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Rachel V Thomas

Yoga Shows Promise for Anxiety Relief And Seizure Control In Epilepsy, Claims AIIMS Study

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/epilepsy">Epilepsy</a> is one of the most common neurological disorders and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Research has suggested that associated conditions, such as stigma, anxiety, and depression, can sometimes be more debilitating than the seizures themselves.

Stigma related to epilepsy can exist at both societal and individual levels, with many patients experiencing feelings of shame, fear, discrimination, and social isolation.

Now, research led by AIIMS New Delhi has suggested that yoga may help reduce epilepsy-related stigma while also improving seizure control. The 2023 study, published in Neurology, found that yoga-based interventions may offer benefits for both mental well-being and disease management.

“Yoga has been clinically proven to reduce the ‘felt stigma’ associated with epilepsy. By alleviating anxiety and improving both mindfulness and overall quality of life, mind-body interventions empower individuals to feel more in control and less socially isolated,” lead author Dr. Manjari Tripathi, Head of the Department of Neurology at AIIMS, told HealthandMe.

According to Dr. Manjari, the study identified three key benefits of yoga for people living with epilepsy:

<ul><li>Stigma Reduction: Patients who participated in a six-month yoga and psychoeducation program reported a significant reduction in perceived stigma compared with the control group.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Improved Seizure Control: The yoga intervention was associated with a higher rate of seizure reduction. "Participants were more than four times as likely to experience a greater than 50% reduction in seizures and were significantly more likely to achieve complete seizure remission," Dr. Manjari told HealthandMe.</li></ul>

<ul><li>Better Mental Health: Yoga practice was linked to lower anxiety levels, improved emotional regulation, and reduced cognitive impairment.</li></ul>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/yogas-increasing-role-as-great-soft-power-and-preventive-healthcare-ayush-secretary-article-154394638" data-type="tilCustomLink">Yoga's Increasing Role As Great Soft Power And Preventive Healthcare: Ayush Secretary</a>

Dr. Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry at AIIMS, told HealthandMe that yoga reduced the burden of epilepsy and improved the overall quality of life in epilepsy patients by reducing the perceived stigma. The overall quality of life was also improved in the yoga group.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/congo-ebola-cases-rise-to-676-fifa-world-cup-team-arrives-in-us-after-quarantine-article-154581414" data-type="tilCustomLink">Congo Ebola Cases Rise to 676; FIFA World Cup Team Arrives in US After Quarantine</a>

Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial involving 160 adults with epilepsy who were followed for six months. Participants were assigned either a structured yoga program or a sham yoga intervention, while both groups also received epilepsy-related psychoeducation.

The <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/ayush-ministry-shares-yoga-ayurveda-tips-to-beat-heatwave-stress-article-154374218" data-type="tilCustomLink">yoga </a> program included loosening exercises , breathing techniques, meditation, and positive affirmations.

While the impact on seizure frequency was reduced compared with the control group, the researchers cautioned that larger studies are needed to conclusively determine the effect of yoga on seizure control.

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Further, mood disturbances have been common among people with epilepsy and often remain inadequately addressed, particularly in developing countries. 

According to the researchers, yoga may offer a scalable and accessible option for helping patients manage these challenges alongside conventional treatment.

Dr. Rajesh further told HealthandMe that yoga has well-established benefits for mental health.

“Yoga is important in mental health care, and it has been found that the three important things, which are pranayama, that is, breathing techniques, asanas, that is, physical posture, and dhyana, that is, meditation, have a positive effect on anxiety and even depression, and also improve sleep".

He added that yoga can help reduce stress, improve mood, lower anxiety levels, and enhance sleep quality.

“There is substantial evidence from around the world showing that yoga can benefit people living with certain mental health disorders,” he said.

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Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Research has suggested that associated conditions, such as stigma, anxiety, and depression, can sometimes be more debilitating than the seizures themselves.Stigma related to epilepsy can exist at both societal and individual levels, with many patients experiencing feelings of shame, fear, discrimination, and social isolation.Now, research led by AIIMS New Delhi has suggested that yoga may help reduce epilepsy-related stigma while also improving seizure control. The 2023 study, published in Neurology, found that yoga-based interventions may offer benefits for both mental well-being and disease management.“Yoga has been clinically proven to reduce the ‘felt stigma’ associated with epilepsy. By alleviating anxiety and improving both mindfulness and overall quality of life, mind-body interventions empower individuals to feel more in control and less socially isolated,” lead author Dr. Manjari Tripathi, Head of the Department of Neurology at AIIMS, told HealthandMe.What Did the Study Find?According to Dr. Manjari, the study identified three key benefits of yoga for people living with epilepsy:Stigma Reduction: Patients who participated in a six-month yoga and psychoeducation program reported a significant reduction in perceived stigma compared with the control group.Improved Seizure Control: The yoga intervention was associated with a higher rate of seizure reduction. "Participants were more than four times as likely to experience a greater than 50% reduction in seizures and were significantly more likely to achieve complete seizure remission," Dr. Manjari told HealthandMe.Better Mental Health: Yoga practice was linked to lower anxiety levels, improved emotional regulation, and reduced cognitive impairment.Also read: Yoga's Increasing Role As Great Soft Power And Preventive Healthcare: Ayush SecretaryDr. Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry at AIIMS, told HealthandMe that yoga reduced the burden of epilepsy and improved the overall quality of life in epilepsy patients by reducing the perceived stigma. The overall quality of life was also improved in the yoga group.How Was the Study Conducted?Read More: Congo Ebola Cases Rise to 676; FIFA World Cup Team Arrives in US After QuarantineResearchers conducted a randomized clinical trial involving 160 adults with epilepsy who were followed for six months. Participants were assigned either a structured yoga program or a sham yoga intervention, while both groups also received epilepsy-related psychoeducation.The yoga  program included loosening exercises , breathing techniques, meditation, and positive affirmations. While the impact on seizure frequency was reduced compared with the control group, the researchers cautioned that larger studies are needed to conclusively determine the effect of yoga on seizure control.Yoga For Mental Health       Further, mood disturbances have been common among people with epilepsy and often remain inadequately addressed, particularly in developing countries. According to the researchers, yoga may offer a scalable and accessible option for helping patients manage these challenges alongside conventional treatment.Dr. Rajesh further told HealthandMe that yoga has well-established benefits for mental health.“Yoga is important in mental health care, and it has been found that the three important things, which are pranayama, that is, breathing techniques, asanas, that is, physical posture, and dhyana, that is, meditation, have a positive effect on anxiety and even depression, and also improve sleep".He added that yoga can help reduce stress, improve mood, lower anxiety levels, and enhance sleep quality.“There is substantial evidence from around the world showing that yoga can benefit people living with certain mental health disorders,” he said.

yoga shows promise for anxiety relief and seizure control in epilepsy, claims aiims study

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Yoga Shows Promise for Anxiety Relief And Seizure Control In Epilepsy, Claims AIIMS Study

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