Effects of adjunctive therapeutic yoga on pulmonary function and inflammatory markers in young adults with asthma

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder characterized by variable airflow limitation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Although pharmacological management remains the cornerstone of treatment, many individuals continue to experience persistent inflammatory activity and symptom burden. Therapeutic yoga has been proposed as an adjunctive intervention; however, evidence using objective pulmonary and inflammatory outcomes in young adults remains limited. Objective: To evaluate the effects of adjunctive therapeutic yoga on pulmonary function and inflammatory biomarkers in young adults with asthma. Methods: This controlled pilot study enrolled young adults with physician-diagnosed stable mild–moderate asthma. Participants were allocated to either (i) medication plus therapeutic yoga or (ii) medication alone (control). The yoga group received a structured program for 12 weeks, practiced 5 days per week. Spirometric indices forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and inflammatory markers absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed before and after the intervention. Appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were applied, with significance set at p