Effectiveness of Integrative Yoga Therapy and Naturopathy on Psychological Well-Being among Stroke Survivors: A Case Study

Abstract

Stroke (cerebrovascular accident—CVA) is a major cause of long-term physical disability and cognitive and psychological difficulties. Post-stroke psychological problems, including stress, anxiety, and depression, can adversely affect functional recovery and the quality of life of survivors. Yoga and Naturopathy may serve as complementary, non-pharmacological approaches that support the management of psychological difficulties and promote overall well-being among stroke survivors. However, evidence regarding their combined application for post-stroke recovery remains limited. The present case study is of a 42-year-old male with a history of hypertension who presented with left-sided weakness, pain, swelling, impaired gait, partial loss of limb function, and mild speech difficulty following an acute ischemic stroke. After receiving conventional medical treatment, the patient enrolled in a 10-day integrative yoga and naturopathy camp at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. Throughout the program, the patient was introduced to therapeutic yoga practices such as Shatkarma (yogic cleansing), Asanas (physical postures), Pranayama (yogic breathing), Mudra (hand gestures), and Dhyana (meditation) for 90 mins daily in  the morning, along with Naturopathic therapies, including massage, mud packs, hydrotherapy, sun bath, and acupressure for 10 days. These interventions were complemented by a Sattvic diet and a supportive spiritual environment of daily yagya and mantra chantings. Following the 10-day therapy, the patient showed reductions in perceived stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, with PSS-10, GAD-7, and PHQ-9 scores decreasing from 12 to 6, 7 to 3, and 11 to 10, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest that integrated yoga and naturopathy may have a supportive role in promoting psychological well-being during post-stroke recovery.