Investigating the effect of yoga exercises on self-awareness and mental balance in women with multiple sclerosis

This study aimed to investigate the effects of yoga exercises on self-awareness and mental balance in women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Borujerd city. The research employed a correlational method with structural equation modeling approach, with a statistical population of 300 MS-affected women selected through convenience sampling. The training program consisted of 12 weeks of yoga exercises, three 60-minute sessions per week. Research instruments included questionnaires measuring self-awareness, mental balance, visual-spatial development, perceived physical fitness, and athletic mindfulness, administered in both pre-test and post-test phases. Data analysis was performed using AMOS software version 24. Results indicated that visual-spatial development (p<0.01), perceived physical fitness (p<0.05), and athletic mindfulness (p<0.01) had significant effects on patients' self-awareness and mental balance. Furthermore, the proposed model demonstrated that yoga exercises led to increased self-awareness in patients through the mediating variables of mental balance and self-control (p<0.001). These findings highlight the importance of yoga as a complementary method in improving the quality of life for MS patients and suggest its potential as an effective non-pharmacological intervention that can be incorporated into rehabilitation programs for these patients.