Effect of non-pharmacological interventions on adults with cardiovascular risk in a rural community

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with three-fourth of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like India. Currently, three out of the top five causes of morbidity and mortality in the country are NCDs. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the impact of non-pharmacological interventions as a comprehensive approach toward adults with cardiovascular risk in Indian rural communities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a quasi-experimental study conducted in Rishikesh, a holy city of Uttarakhand known as the world’s yoga capital at the foothills of Himalaya. Out of 87 villages, four villages were randomly selected. Eighty-eight participants were enrolled (22 from each village and household). It was a multi-stage random sampling. All the participants with cardiovascular risk and age >30 years were recruited. Pregnant, severely ill, and unwilling to consent were excluded. Non-pharmacological intervention as a comprehensive approach, including yoga, meditation, mental health counseling, dietary counseling, tobacco, and alcohol cessation counseling has been provided to cardiovascular risk participants. RESULTS: Data of 76 participants were analyzed as the per-protocol analysis method. The drop-out rate was 13.63%. Male and female participants were 52 (68.4%) and 24 (31.6%) in number. Mean age of the participants was 55.28 ± 13.64 years. Diastolic blood pressure or DBP (P = 0.017*), systolic blood pressure or SBP (P = 0.008**), waist circumference (WC) (P = 0.000**), waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.000**) and waist-to-height ratio (P = 0.000**) significantly improved in the post intervention group. CONCLUSION: Non-pharmacological interventions as a comprehensive approach can significantly reduce modifiable risk factors for cardio-metabolic disease.