The Effects of Yoga Practice on Glycemic Control and Self-Care Among Low Socioeconomic Status Women with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), as in the rest of the world, adversely affects the health of socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Yoga is an adaptable, low-cost, and side-effect-free intervention that may support glycemic control and self-care behavior. Aim: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week yoga program on glycemic control and diabetes self-care among women with T2DM from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods: A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 women recruited from an endocrinology outpatient clinic in Turkey’s Marmara Region. Participants were randomly assigned to either a yoga group (n = 35) or a control group (n = 35). The yoga group attended 1-h sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks. The control group received standard diabetes care and weekly follow-up calls. Glycemic values and self-care scores were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: At week 12, the yoga group showed a significant reduction in fasting glucose (mean = 88 mg/dL) compared to the control group (130 mg/dL) (P < 0.001). Hemoglobin A1C decreased to 7.21% in the yoga group and increased to 8.39% in the control group (P = 0.008). Self-care improved in the yoga group (87.14) and declined in the control group (81.26) (P = 0.030). No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The 12-week yoga intervention was effective in improving glycemic control and diabetes self-care behaviors among socioeconomically disadvantaged women with T2DM. Yoga may serve as a feasible nonpharmacological adjunct to standard diabetes management.