Randomized trial of yoga as a complementary therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis

METHODS: A total of 1009 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were screened and 73 were alternately allocated to yoga or breathe awareness groups. RESULTS: At the end of 2 months, the yoga group showed a significant reduction in symptom scores, and an increase in weight, FVC and FEV(1). The breath awareness group also showed a significant reduction in symptom scores, and an increase in weight and FEV(1). Significantly more patients in the yoga group showed sputum conversion based on microscopy on days 30 and 45 compared to the breath awareness group. Improvement in the radiographic picture occurred in 16/25 of the yoga group compared to 3/22 of the breath awareness group on day 60. The improved level of infection, radiographic picture, FVC, weight gain and reduced symptoms in the yoga group suggest a complementary role for yoga in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis.