Author(s): A Gajalakshmi, CV Jayanthy and S Natarajan

Abstract:
The present investigation, entitled "To explore the relationship between cervical spondylosis and blood pressure concerning yogic interventions", was undertaken to examine the impact of selected yogic practices on systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels among women diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. For the purpose of the study, thirty middle-aged women professionals in the age group of 35 to 40 years from the Pondicherry region were selected through purposive sampling. The participants were randomly assigned into two groups, Experimental Group (N=15) and Control Group (N=15). The Experimental Group underwent a structured yoga protocol, while the Control Group did not participate in any specific intervention. The yoga protocol for the Experimental Group comprised a combination of selected yogasanas and pranayama, administered for one hour per day, five days a week, over a period of eight weeks. Pre-test and post-test data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure were collected for both groups using standardized procedures. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results revealed a statistically significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels among the participants in the Experimental Group following the intervention, as compared to the Control Group. The F-ratio was significant at the 0.05 level, indicating the effectiveness of the yogic practices in modulating cardiovascular parameters. Furthermore, supplementary assessments showed notable improvements in abdominal muscle strength and flexibility levels among participants in the Experimental Group. These findings affirm the potential role of yoga as a non-pharmacological, complementary therapy for managing blood pressure and improving musculoskeletal health in individuals with cervical spondylosis. The study concludes that yogic interventions can serve as an effective therapeutic modality in reducing blood pressure and enhancing physical well-being among women suffering from cervical spondylosis. The implications of this study are relevant to both the fields of yoga therapy and integrative healthcare.

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