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Mud therapy is a safe, cost-effective approach for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA), promoting healing through warmth and minerals, providing pain relief, and improving function. The main objective of the current review is to assess the effectiveness of local mud application for pain management in patients with Knee OA. The published papers were obtained from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrails.gov, Web of Science, and references from relevant systematic reviews from 1990 January to February 2023. Trials meeting the predefined criteria were included in this meta-analysis. The main focus of this study was to assess pain as a primary outcome measure. R software version 4.3.1 and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 1 were used to derive meta-analysis and risk of bias in the included studies. A meta-analysis was performed using the fixed-effects model to obtain a summary of treatment effects, which calculated the effect size (standardized mean difference; SMD) along with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI). In the current meta-analysis, a total of ten studies with 560 Knee OA patients were included. Findings demonstrated significant effects of local mud application on pain (SMD: -0.36, 95% CI: -0.56, -0.16), and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale (SMD: -0.49, 95% CI: -0.68, -0.29) for individuals suffering from Knee OA. The current study identified compelling evidence to support the recommendation of mud application as an effective intervention for individuals with Knee OA. While local mud application may serve as a supplementary therapy alongside conventional medical approaches for improved Knee OA management, additional high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Currently, available evidence suggests a positive impact of yoga on physical and psychological well-being in patients across different types of cancer, especially breast cancer survivors. However, there are no available systematic reviews on the effects of yoga on male prostate cancer survivors. The objective of the current systematic review is to specifically examine the quality of life, feasibility, and other effects of yoga on prostate cancer survivors. Methods: Bibliographic databases such as PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched for studies that were conducted till December 2022 to assess the effect of yoga on prostate cancer survivors. Studies that met predefined eligibility criteria were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and for single-arm studies, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used. Results: A comprehensive literature search yielded a total of 137 studies. After careful consideration, this review included five studies involving 129 prostate cancer survivors. The included studies were published between 2012 and 2022. This systematic review observed that yoga has the potential to enhance erectile function, reduce fatigue and urinary symptoms, alleviate psychological stress, boost immune function, and improve the overall quality of life in prostate cancer survivors. Furthermore, it demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating yoga into their regular routine. Conclusions: Yoga could be an effective complementary therapy in the management of physical and psychological symptoms experienced by prostate cancer survivors. However, until more comprehensive evidence becomes available, it would be premature to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of yoga in the context of prostate cancer (PCa). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Yoga and naturopathy (Y&N) is a system of medicine primarily focusing on restoration of health and well-being. Objective of this study is to understand the knowledge, attitude, and perception about Y&N among the inpatients of a government Y&N institution in south India. Methods: Focus group discussion was conducted in eight adult patients aged between 30 and 60 years who took Y&N treatments for a period of 10 days or more. Purposive sampling method was adopted. Oral informed consent was obtained. Results: Knowledge about the Y&N system of medicine was primarily through referral or "word of mouth." Perceived benefits were both physical and psychological. Uniqueness of the hospital as mentioned by participants includes individual attention, tailor-made treatment protocols, and one-to-one care to the needy patients. Conclusion: An integrated approach is very much essential that might bring about better treatment outcomes in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventy-two patients were included for this study, and they found that online yoga and Ayurveda interventions were effective in improving depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with COVID-19. 4 Jerrin RJ, Theebika S, Panneerselvam P, Manavalan N, and Maheshkumar K. Yoga and naturopathy intervention for reducing anxiety and depression of Covid-19 patients - a pilot study. We read the article by Rudra Bhandari with great interest titled "Online Yoga and Ayurveda Intervention as Tertiary Prevention of Psychological Comorbidities in COVID-19 Survivors: A Randomized Controlled Trial".[1] Researchers clearly highlighted the association between psychological comorbidities and COVID-19. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder that has a notable influence on mental well-being, contributing to elevated morbidity and mortality rates. Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concerns among patients with T2D worldwide. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the impact of an online intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) on mental health outcomes (depression and anxiety) in patients with T2D in India. Materials and methods: This retrospective pre-post analysis included adult patients (aged > 18 years) diagnosed with T2D who were enrolled in a diabetes management program in India between June 2021 and June 2023. The intervention consisted of lifestyle modifications such as a customized plant-based diet, regular physical activity, psychological support through group and individual therapy, and medical management. Data were extracted from the electronic database of the clinic, including anthropometry, medical history, biochemical parameters, symptoms of depression, and anxiety (assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7) scale) at the start and end of the six-month intervention period. Results: Of the 1061 eligible patients (177 with prediabetes), 40.3% were female. The mean age, duration of diabetes, and HbA1c levels were 52 ± 10.4 years, 9.8 ± 7.8 years, and 8 ± 1.7%, respectively. The prevalence of symptoms of depression and anxiety (ranging from mild to severe) was 46% and 44.3%, respectively, which reduced to 28.7% and 29.2%, respectively, post-intervention. Conclusion: Integrated ILI successfully improved the symptoms of anxiety and depression, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that includes diet, physical activity, psychological support, and medical management in enhancing mental health outcomes among patients with T2D. Future prospective studies are needed to explore the long-term effects of such interventions and develop effective strategies for promoting mental health in diverse populations. Trial registration: The study was approved by the Freedom from Diabetes Research Foundation Institutional Ethics Committee (approval number FFDRF/IEC/2024/7) and registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2024/03/064596, registered on March 21, 2024). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 60-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who participated in a research project on the measurement of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and plasma glucose levels for the monitoring of glycemic status in T2DM. Topics discussed include the screening process of the patient, the efficiency and application of HbA1c for glycemic control assessment, and the β-cell-centric approach.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition characterized by increased pressure around the brain, leading to symptoms including vision changes, headaches, and other neurological issues. The effect of yoga nidra on IIH is still unexplored. This case study investigates the effect of yoga nidra on a 16-year-old female with a known case of IIH with episodic seizures. The patient underwent yoga nidra for six months. The patient's sleep quality, stress, and pain levels were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The results suggest that yoga nidra had a positive effect in improving sleep quality and reducing the stress level, pain, and reoccurrence of IIH. Hence, future studies with control groups are required to validate the current report findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving diabetes remission (HbA1c<48mmol/mol without the use of anti-diabetic medication for 3 months) might not assure restoration of a normal glycemic profile [fasting blood sugar level <5.6 mmol/L and Post-Prandial (PP) blood glucose <7.8mmol/L]. The study investigates the factors associated with OGTT clearance in patients under type 2 diabetes remission. Four hundred participants who achieved remission during a one-year online structured lifestyle modification program, which included a plant-based diet, physical activity, psychological support, and medical management (between January 2021 and June 2022), and appeared for the OGTT were included in the study. OGTT clearance was defined by fasting blood glucose < 5.6 mmol/L and 2-hour post-prandial blood glucose <7.8 mmol/L post-consumption of 75g glucose solution. Of the 400 participants, 207 (52%) cleared OGTT and 175 (44%) had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). A shorter diabetes duration (<5 years) was significantly associated with OGTT clearance (p<0.05). Pre-intervention use of glucose-lowering drugs showed no association with OGTT clearance (p<0.1). Post-intervention, the OGTT-cleared group showed significantly higher weight loss (p<0.05) and a decrease in HbA1c compared to the IGT group (p<0.05). Improvement in Insulin resistance and β-cell function was also higher in the OGTT-cleared group compared to the IGT group (p<0.05). In conclusion, clearing the OGTT is a possibility for those achieving remission through lifestyle interventions. Higher weight loss, a shorter duration of diabetes, and improvement in insulin resistance were significantly associated with OGTT clearance in participants in remission. Future randomized controlled trials with longer follow-ups may help substantiate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission is being widely accepted and documented as feasible through calorie restriction and bariatric surgery. Recent studies with lifestyle changes have also shown T2D remission; however, long-term remission through lifestyle modifications is not yet established. Though glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a universally accepted indicator of glycemic status, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) would be a more robust marker in understanding whether the metabolic abnormalities in glucose metabolism have undergone complete remission as well. We present a case series of four patients enrolled in the Holistic Transformation Program, a lifestyle modification program, between 2016 and 2018. The intervention was a combination of a vegan diet, structured exercises, and stress management delivered over 12 months. All four patients successfully achieved T2D remission and cleared OGTT consecutively for a minimum period of 3 years. Our findings suggest that long-term T2D remission may be possible through lifestyle modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute phase insulin secretion is disturbed in individuals with prediabetes. We have previously shown a significant risk reduction in 4,417 prediabetes individuals through Yoga. The present study explores yoga's mechanism of action. Method: This randomized control trial included 42 (20 yoga;22 walkings;5 days/ week, 3Months) prediabetes (fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dl) adults between 23 to 50 years. Serum Insulin and C peptide were assessed at 0, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 30,60and 90th minutes after 75grams of oral glucose. Pre-post assessments included fasting Glucose, HOMA%B(derived), GLP-1, free Triiodothyronine, perceived stress, and Heart rate variability. Results: There was a significant increase in the 10th minute (acute phase) Insulin and c-peptide levels in the yoga as compared to the control group. Improvement in GLP-1 and HOMA%B was significantly better in yoga than walking group. Yoga group also showed positive change in perceived stress and HRV. Simple linear regression of post data using acute phase Insulin as the dependent variable indicated a significant association between all measures(R2 = 0.806; p =<0.001). Conclusion: The shift to normoglycemia, due to an increase in acute phase insulin release, was associated with improved autonomic balance and reduced stress after yoga. More studies may confirm this unique first time observation. Disclosure: R. Nagarathna: None. J. Kurian: None. V. Vijayakumar: None. H. R. Nagendra: None. R. N. Mavathur: None. Funding: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India (Z.28015-HPC (EMR)-AYUSH-B) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]