Effects of a Yoga Intervention on Helplessness and Blood Pressure Among Adult Males with Chronic Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is associated with psychological distress, particularly helplessness, and elevated blood pressure. Yoga as a complementary intervention lacks robust evidence in Indian clinical settings.

This single-arm, non-randomized pretest-posttest study enrolled 34 adult males (age 21-40) with DSM-5 alcohol dependence at a government-supported de-addiction center in India. Twenty-eight completed a six-week group-based Hatha yoga intervention (five sessions/week, instructor-led; 70% asana, 20% pranayama, 10% meditation;≥85% attendance required). The primary outcome was self-reported helplessness measured by the Self-Managerial Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR; 0-100, higher scores=greater helplessness). Secondary outcomes included systolic and diastolic blood pressure (measured with a manual sphygmomanometer, non-dominant arm). Paired-samples t-tests quantified mean pre-post changes, with analyses exploratory and no multiplicity adjustment.

Mean Helplessness Scale (HS-MGBR) scores declined from 81.2 (SD=7.8) to 75.4 (SD=7.2) [t(27)=4.93, P<.0000368]. Systolic blood pressure reduced from 133.2 (SD=6.4) mmHg to 126.4 (SD=6.7) mmHg [t(27)=6.28, P<.00000102], and diastolic from 86.7 (SD=4.6) mmHg to 81.2 (SD=4.4) mmHg [t(27)=7.02, P<.000000151], using paired t-tests. No serious intervention-related adverse events occurred.

The Six-week structured yoga program was associated with moderate, significant reductions in both helplessness and blood pressure among men with alcohol dependence in residential care. Yoga shows promise as a feasible adjunct to addiction treatment. Controlled studies are warranted to confirm effects.