Integrative Mind-Body Therapies for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Pre-Post Interventional Study among Secondary School Teachers

Abstract

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) affects approximately 25% of the global adult population, with teachers representing a particularly vulnerable group due to sedentary work patterns, irregular routines, and chronic occupational stress. Integrative mind-body therapies may offer multifaceted benefits addressing both physiological and psychological determinants of NAFLD. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an integrated intervention combining Raja Yoga Meditation, Yoga, Varma therapy, dietary counselling, and lifestyle modification among secondary school teachers diagnosed with Grade I or Grade II NAFLD. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was employed with 30 participants (25-60 years) recruited through purposive sampling. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included liver function tests (ALT, AST), ultrasonography grading, body mass index, waist circumference, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and WHOQOL-BREF. The 8-week structured intervention comprised daily Raja Yoga meditation (30 min), daily Yoga practice (45 min), Varma therapy (three times/week), weekly dietary counselling, and lifestyle modification recommendations. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, with significance set at p<0.05. Post-intervention analysis revealed statistically significant reductions in ALT (54.6±22.3 to 34.2±14.8 U/L, p<0.001), AST (46.8±18.5 to 30.6±12.1 U/L, p<0.001), BMI (28.4±4.2 to 26.8±3.9kg/m², p<0.001), and waist circumference (94.3±10.8 to 90.1±10.2 cm, p<0.001). Perceived stress scores decreased significantly (24.6±6.8 to 16.4±5.2, p<0.001), while quality of life improved across all domains (p<0.001). Ultrasonographic assessment showed significant improvement, with 83.3% of participants demonstrating regression in fatty liver grade. The integrated mind-body intervention produced significant improvements in hepatic, anthropometric, and psychosocial outcomes among teachers with NAFLD, suggesting that such approaches may serve as effective complementary strategies for managing NAFLD in high-stress occupational populations. Future randomized controlled trials with larger samples and longer follow-up are warranted.