Ahmedabad: ‘Covid Rehabilitation Protocol’ based on Yoga/pranayam breathing techniques implemented by Institute of Kidney Diseases & Research Centre (IKDRC) helped hundreds of covid-19 patients recover sooner coupled with lesser number of hospitalization days, an empirical study by the institute said.

Breathing techniques based on Yoga/Pranayam, since May last year, for covid-19 patients as well as hospital staff on covid duty not only reduced stress and anxiety but reinforced overall well-being of the patients who attended the sessions.

“Conscious breathing rejuvenates circulatory and respiratory system which in turn ensure better delivery of nutrition and medication to areas under infection,” explained Dr Viral Trivedi, Associate Professor-Department of Anesthesiology at the institute. According to him, breathing techniques based upon principles of yoga shown extremely good results in patients who were admitted in the hospital since last year with mild to moderate covid-19 symptoms.

The institute adopted a holistic approach in rehabilitation protocol by combining good practices of deep conscious breathing techniques based on yoga and pranayam to help fasten recovery of patients and de-stress institute’s staff on covid duty. “Covid duty was taxing on physical and psychological state of our staff which was contained through deep breathing and yoga that relaxes mind and helps release neurotransmitters”, said Dr Trivedi.

As per an estimate, humans involuntarily take 25,000 breaths a day that roughly translates into only 30 percent of lung capacity. Still it leaves a huge scope for improving lung capacity. Nevertheless, a conscious inhale and exhale breaths which makes a difference in regulating nervous and immune system. The protocol also helped the institute manage its resources and supply well. “We saved hundreds of litres of oxygen due to ‘Covid Rehabilitation protocol’ and brought down hospitalization by atleast two days among moderately infected covid patients,” said Dr Vineet Mishra, Director-IKDRC-ITS. He added that on the occasion of International Yoga Day the institute has decided to continue with ‘Covid Rehabilitation Protocol’ for breathing techniques for patients and staff till corona pandemic ends.