Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by bothersome epigastric pain or burning, fullness after meals or early satiety. The precise pathophysiology remains incompletely understood but may include the role of disordered gut-brain communication leading to disturbances in gastro-duodenal physiological functioning. Even if there are several pharmacological treatment options, it is a chronic and relapsing disorder with persistent symptoms that makes its management difficult. Yoga is a fast-spreading complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) specialty, that has gained attention in the medical field for its ability to address the physical, emotional, mental and social aspects of health and disease. Various other CAM therapies are being used for FD with varying efficacy. However, apart from one research study that used yoga therapy on abdominal pain related functional gastrointestinal disorders in children which included a few FD cases as well (11.6%), no other study using yoga therapy has been done in FD as per our best knowledge. Therefore, in the present review, we have summarized the current scientific understanding of the probable effects of yoga on the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in FD (gastric motility, fundic accommodation, hypersensitivity, duodenal inflammation, psychological distress and gut-brain dysfunction). The literature suggests yoga can have a beneficial role in the management of FD. However, rigorous research and clinical trials are required to confirm the same.
Dyspepsia , Gastrointestinal Diseases , Yoga , Child , Humans , Dyspepsia/diagnosis , Abdominal Pain , Postprandial Period
Context: Intraocular pressure (IOP) increases during "sirasasana" and may be a risk factor for the progression of glaucoma. Other "head below heart" asanas may also cause increase in IOP. Aims: To determine the change in IOP following three "head below the heart" postures-"meruasana", "viparithakarni," and "sarvangasana". Settings and Design: Prospective observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital over 3 weeks. Materials and Methods: Willing, regular yoga practitioners recruited by purposive sampling performed "meruasana", "viparithakarni," and "sarvangasana" in random order according to a 3 × 3 periods cross over study design after baseline measurement of IOP, blood pressure (BP), and pulse rate. Each asana was held for 30 s. Within 15-30 s of completion of asana, IOP, BP, and pulse rate were recorded. There was an interval of 30 min between the asanas. Statistical Analysis Used: Normality of data was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Repeated measures of ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons was used to compare changes in IOP, BP, pulse rate following asana. P ≤ 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: There were 33 participants with a mean age of 29.6 ± 10.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26.02, 33.18). The mean baseline IOP was 15.5 ± 3.4 mm Hg (95% CI: 14.34, 16.66) in the right eye and 16.7 ± 3.4 mm Hg (95% CI: 15.54, 17.86) in the left eye. IOP showed a significant reduction following each of the three asanas (P < 0.0001). However, neither pulse rate (P = 0.53) nor BP (P = 0.27) showed any change following the asanas. Conclusions: "Meruasana," "viparithakarni," and "sarvangasana" when held for 30 s by healthy yoga practitioners resulted in post-asana drop in IOP with no significant change in pulse rate or BP.
Functional Dyspepsia (FD), commonly called chronic indigestion, comes under the umbrella of 'Disorders of Gut-Brain Axis'. It manifests as a cluster of upper gastrointestinal symptoms including epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness and early satiety. Since the pathophysiology is complex, it is often difficult to effectively manage and significantly impacts the patient's quality of life. This case series aims to elucidate the role of Yoga as an adjuvant therapy to modern medicine in providing relief of dyspeptic symptoms in such patients. Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practise that has the potential to be used for various brain-gut disorders. Apart from treating the gut disorders from top down (mind-gut) pathway, it may have more direct physiological effects as well. Researches on IBS and one research on abdominal pain related FGID have shown Yoga therapy to be effective in ameliorating the symptoms. In this study, we present three such cases (1 male and 2 female) having a clinical diagnosis of FD in detail. These patients were initially non-responsive to medications but later showed remarkable improvement in symptoms within one month of added Yoga therapy intervention. This study was conducted as a part of a larger study conducted at a tertiary hospital in Pondicherry in collaboration between its Yoga department and Medical Gastroenterology Department. Yoga therapy protocol was given along with their regular medical management for a month. Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and Dyspepsia Symptom Score questionnaires were used to assess symptoms before and after the intervention period. All three patients showed marked reductions in symptom scores both in the GSRS and Dyspepsia Questionnaire. The present case series suggests effect of adjuvant Yoga therapy in reducing symptoms of functional dyspepsia. Future studies may clarify the psycho-physiological basis of the same.
OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus (DM), characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, is attributed to relative insulin deficiency or resistance, or both. Studies have shown that yoga can modulate parameters of insulin resistance. The present study explored the possible beneficial effects of integrated yoga therapy with reference to glycemic control and insulin resistance (IR) in individuals with diabetes maintained on standard oral medical care with yoga therapy, compared to those on standard oral medical care alone. METHODS: In this study, the subjects on yoga intervention comprised 35 type 2 diabetics, and an equal number of volunteers constituted the control group. Subjects ranged in age from 30 to 70 years, with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test more than 7%, and were maintained on diabetic diet and oral hypoglycemic agents. Blood samples were drawn prior to and after 120 days of integrated yoga therapy intervention. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), post-prandial blood glucose (PPBG), HbA1c, insulin, and lipid profile were assessed in both the intervention and control groups. RESULTS: The intervention group revealed significant improvements in body mass index (BMI) (0.7 kg/m2 median decrease; P=0.001), FBG (20 mg/dL median decrease; P<0.001), PPBG (33 mg/dL median decrease; P<0.001), HbA1c (0.4% median decrease; P<0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (1.2 median decrease; P<0.001), cholesterol (13 mg/dL median decrease, P=0.006), triacylglycerol (22 mg/dL median decrease; P=0.027), low-density lipoprotein (6 mg/dL median decrease; P=0.004), and very-low-density lipoprotein levels (4 mg/dL median decrease; P=0.032). Increases in high-density lipoprotein after 120 days were not significant (6 mg/dL median increase; P=0.15). However, when compared to changes observed in patients in the control group, all these improvements proved to be significant. CONCLUSION: Administration of integrated yoga therapy to individuals with diabetes leads to a significant improvement in glycemic control, insulin resistance, and key biochemical parameters.
Introduction: Maternal stress responses play an important role in the etiology of fetal and maternal disorders other than biomedical risks. The surge of emergency evidence that yoga as adjuvant therapy can have significant beneficial effects in the prenatal period and in the fetus. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of Pranava Pranayama on maternal and fetal cardiovascular parameters. Materials and Methods: Three-way cross-over study was done on 3 consecutive days in 60 pregnant women (3rd trimester) with 10 min of breath awareness, listening to OM, and performing Pranava Pranayama. Maternal heart rate (MHR) and systolic and diastolic pressures were measured before and after each session, and cardiovascular indices were derived with formulae. Fetal heart rate (FHR) was obtained from nonstress test tracing. Data were assessed using GraphPad InStat version 3.06. Student's t-test was used for intragroup comparisons while repeated measured ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests were done for intergroup comparison. Results: Significant changes (P < 0.001) were found in MHR and FHR immediately after all three interventions. Delta% changes showed the greatest fall in MHR (P = 0.03) after Pranava as compared to the other two while in FHR, both OM group and Pranava were significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There were significant changes found in MHR, FHR, and cardiovascular responses rate-pressure product and double product after a single session of intervention. Yogic breathing techniques Pranava may enhance cardiovascular hemodynamics of the maternal-fetal unit. Reduction in maternal and fetal cardiovascular parameters attributed to reduced sympathetic activity coupled with enhanced vagal parasympathetic tone. Such changes in cardiac autonomic status may enhance placental circulation and lead to healthier fetal development.
OBJECTIVE: Being the second highest musculoskeletal problem irrespective of age, gender and occupation, the etiology of neck pain is predominantly mechanical in nature. This can lead to dysfunction with time and recurrence. Altered joint position sense (JPS) from soft tissues can alter the cervical biomechanics by compromising the cephalo spatial orientation, which depends on the visual, vestibular and proprioceptive cues. This study was done to observe the additive effect of "Brahma mudra" (BM) a yogic tool on non-specific mechanical neck pain and its clinical implication on pain, proprioception and functional abilities. METHODS: It was a quasi-experimental pre -post study design involving 30 individuals from a software firm between the age group of 18-45 years. The conventional treatment group received standard physiotherapy regime and in the BM group BM was incorporated in addition to standard physiotherapy regime. Independent sample student t-test/Mann Whitney test were used to compare continuous variables between two groups. Paired sample test/Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for within groups. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in pain, improved functional abilities and proprioception in BM group when compared to conventional treatment group with 0.01 level of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that practice of BM had an added effect to conventional standard physiotherapy regime in reduction of pain, improvement of proprioception and functional abilities among individuals with chronic non-specific mechanical neck pain.
Chronic Pain , Neck Pain , Adolescent , Adult , Humans , Middle Aged , Neck , Neck Pain/therapy , Physical Therapy Modalities , Proprioception , Young Adult
BACKGROUND: The root canal treatment is one of the common dental or endodontic therapies associated with high levels of patient anxiety. Yoga therapy (YT) is reported in medical literature as an effective modality in bringing down anxiety in clinical scenarios; however, the reports of the same for dental settings are fewer. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of YT on biopsychosocial parameters in patients undergoing root canal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 50 participants who underwent dental root canal therapy. The sample was divided into two groups: Yoga group (Group A; n = 25) who received YT and control group (Group B; n = 25) who were subjected to self-relaxation during dental procedure. The state of anxiety was measured by a 5-point single-item Likert scale and the cardiovascular (CV) parameters (systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBP], heart rate [HR]) and CV indices (pulse pressure [PP], mean arterial pressure [MAP], rate-pressure product [RPP], and double product [DoP]) were derived and compared between both the groups. RESULTS: The intergroup comparison showed statistically significant differences in anxiety score (P < 0.001), SBP (P < 0.001), MAP (P < 0.001), RPP (P < 0.001), DoP (P < 0.001), HR (P < 0.029), DBP (P < 0.003), and PP (P < 0.116). CONCLUSION: A significant reduction was recorded in terms of anxiety and primary and derived CV parameters in the yoga group. The YT can be adopted as an interventional tool for anxiety management in patients indicated for dental root canal therapy.
CONTEXT: Recent studies provide ample evidence of the benefits of yoga in various chronic disorders. Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and Sandler coined the term "Diabetic Lung" for the abnormal pulmonary function detected in diabetic patients due underlying pulmonary dysfunction. Yoga therapy may help in achieving better pulmonary function along with enhanced glycaemic control and overall health benefits. AIM: To study the effect of adjuvant yoga therapy in diabetic lung through spirometry. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Randomized control trial was made as interdisciplinary collaborative work between departments of Yoga Therapy, Pulmonary Medicine and Endocrinology, of MGMC & RI, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Puducherry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 patients of diabetic lung as confirmed by spirometry (<70% of expected) were randomized into control group (n=36) who received only standard medical treatment and yoga group (n=36) who received yoga training thrice weekly for 4 months along with standard medical management. Yoga therapy protocol included yogic counseling, preparatory practices, Asanas or static postures, Pranayama or breathing techniques and relaxation techniques. Hathenas of the Gitananda Yoga tradition were the main practices used. Spirometry was done at the end of the study period. Data was analyzed by Student's paired and unpaired 't' test as it passed normality. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in weight, and BMI along with a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC) in yoga group as compared to control group where parameters worsened over study period. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the present RCT that yoga has a definite role as an adjuvant therapy as it enhances standard medical care and hence is even more significant in routine clinical management of diabetes, improving physical condition and pulmonary function.
INTRODUCTION: A multitude of modalities are available for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis, however, each has its side effects and compliance issues. Bhramari pranayama, which is a breathing exercise in the practice of yoga, offers an inexpensive and free from side effect modality in this regard. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Bhramari pranayama in relieving the symptoms of chronic sinusitis. METHODOLOGY: A total of 60 patients with chronic sinusitis were randomly divided into two groups, one received conventional treatment of chronic sinusitis and the other group was in addition taught to practice yogic breathing exercise Bhramari pranayama. The patients were advised to practice this breathing exercise twice a day and were followed up at 1, 4, and 12 weeks using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22 score). RESULTS: The mean SNOT-22 score in the group following the Bhramari pranayama breathing exercise using the ANOVA test improved from 39.13 ± 9.10 to 24.79 ± 8.31 (P = 0.0002), this improvement was seen by the end of 4 weeks itself and continued until the 12th week of assessment. CONCLUSION: Integrating regular practice of Bhramari pranayama along with the conventional management of chronic rhinosinusitis is more effective than conventional management alone.
BACKGROUND: Depression causes significant burden both to the individual and to society, and its treatment by antidepressants has various disadvantages. There is preliminary evidence that adds on yoga therapy improves depression by impacting the neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of mood, motivation, and pleasure. Our study aimed to find the effect of adjunctive yoga therapy on outcome of depression and comorbid anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled study involving patients with major depressive disorder (n = 80) were allocated to two groups, one received standard therapy (antidepressants and counseling) and the other received adjunct yoga therapy along with standard therapy. Ratings of depression and anxiety were done using Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 10th and 30th day. Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale was applied at baseline and 30th day to view the severity of illness and clinical improvement. RESULTS: By the 30th day, individuals in the yoga group had significantly lower scores of depression, anxiety, and CGI scores, in comparison to the control group. The individuals in the yoga group had a significant fall in depression scores and significant clinical improvement, compared to the control group, from baseline to 30th day and 10th to 30th day. In addition, the individuals in the yoga group had a significant fall in anxiety scores from baseline to 10th day. CONCLUSION: Anxiety starts to improve with short-term yoga sessions, while long-term yoga therapy is likely to be beneficial in the treatment of depression.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga on the mental health status of elderly women inmates residing in a hospice in Puducherry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty elderly women were randomly divided into yoga and wait-listed control group. A yoga therapy program of 60 min was given twice a week for 12 weeks. This protocol was specially designed for senior citizens, keeping in mind their health status and physical limitations that included simple warm-up and breath-body movement coordination practices (jathis and kriyas), static stretching postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas), and relaxation. Hamilton anxiety scale for measuring anxiety, Hamilton rating scale for depression, and Rosenberg self-esteem scale to measure self-esteem were administered to both groups before and after the 12-week study period. Data were assessed for normality, and appropriate parametric and nonparametric statistical methods were applied for intra- and inter-group comparisons. RESULTS: Overall, intra- and inter-group comparison of prepost data showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) differences for all three parameters. There was an overall improvement in the scores indicating decreased levels of depression and anxiety coupled with an increase in the level of self-esteem after the yoga therapy program. DISCUSSION: The influence of yoga in the reduction of depression and anxiety scores and improvement in self-esteem scores in elderly women subjects is evident from this study. As reported in earlier studies, this may be attributed to changes in central neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric-acid coupled with increased parasympathetic tone and decreased sympatho-adrenal activity. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that yoga should be a part of health-care facilities for elderly as it can enhance the quality of life by improving their overall mental health status. It could provide a healthy and positive alternative from depressing negative thoughts, and give them a sense of purpose and hope.
INTRODUCTION: Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) is the differential change of Heart Rate (HR) in response to inspiration and expiration. This is a noninvasive sensitive index of parasympathetic cardiac control. AIM: To evaluate changes in RSA by utilizing a simple and cost-effective analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings obtained during performance of four pranayama techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty two trained volunteers performed the following pranayamas with different ratios for inspiration and expiration: sukha (1:1), traditional (1:2), pranava (1:3) and savitri (2:1:2:1) and ECG was recorded while performing the techniques with rest period of 5 minutes in-between. HR was calculated and maximum HR during inspiration (Imax), minimum HR during expiration (Emin), differences between Imax and Emin (Δ), percentage differences between I(max) and Emin (Δ%) and expiration: inspiration ratio (E:I) calculated by respective formulae. Statistical analysis was carried out using repeated measures of ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test. RESULTS: There were significant differences between groups in all five aspects namely: p= 0.0093 for mean Imax, p = 0.0009 for mean Emin, and p < 0.0001 for Δ HR (I-E), Δ% HR (I-E) and E:I ratio. Pranava pranayama produced the greatest changes in all five comparisons. CONCLUSION: We suggest that further short and long term studies be undertaken with pranava pranayama in patients to further qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate inherent mechanisms of this simple technique. Addition of these cost-effective techniques to the medical armory will help patients of rhythm disorders and other cardiovascular conditions.
INTRODUCTION: Yoga has become popular worldwide with increasing research done on its therapeutic potential. However, it remains to be determined whether such findings actually percolate down into teaching and practice of Yoga teachers/therapists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this survey was to document awareness of Yoga research findings in the Yoga community and find out how these were utilized. It was undertaken with a select group of 34 international Yoga teachers and therapists utilizing email and social media between August and December 2015. Majority of responders had well-established reputation in Yoga and were from diverse lineages with 30 of them having more than 5 years of experience in the field. A set of eight questions were sent to them related to essentiality of Yoga research, how they updated themselves on research findings and whether such studies influenced their teaching and practice. Responses were compiled and appropriate statistics determined for quantitative aspects while feedback, comments and suggestions were noted in detail. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: About 89% agreed that it was essential to be up-to-date on Yoga research but only 70% updated themselves regularly with average papers read fully per year being <10. Most accessed information through general news reports, emails from contacts, and articles on internet sites whereas only 7% were through PubMed. About 60% felt these studies helped them in general teaching whereas 20% said that such studies had not really influenced it in any way. CONCLUSION: This survey provides a basic picture of a general lack of awareness of Yoga research amongst practicing Yoga teachers and therapists. Though a majority agree research is important, few seriously update themselves on this through scientific channels. With regard to future studies, most wanted "proof" that could be used to convince potential clients and felt that more qualitative methods should be applied.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This pilot study was carried out to determine cardiovascular effects of a single session of an integrated "silver yoga" program in senior citizens of Serene Pelican Township, Pondicherry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded in 124 senior citizens (75 female, 49 male) with mean age of 67.19 ± 10.61 year who attended an integrated "Silver Yoga" program at Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research from August to October 2014. Participants practiced the protocol that was specially designed for senior citizens, keeping in mind their health status and physical limitations. This included simple warm-ups (jathis), breath body movement coordination practices (kriyas), static stretching postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas), relaxation and simple chanting. Non-invasive BP apparatus was used to record the HR, systolic (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) before and after the 60 min sessions. Pulse pressure (PP), mean pressure (MP), rate-pressure product (RPP) and double product (DoP) indices were derived from the recorded parameters. Student's paired t-test was used to compare data that passed normality testing by Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test for those that did not. P < 0.05 were accepted as indicating significant differences for pre-post comparisons. RESULTS: All parameters witnessed a reduction following the single session. This was statistically more significant (P < 0. 0001) in HR, RPP and DoP while it was also significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) in SP and PP, respectively. The decrease in MP just missed significance (P = 0.054) while it was not significant in DP. CONCLUSION: There is a healthy reduction in HR, BP and derived cardiovascular indices following a single yoga session in geriatric subjects. These changes may be attributed to enhanced harmony of cardiac autonomic function as a result of coordinated breath-body work and mind-body relaxation due to an integrated "Silver Yoga" program.
BACKGROUND: Pranayama has been assigned very important role in yogic system of exercises and is said to be much more important than yogasanas for keeping sound health. Also different pranayamas produce divergent physiological effects. AIM: To study the effect of 12 weeks training of slow and fast pranayama on handgrip strength and endurance in young, healthy volunteers of JIPMER population. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Present study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, JIPMER in 2011-12 (1.06.11 to 1.04.12). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total of 91 volunteer subjects were randomised into slow pranayama (SPG) (n=29), fast pranayama (FPG) (n=32) and control groups (CG) (n=30). Supervised pranayama training (SPG - Nadisodhana, Pranav pranayama and Savitri pranayama; FPG - Kapalabhati, Bhastrika and Kukkuriya pranayama) was given for 30 minutes thrice a week for 12 weeks to both slow and fast pranayama groups by certified yoga trainer. Hand grip strength (HGS) and endurance (HGE) parameters were recorded using handgrip dynamometer (Rolex, India) at baseline and after 12 weeks of pranayama training. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Longitudinal changes in each group were compared by using Student's paired t-test. Delta changes in each group were analysed by ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analysis. RESULTS: In SPG significant improvement occurred only in HGE parameter from 83.95±45.06 to 101.62±53.87 (seconds) (p<0.001) whereas in FPG, significant improvement was observed in HGS from 33.31±9.83 to 37.9±9.41 (Kilograms) (p=0.01) as well as in HGE from 92.78±41.37 to 116.56±58.54 (seconds) (p=0.004). Using Students unpaired t-test difference between the groups in HGS is found to be 1.17±5.485 in SPG and in FPG is 4.59±7.26 (p=0.39); HGE difference in SPG is 1.77±21.17 and in FPG is 2.38±43.27 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Pranayama training decreases sympathetic activity, resulting in mental relaxation and decreased autonomic arousal thereby, decreasing force fluctuations during isometric contraction. This is reflected as improvement in HGS and HGE.
INTRODUCTION: This study planned to compare immediate cardiovascular effects of different yoga asanas in healthy young volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SP), and diastolic pressure (DP), blood pressure (BP), were recorded using the non invasive blood pressure (NIBP) apparatus in 22 healthy young subjects, before and after the performance of Dhanurasana (DA), Vakrasana (VA) (both sides), Janusirasasana (JSA) (both sides), Matsyasana and Shavasana for 30 s. HR and BP were further recorded during supine recovery at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min. A repeated measure of ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were significant changes in HR and BP both immediately after the Asanas as well as during the recovery period. Overall comparisons of ∆% changes immediately after the performance of the Asanas revealed significant differences with regard to HR that increased significantly after DA. In the recovery phase, there were significant intergroup differences from 2 min onward in both SP and DP. The decrease of SP after VA (right side) (VA-R) was significantly greater than Shavasana (4(th), 6(th), and 8(th) min) and JSA (left side) (JSA-L) at 6(th) and 8(th) min. DP decreased significantly after performing JSA-L compared to VA-R at the 6(th) and 8(th) min. DISCUSSION: The cardiovascular changes immediately after the Asanas and during the recovery phase reveal inherent differences between the selected postures. The rise of HR in DA may be attributed to increased sympathetic response due to the relative difficulty of the posture as well as abdominal compression occurring in it. The effect of supine relaxation is more pronounced after the performance of the Asanas as compared to mere relaxation in Shavasana. This may be attributed to a normalization and resultant homeostatic effect occurring due to a greater, healthier de-activation of the autonomic nervous system occurring towing to the presence of prior activation. There were also subtle differences between the right sided and left sided performance of VA and JSA that may be occurring due to the different internal structures being either compressed or relaxed on either side. CONCLUSION: Our study provides initial evidence of differential cardiovascular effects of Asanas and subtle differences between right and left sided performance. Further, cardiovascular recovery is greater after the performance of the Asanas as compared to shavasan; thus, implying a better response when effort precedes relaxation.
BACKGROUND: Though neurological benefits of yoga training have been reported, lacunae still exists in understanding neurophysiological effects of such training. Hence, the present study was conducted to find the effect of yogasanas and pranayams on neurological and neuromuscular functions in healthy human volunteers and also determined differential effects of training in asan, pranayama and their combination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty male trainees from Pondicherry Police Training School were randomly divided into asan, pranayama, and asan-pranayama groups who received a training of 4 days a week for 6 months and a control group. Electroencephalogram (EEG), nerve conduction (NC), electromyogram (EMG), visual evoked potentials (VEP), and auditory reaction time (ART) were recorded before and after the study period. NC, EMG, and VEP data were obtained from 28 subjects; EEG data from 48 subjects; and RT from 67 subjects. Intergroup differences were assessed by AVOVA/Kruskal-Wallis and intragroup differences by Student's t-test. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Police trainees showed beneficial effects of yoga training, although they were undergoing intensive police training and the yoga training was relatively less intense. Alpha, theta, and total power of EEG increased as a result of asan training. A shortening of visual reaction time and a decrease in red-green discriminatory reaction time signifies an improved and faster processing of visual input. They also showed a decrease in resting EMG voltage, signifying better muscular relaxation following pranayama training. Beta, theta and total power of EEG increased. ART and red-green discriminatory reaction times decreased in the trainees, signifying a more alert state as well as improved central neural processing. A combination of asan and pranayama training for 6 months produced an improvement in motor and sensory nerve conduction. Total power of EEG, alpha and theta power as well as delta % increased, while reaction time decreased signifying an alert and yet relaxed state of the neuromuscular system. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The present study has shown that 6 months training in asan, pranayama as well as their combination is effective in improving physiological functions of police trainees. They showed beneficial effects of yoga training, although they were undergoing intensive police training and the yoga training was relatively less intense. Hence, we recommend that yoga training be introduced in police training curricula.
Suryanamaskar (SN), a yogic technique is composed of dynamic muscular movements synchronised with deep rhythmic breathing. As it may have influence on CNS, this study planned to investigate immediate effects of SN on reaction time (RT) and heart rate (HR). 21 female volunteers attending yoga classes were recruited for study group and 19 female volunteers not participating in yoga were recruited as external-controls. HR, auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) were recorded before and after three rounds of SN in study group as well as 5 minutes of quiet sitting in both groups. Performance of SN produced immediate decrease in both VRT and ART (P < 0.001). This was significant when compared to self-control period (P < 0.001) and compared to external-control group, it decreased significantly in ART (p = 0.02). This was pronounced when delta% was compared between groups (P < 0.001). HR increased significantly following SN compared with both self-control (p = 0.025) and external-control group (p = 0.032). Faster reactivity may be due to intermediate level of arousal by conscious synchronisation of dynamic movements with breathing. Rise in HR is attributed to sympathetic arousal and muscular exertion. We suggest that SN may be used as an effective training means to improve neuro-muscular abilities.
Heart Rate , Reaction Time , Yoga , Acoustic Stimulation , Adult , Female , Humans , Photic Stimulation
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have reported differential physiological and psychological effects produced by exclusive right and left nostril breathing and clinical research is required to prove immediate and sustained efficacy of these techniques in various psychosomatic conditions such as hypertension (HT). The present study was designed to determine immediate effects of 27 rounds of exclusive left nostril breathing, a yogic pranayama technique known as chandra nadi pranayama (CNP) on cardiovascular parameters in patients of essential HT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty two patients of essential HT under regular standard medical management were individually taught to perform CNP by a qualified yoga instructor with a regularity of 6 breaths/min throughout a performance of 27 rounds of CNP. Pre and post intervention heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded using non-invasive semi-automatic BP monitor and Students t test for paired data used to determine significant differences. RESULTS: Twenty seven rounds of CNP produced an immediate decrease in all the measured cardiovascular parameters with the decrease in HR, systolic pressure (SP), pulse pressure, rate-pressure product and double product being statistically significant. Further, gender-based sub-analysis of our data revealed that our male participants evidenced significant reductions in HR and SP with an insignificant decrease in diastolic pressure, while in female participants only HR decreased significantly with an insignificant decrease in SP. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is concluded that CNP is effective in reducing HR and SP in hypertensive patients on regular standard medical management. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previously published reports on immediate effects of left UFNB in patients of HT and ours is the first to report on this beneficial clinical effect. This may be due to a normalization of autonomic cardiovascular rhythms with increased vagal modulation and/or decreased sympathetic activity along with improvement in baroreflex sensitivity. Further studies are required to enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved as well as determine how long such a BP lowering effect persists. We recommend that this simple and cost effective technique be added to the regular management protocol of HT and utilized when immediate reduction of BP is required in day-to-day as well as clinical situations.
