Effects of Yogic Practices Synchronized With Bandha and Kumbhaka on Biological and Psychological Factors of Aging in COVID-19-Recovered Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background and objectives Accelerated biological aging and age-associated diseases are strong risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Oxidative stress (OS) and anemia are possible pathophysiological causes of the various organ dysfunctions observed during COVID-19, decreasing health and life span. Ancient Yogic science seems to optimize all dimensions of human existence. As mentioned in ancient Yogic scriptures and documented in various studies, Yoga has been found to control accelerated biological aging and associated diseases. The study's objective was to authenticate and look into the effect of Yogic practices specifically synchronized with Kumbhaka and Bandha on markers of accelerated aging. Methods This randomized controlled trial was carried out in Mahendergarh city of Haryana on COVID-19-recovered adults aged between 30 and 60 years; 126 adults were randomized into two groups from Mahendergarh city: a control group (CG), 61 adults, and the experimental group (EG), 65 adults. During the final analysis, 56 adults in the experimental group received Yogic intervention for 120 days, and 61 adults remained the same in the control group during the intervention period. Consenting participants were randomized using computer-generated block randomization. The Yogic intervention was done 60 minutes/day five days a week for six months. Both groups' laboratory tests were carried out, which included malondialdehyde (MDA) level, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH) levels, hemoglobin (Hgb) level, body mass index (BMI), mental stress (perceived stress), and quality of life (QOL), which were estimated before and after the Yogic intervention. Results Yoga practice for 120 days (three mandals) in the experimental group has significantly reduced MDA level (p = 0.03) and perceived stress level (Perceived Stress Scale {PSS}) (p = 0.047), and BMI decreased in the Yoga group from 24.2 ± 4.8 to 23.6 ± 4.8, but no significant difference was observed in the values of BMI (p = 0.54). Improved antioxidant levels such as GSH level (p = 0.02), serum ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)/TAC activity (p = 0.04), and Hgb level (p = 0.02) were reported; with this, improved quality of life, World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Physical (p = 0.03), WHOQOL Psychological (p = 0.02), WHOQOL Social (p = 0.04), and WHOQOL Environment (p = 0.006), has been observed in the experimental group, whereas in the control group, we observed no significant difference in MDA level (p = 0.38), GSH level (p = 0.97), TAC level (p = 0.96), Hgb level (p = 1), BMI (p = 0.85), PSS (p = 0.83), and quality of life, WHOQOL Physical (p = 0.37), WHOQOL Psychological (p = 0.88), WHOQOL Social (p = 0.96), and WHOQOL Environment (p = 0.32). Conclusion These findings suggest that Yoga synchronized with Kumbhaka and Bandha may be a useful strategy for lowering oxidative stress and mental stress and improving antioxidant defense, hemoglobin level, and overall quality of life in COVID-19-recovered people, which might help reverse the biological decline of the human body and mind. The results of this study show that Yoga may break the link between old age and ill health. Hence, Yoga (with Bandha and Kumbhaka)