Impact of Mind-Body Intervention on Waist Circumference and Low-Density Lipoprotein on Females with Hypothyroidism

Abstract

Background: Underactive thyroid discrepancy in females with hypothyroidism causes increase in cholesterol levels, weight, blood pressure, cardiovascular complications, imbalanced heart rate and depression. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in India is 11%, compared with only 2% in the UK and 4·6% in the USA (Bagcchi S., 2014). The highest prevalence of hypothyroidism (13·1%) is noted in middle aged women between 35 and 60 years of age (Unnikrishnan A et.al, 2011). Mind – Body Intervention is proven to be effective approach in reducing weight, dyslipidaemia, depression, cardiovascular and respiratory issues and balancing the autonomic nervous system. This Human Ethical Committee approved study used the yoga and ayurvedic diet as a mind body intervention, to treat hypothyroidism in females.

Aim & Objective: To evaluate the impact of Mind- Body Intervention on Waist Circumference (WC) and Low -Density Lipoprotein (LDL) on females with Hypothyroidism.

Methods: 20 females diagnosed with hypothyroidism were recruited for the investigation and randomly divided into group I (Mind- Body Intervention) and group II (control group- no training) for 12-weeks intervention period. Baseline reports were collected before and after the intervention for both groups on Waist Circumference and Low -Density Lipoprotein

Statistical tool: Paired T- test was performed to find the differences within and between the groups respectively. Test of significance was fixed at 0.001 level of confidence.

Results: It was proven that there is a significant decrease in WC (80.06 ± 3.307, P<0.045) & LDL (106.40 ± 6.670, P<0.101) in group I as compared to the group II were there was no significant difference in WC (87.30 ± 3.945, P < 0.000) & LDL (147 ± 6.182, P < 0,001) after twelve weeks of intervention using paired t-test. Group I show a significant improvement on group comparison WC (7.400 ± 2.836, P < 0.000) & LDL (47.300 ± 6.019, P < 0.000).

Conclusion: It is concluded Mind – Body Intervention helps in decreasing WC & LDL in females with hypothyroidism. Hence, mind – body approach can be a cost-effective treatment in improving physical health in hypothyroidism