Comparison of the Effects of Yoga and Conventional Physiotherapy Programs in Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease, characterized by the formation of immune granulomas with various clinical symptoms depending on the involved organs, which can involve many organs and systems associated with emotional and physical consequences that affect the quality of life, whose cause is unknown, but usually affects the respiratory system, and occurs mostly in young and middle-aged adults. Lung involvement, seen in 95% of patients, causes limitation of lung capacity and decrease in inspiratory muscle strength, which are important factors that lead to an increase in dyspnea and a decrease in walking distance. In addition to respiratory muscle weakness, skeletal muscle dysfunction is also frequently observed. The most common symptoms in sarcoidosis are dyspnea and fatigue. When the current literature is examined, it can be seen that studies on non-pharmacological treatment methods in Sarcoidosis are quite limited. Although relatively common in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), various studies conducted in patients with Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Asthma have shown that yoga results in a decrease in dyspnea and fatigue, and an increase in pulmonary functions and exercise capacity. On the other hand, no study has been found on yogic techniques in Sarcoidosis. Aim of this study is to investigate the effects of yogic techniques and conventional physiotherapy program on pulmonary functions, body oxygen level test (BOLT), exercise capacity (6MWT), anxiety, depression, fatigue, dyspnea perception, sleep quality, and quality of life in sarcoidosis cases at different stages. In these patients known to have multisystem involvement, holistic approaches gain importance due to the nature of the disease.