BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Alcoholism is one of the major health issues of the society posing a risk on an individual’s life and socio economic development of the world. Various conventional treatment modalities have been used as a remedy for alcoholism. But the medications and the therapies have always found to have a side effect on an individual. Yoga is found to have a wonderful tool to treat alcoholism. Cyclic Meditation, a combination of asana and guided relaxation technique where the mind is stimulated and relaxed alternatively which is cost effective tool to manage these symptoms. The main objectives of the study are to assess whether cyclic meditation is having effect on controlling withdrawal symptoms, balance and gait, quality of sleep and quality of life among alcoholic dependent individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of eighty two alcoholic dependent individuals has been selected from de–addiction camp and were recruited for this study after they meet  the inclusion and exclusion criteria and for the screening of the subjects Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire is been used. Group one cyclic meditation group comprised of a cyclic meditation intervention and group two control group. Subjects in both the groups were randomized. Subjects in the group one practiced cyclic meditation for a period of 10 days. While the group two, control group carried on its routine activities. Both the groups were assessed for balance, gait, withdrawal symptoms, quality of sleep and quality of life at baseline that is at day one and day ten.                                          

RESULTS:

The present study was conducted to evaluate whether practice of cyclic meditation had influence in any of the outcome variables viz., withdrawal symptoms, balance and gait, quality of sleep, quality of life in alcohol dependent individuals. Results were assessed in between the groups and within the group. Data was extracted at both baseline and post–intervention. When the both groups are compared there was a significant results seen in the withdrawal symptoms, balance and gait, quality of sleep, quality of life P value < 0.0001.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION:

Ten days of cyclic meditation practice has shown to bring a positive influence in alcoholic dependent individuals in improving withdrawal symptoms balance, gait, quality of sleep and quality of life.