The
full name of my project is “Assessing the efficacy of yoga in the management of
uncontrollable type 2 diabetes mellitus in comparison to standard exercise.”
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing global epidemic that is creeping
towards pandemic proportions. The spread of the disease globally has been
attributed to the adoption of more Western-style diets and sedentary
lifestyles. As a result, the only way to combat the disease, in both treatment
and preventative measures, is through lifestyle changes. Changes must occur in
diet, usually through the incorporation of a low glycemic diet, and an increase
in physical activity.
This
summer, I have been working under the Ayurveda department. Ayurveda is a
traditional form of medicine that has existed in India all the way back to the
Vedas. ‘ayur’ means life and ‘veda’ is knowledge in Sanskrit. Ayurveda is
considered the knowledge of life and takes a more holistic approach to
medicine, looking at the mind, body, and soul. Many eastern medicine
traditions, like Traditional Chinese medicine, is based on Ayurveda. To this
day, many Indians, especially those in tribal communities, continue to consult
Ayurvedic doctors and treatment for illness. At Vivekananda Memorial Hospital,
it is unique to see how they how house both allopathic and western medicine
under the same roof and how they work together.
For
my project, we are targeting the physical activity aspect of diabetes
management. We are trying to see if yoga is an effective treatment for diabetes
management. In our study, we will be looking at patients with cases of
uncontrollable diabetes. For 15 days, I will be teaching one group of patients
yoga exercise and will compare the results of their blood sugar tests to those
of another group of patients that will be performing the standard exercise
regimen already recommended by the hospital. Then, about one week, the patients
will come again for their monthly check-up, and from there we will evaluate if
there is a significant difference in blood sugar levels between the yoga group
and standard exercise group.
However,
during my last weekend, my project had taken a turn and evolved into a yoga
appeal survey. Before starting any research project or study, it is crucial to
understand the cultural context and appropriateness of the intervention. Yoga
has a rich history in India, with health benefits that are widely known.
However, through my survey, it became apparent that there are many
preconceptions and barriers preventing patients from utilizing the practice for
their health. From this survey, I had found many ways to address these
barriers, including the creations of a yoga handbook for reference and demo
videos.
Through
my project work, I have been taking yoga classes with the yoga therapist, along
with and with the help of Indian physiotherapy students at the hospital. I have
also gotten to participate in two diabetes camps where I was able to meet and
connect with the VHM doctors, newly doctors from JSS medical college currently
doing their internship, and other students. My project work will also allow me
to interact with patients at a more interactive level. I am honored to have been
placed in Saragur at Vivekananda Memorial Hospital and immensely grateful to
SVYM for the opportunity to work with them, such an important and impactful
organization here in India.
