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Immediate Effect of Slow Pace Bhastrika Pranayama on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of slow pace bhastrika pranayama (respiratory rate 6/min) for 5 minutes on heart rate and blood pressure and the effect of the same breathing exercise for the same duration of time (5 minutes) following oral intake of hyoscine-N-butylbromide (Buscopan), a parasympathetic blocker drug.
Heart rate and blood pressure of volunteers (n = 39, age = 25-40 years) was recorded following standard procedure. First, subjects had to sit comfortably in an easy and steady posture (sukhasana) on a fairly soft seat placed on the floor keeping head, neck, and trunk erect, eyes closed, and the other muscles reasonably loose. The subject is directed to inhale through both nostrils slowly up to the maximum for about 4 seconds and then exhale slowly up to the maximum through both nostrils for about 6 seconds. The breathing must not be abdominal. These steps complete one cycle of slow pace bhastrika pranayama (respiratory rate 6/min). During the practice the subject is asked not to think much about the inhalation and exhalation time, but rather was requested to imagine the open blue sky. The pranayama was conducted in a cool, well-ventilated room (18-20 degrees C). After 5 minutes of this breathing practice, the blood pressure and heart rate again were recorded in the aforesaid manner using the same instrument. The other group (n = 10) took part in another study where their blood pressure and heart rate were recorded following half an hour of oral intake of hyoscine-N-butylbromide 20 mg. Then they practiced the breathing exercise as stated above, and the abovementioned parameters were recorded again to study the effect of parasympathetic blockade on the same pranayama.
It was noted that after slow bhastrika pranayamic breathing (respiratory rate 6/min) for 5 minutes, both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly with a slight fall in heart rate. No significant alteration in both blood pressure and heart rate was observed in volunteers who performed the same breathing exercise for the same duration following oral intake of hyoscine-N-butylbromide.
Pranayama increases frequency and duration of inhibitory neural impulses by activating pulmonary stretch receptors during above tidal volume inhalation as in Hering Bruer reflex, which bring about withdrawal of sympathetic tone in the skeletal muscle blood vessels, leading to widespread vasodilatation, thus causing decrease in peripheral resistance and thus decreasing the diastolic blood pressure. After hyoscine-N-butylbromide, the parasympathetic blocker, it was observed that blood pressure was not decreased significantly as a result of pranayama, as it was observed when no drug was administered.
Vagal cardiac and pulmonary mechanisms are linked, and improvement in one vagal limb might spill over into the other. Baroreceptor sensitivity can be enhanced significantly by slow breathing (supported by a small reduction in the heart rate observed during slow breathing and by reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressure). Slow pace bhastrika pranayama (respiratory rate 6/min) exercise thus shows a strong tendency to improving the autonomic nervous system through enhanced activation of the parasympathetic system.
... Ujjayi pranayama (ocean breath) without breath retention significantly decreases stress-induced changes in cardiorespiratory parameters and decreases BP [15]. Studies have shown immediate benefits of sukha pranayama (easy, comfortable breathing) [16], nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) [17], slow-paced bhastrika (bellows breath) [18], chandra nadi (left unilateral forced nostril breathing) [19], bhramari (humming breath)[20], sheetali (cooling breath) [21], and pranava (Aum chanting) [13] pranayama practices in reduction of BP. ...
... Deep inhalation and slow exhalation (Respiratory rate 6/min), imagine the open blue sky while breathing [18] 5 min [18] Ujjayi pranayama (Ocean breath) Slow inhalation and exhalation with a slight contraction around the glottis; Can be practiced in seated, supine, or standing position ...
... Deep inhalation and slow exhalation (Respiratory rate 6/min), imagine the open blue sky while breathing [18] 5 min [18] Ujjayi pranayama (Ocean breath) Slow inhalation and exhalation with a slight contraction around the glottis; Can be practiced in seated, supine, or standing position ...
Systemic hypertension is an established risk factor for coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accident and control of blood pressure reduces the risk of a major cardiovascular event. Both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options are available to treat hypertension. Yoga, recently received more attention as a treatment modality for various lifestyle disorders, even though practiced in India since ancient times. In this review, we are analyzing the role of yoga in the treatment of systemic hypertension.
... February 22, 2018 responds to stress (2,5,8,9,10,11). Yoga acts as a positive influence on the body and reverses the negative impact of stress on the immune system (2); this means that the self-imposed stress from yoga or other physical activities allows the body to adjust more effectively when future stress occurs (5). ...
... A study on the immediate effects of slow pace bhastrika pranayama (bellows breathing, a component of some yoga practices) found bhastrika breathing improves the function of the PNS. This study's control group had a parasympathetic blocker (drug) which stopped the PNS from working and they experienced no benefits, despite the same breathing exercises (10). Thus, the authors argued that yoga can enhance the PNS and produce a relaxing effect on the body. ...
... Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom number that represents the pressure when the heart is relaxed between beats. Sources have demonstrated yoga's beneficial effects on blood pressure and heart rate (2,8,10,12,13,14,15). A meta-analysis comparing yoga to exercise found that yoga is more beneficial than exercise in improving resting heart rate (2). ...
This study examined the potential psychological and physiological benefits of yoga for African American high school students who attended a rigorous college preparatory program. We hypothesized that yoga exercises would improve perceived stress levels, lower resting heart rate and blood pressure, and increase blood oxygen saturation. Our sample consisted of twenty-two students who participated in yoga or track (the control), with eleven in each group. The yoga group was a pre-existing afterschool program, while the track control group was matched as closely as possible to the yoga group by gender, age and blood pressure levels. We measured the perceived stress, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen saturation levels prior to the first class and after the last class. We found that the perceived stress levels of yoga participants decreased 13% compared to the control group, which only decreased 1%; however, this was not a statistically significant difference. There were no significant differences between or within the groups’ resting heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Our results suggest that yoga does not have a significant effect on healthy high school students, possibly due to a lack of motivation among participants, although the generalizability of our findings are limited by the small sample size.
... [35][36][37] Nineteen studies were included in the final systematic review for qualitative synthesis. [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] The PRISMA flow diagram of the studies is presented in Figure 1. ...
... Most of the studies on Bhastrika Pranayama were on pulmonary function variables (spirometry, expiratory volume and capacity), [40,41,[43][44][45][49][50][51]53,56] followed by cardiovascular variables (heart rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and cerebral blood flow), [38,[47][48][49]53,55,56] general psychology (anxiety, affects, and quality of life), [39,42,[52][53][54]56] and experimental psychology (functional magnetic resonance imaging [fMRI] and Was the method used to assess the adverse effects described?, Q8: Was the methods of statistical analysis described?. The three options available for each question were: yes, no and not specified. ...
... The results showed significant decrease in insomnia scores in all three groups. Although the intensity was higher in mixed group, followed by Bhastrika group and drug group Pramanik et al., 2009 [55] Participants: 49 healthy volunteers (39 in Bhastrika group and 10 in Bhastrika with parasympathetic blocker drug), age ranged between 25 and 35 years, gender not specified Study design and country: CCT, Nepal ...
Pranayama is one of the most essential components of yoga which has been found to be effective to physiology of the mankind in many ways. Among the Pranayamas, Bhastrika Pranayama is one of the popular breathing techniques widely practiced in yoga, which is believed to improve pulmonary, cardiac, and psychological functions. This present systematic review was planned to explore the available scientific studies on Bhastrika Pranayama individually on pulmonary, cardiovascular, and psychological variables. PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were the basis for our review of the literature. The final review included 19 trials on Bhastrika Pranayama between 2005 and 2021 based on eligibility criteria, including four randomized controlled trials and another 15 clinically controlled trials. The quality assessment of each individual trial was performed using the Jadad Scale and the assessment showed ten trails as high quality studies (score 4–8) and nine trials as low quality studies (score 0–3). The results were discussed based on ten high‑quality trials and the findings showed that Bhastrika Pranayama significantly improves pulmonary, cardiovascular, and psychological variables, although there were some limitations related to sample size, study quality, follow‑up duration, and practice guidelines. Future studies should address those limitations to reach better conclusions.
... The role of the PNS is to aid us in calming down and bringing the body back to homeostasis after a stressful event (Brodal, 2010;Jerath, 2016). Pranayamic breathing has been shown to decrease oxygen consumption, decrease heart rate and lower blood pressure, all of which are raised when the SNS is activated (Pramanik et al., 2009). ...
... Using breath as a tool to shift the thinking mind's focus away from those stressful thoughts and to tether participants to the present moment seemed to have a positive effect (Shonin and Van Gordon, 2014). Such a practice has the added benefit of activating the calming effects of the PNS (Brodal, 2010;Pramanik et al., 2009;Jerath, 2016). ...
... Above, Gab highlights the need to relax. As Arch and Craske (2006) note, focusing on the breath serves not only as an anchor to the present moment, but may also aid in activating a self-regulatory response, helping a person deal with negative emotions like anger, frustration, anxiety, etc. Focusing on the breath in moments of stress has also been shown to decrease oxygen consumption, decrease heart rate and lower blood pressure, all of which are raised when the SNS is activated (Pramanik et al., 2009). It is likely that in highly stressful situations at work or moments of exhaustion, a leader's SNS will be engaged (Brodal, 2010). ...
The aim of this research is to explore mindfulness-in-action in moments of
leadership performance and the degree to which it may enhance leadership
excellence. To this end, this research answers two interrelated research
questions.
Firstly, what are the embodied experiences described by leaders that arise in the
present moment of leadership and which they feel may hinder their ability to lead
successfully? This question is explored through the analysis of a series of
interviews with research participants.
As an extension to my first research question, a group of leaders from various
organisations were then taught mindfulness in an action-oriented way by means
of a bespoke workshop that focused on utilising martial arts-based movements
to teach the concept of mindfulness.
My second research question explores to what extent mindfulness taught in an
experiential, action-oriented way aids leaders in managing their leadership
difficulties. Here the focus shifts to the leadership difficulties my research
participants had previously described (i.e. in Research Question 1), as well as
how, as leaders, they defined leadership before and after mindfulness-in-action
training. The outcome of the research, via the analysis of interviews, was
bolstered further by exploring participants’ trait or dispositional mindfulness
through applying the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale both before and at two
additional time points after the training.
Overall, the analysis and findings of this research show that it is indeed possible
to design and implement a training approach to mindfulness that is both
experientially and action oriented, and which in turn has positive effects on
moments of leadership performance. This research thus adds valuable insight in
understanding leadership, learning and mindfulness, explored through moments
of leadership performance.
... Many physiological factors have been affected by pranayama practice. Evidences shows that it has a favourable effect on the cardiorespiratory system (Kjellgren, et al., 2007) [22] , (Nivethitha, et al., 2016) [23] , (Telles, et al., 2019) [24] , where slowed breathing results in a lower heart rate and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Zaccaro, et al., 2018) [25] , while rapid breathing causes a less vigorous but constant rise in heart rate [26] , (Pramanik, et al., 2009) [27] , (Nagarajan, 2014) [28] . There are many types of pranayama out of which Bhastrika is one of them. ...
... Many physiological factors have been affected by pranayama practice. Evidences shows that it has a favourable effect on the cardiorespiratory system (Kjellgren, et al., 2007) [22] , (Nivethitha, et al., 2016) [23] , (Telles, et al., 2019) [24] , where slowed breathing results in a lower heart rate and lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure (Zaccaro, et al., 2018) [25] , while rapid breathing causes a less vigorous but constant rise in heart rate [26] , (Pramanik, et al., 2009) [27] , (Nagarajan, 2014) [28] . There are many types of pranayama out of which Bhastrika is one of them. ...
... The most of the 21 interventions were carried out in India (n = 19), [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32] and in United States (n = 1) [33] and Bangladesh (n = 1) [34] . The average sample size calculated for 21 studies included in this review was 53.42, with a standard deviation of 23.89. ...
... [18] Another research on 49 healthy volunteers aged 25-35 years found that those who practiced slow Pace Bhastrika Pranayama for 5 min had a substantial reduction in SBP, DBP, and HR (DBP). [19] Herur et al. (2011) conducted a single group design study on 50 healthy subjects, above 30 years old shows that practice of Prayer, Suryanamaskara, Asanas, Pranayama, and Dhyana (Meditation) for 1 h daily for 6 months had significantly decreased the HR, SBP, DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and in the scores of General Health Questionnaire-28. [20] A study was conducted by Ankad et al. on 50 healthy subjects with an age range of 2060 years shows that regular practice of Prayer, Pranayama (Vibhagiya Pranayama, Nadishuddi, Kapalabathi, Bahya, Sitali, and Sitkari), Lecture, and Meditation for 2 hours daily for 15 days shows a significant decreased in PR, SBP, and DBP. ...
Complementary and alternatiASve therapy is a rapidly growing area in the biomedical sciences, in which Yoga therapy has arisen at the frontlines of holistic medical care and is perceived as a form of mind-body practise because of its long history of connecting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being with the coalescence of physical postures (asana), breathing exercises (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana). This study aims to review the emerging evidence assessing the physiologic and clinical effects of Yoga on cardiopulmonary functions. The authors searched the PubMed (Medline) and Science Direct databases and the Google Scholar search engine, as well as a reference list of related articles, for literature related to the effect of yoga on pulmonary function, cardiovascular function, and cardiopulmonary functions from 2000 to 2021. Yoga has been shown to have favorable effects on the various parameters of cardiovascular and pulmonary functions. Yoga has emerged as a beneficial lifestyle intervention that can be incorporated into cardiovascular and pulmonary disease management methods. Although numerous researchers have reported the clinical benefits of Yoga in reducing cardiopulmonary-related events, morbidity, and mortality, the evidence supporting these conclusions is somewhat limited, thereby stressing the requirement for large, well-designed randomised trials that limit bias and methodological drawbacks.
... Different yogic techniques elicit varied physiological responses, even within a single short session. For example, lateral shifts, forward bending, backward bending, prone poses, and breathing duration variations lead to distinct changes in BP and HR, primarily mediated by autonomic nervous system regulation (Bhavanani et al., 2014;Malhotra, 2005;Pramanik et al., 2009). In the last few years, heart rate variability (HRV) has been established as a non-invasive tool to evaluate CANS function (Sztajzel et al., 2004). ...
Background: Research into cardiovascular changes during yoga is crucial for validating its health benefits, enhancing personalized care, and supporting global health strategies. Aim: In this context, the present study investigates the immediate effects of Balasana, Viparita Karani, and Apan Vayu Mudra on both cardiac electrical and mechanical activity, contributing to a deeper understanding of yoga’s impact on cardiovascular health. Methods: The study was conducted in the year 2024 among thirty healthy students, aged 18 to 25 year who were selected through simple random sampling technique. Each participant performed all three yogic techniques in a single session, with heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate variability (HRV) recorded at baseline, during, and after the practices using a digital sphygmomanometer (OMRON) and the ADInstruments PowerLab26T Teaching System. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman’s two-way ANOVA. Results: Both Balasana and Viparita Karani elicited significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures during the posture, with values returning to baseline during recovery, while heart rate exhibited a similar pattern of elevation followed by recovery. In contrast, Apan Vayu Mudra did not result in significant changes in blood pressure. However, it induced an increase in HR during mudra compared to resting phase. Additionally, a decrease in HFnu and an increase in LFnu and the LF:HF ratio was observed during the mudra, relative to resting values. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the immediate effects of yogic techniques sustained over five minutes, highlighting differential cardiovascular responses. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of yoga’s benefits and may help prevent potential adverse effects by promoting more informed practice.
... Studies by revealed that slow, deep breathing in pranayama decreases oxygen consumption, heart rate (HR), and BP. Similarly, slow-paced pranayama induces parasympathetic dominance, which influences HR and BP, as confirmed by previous studies (Pramanik et al., 2009). Specifically, Bhramari Pranayama, a form of slow-paced breathing, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. ...
Background: Hypertension is a major global health challenge and a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Stress and autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction play critical roles in its etiology. Non-pharmacological approaches, such as pranayama techniques, are increasingly recognized for their potential to manage hypertension. This study evaluates the effects of Sheetali and Bhramari Pranayama on systolic and diastolic blood pressure among male police personnel, a high-stress occupational group. Method: The study included 50 male police personnel diagnosed with hypertension. Participants were assigned to a two-month intervention involving daily practice of Sheetali and Bhramari Pranayama under supervision. Blood pressure levels, including systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP), were recorded pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using paired t-tests to assess the impact of the intervention. Results: The findings showed a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP following the pranayama intervention. The mean SBP decreased from 145.318 mmHg (SD = 6.034) to 140.440 mmHg (SD = 6.188), with a t-value of 19.036 (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the mean DBP decreased from 88.68 mmHg (SD = 4.47) to 84.00 mmHg (SD = 4.70), with a t-value of 19.66 (p < 0.0001). These results highlight the effectiveness of Sheetali and Bhramari Pranayama in managing hypertension. Conclusions: Sheetali and Bhramari Pranayama significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure among hypertensive male police personnel. These techniques offer a simple, cost-effective, and non-pharmacological approach to managing hypertension, particularly in high-stress occupational groups. Integrating pranayama into workplace wellness programs could improve cardiovascular health and overall well-being in law enforcement personnel.
... Bhastrika pranayama has been shown to enhance HRV, suggesting a more flexible and responsive autonomic nervous system [18]. During slow Bhastrika pranayama (fewer than seven breaths per minute), deep and controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and rest [19]. However, in the fast and dynamic Bhastrika pranayama practiced in our study (more than seven breaths per minute), there was an increase in sympathetic activity. ...
Bhastrika Pranayama, a vigorous yoga breathing technique, impacts both the autonomic nervous system and brain function. This
prospective interventional study examined the acute effects of Bhastrika on heart rate variability (HRV) and electroencephalogram
(EEG) patterns in 20 regular yoga practitioners. Significant increases in heart rate and sympathetic activity, as well as alterations in
brain wave spectra, were observed during and after the practice indicated by a rise in low-frequency (LF) power and the LF/HF ratio,
along with a decrease in high-frequency (HF) power and a substantial decrease in beta, theta, alpha and gamma waves while delta
waves increased. The findings suggest Bhastrika enhances sympathetic activity and modifies cognitive states. Further research is
necessary to understand its long-term benefits and therapeutic potential.
... Different yogic techniques elicit varied physiological responses, even within a single short session. For example, lateral shifts, forward bending, backward bending, prone poses, and breathing duration variations lead to distinct changes in BP and HR, primarily mediated by autonomic nervous system regulation (Bhavanani et al., 2014;Malhotra, 2005;Pramanik et al., 2009). In the last few years, heart rate variability (HRV) has been established as a non-invasive tool to evaluate CANS function (Sztajzel et al., 2004). ...
Background: Research into cardiovascular changes during yoga is crucial for validating its health benefits, enhancing personalized care, and supporting global health strategies. Aim: In this context, the present study investigates the immediate effects of Balasana, Viparita Karani, and Apan Vayu Mudra on both cardiac electrical and mechanical activity, contributing to a deeper understanding of yoga’s impact on cardiovascular health. Methods: The study was conducted in the year 2024 among thirty healthy students, aged 18 to 25 year who were selected through simple random sampling technique. Each participant performed all three yogic techniques in a single session, with heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate variability (HRV) recorded at baseline, during, and after the practices using a digital sphygmomanometer (OMRON) and the ADInstruments PowerLab26T Teaching System. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman’s two-way ANOVA. Results: Both Balasana and Viparita Karani elicited significant increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures during the posture, with values returning to baseline during recovery, while heart rate exhibited a similar pattern of elevation followed by recovery. In contrast, Apan Vayu Mudra did not result in significant changes in blood pressure. However, it induced an increase in HR during mudra compared to resting phase. Additionally, a decrease in HFnu and an increase in LFnu and the LF:HF ratio was observed during the mudra, relative to resting values. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the immediate effects of yogic techniques sustained over five minutes, highlighting differential cardiovascular responses. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of yoga’s benefits and may help prevent potential adverse effects by promoting more informed practice.
... The combined practice of yogasana, pranayama, and meditation reduces basal respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), resting HR, and improves VO 2 max, cardiovascular, and respiratory health (Bhunia & Ray, 2020). Immediate effect of Bhramari Pranayama practice (5 minutes) significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), decreases HR, and promotes parasympathetic dominance in cardiovascular regulation(Pramanik et al., 2009(Pramanik et al., , 2010. Nadi-Shodhana Pranayama rapidly enhances cardiopulmonary responses and cognitive function(Subbalakshmi & Saxena, 2005), while Anulom-Vilom and Bhastrika Pranayama significantly improve vital capacity and VO 2 max(Bal, 2010). ...
Football demands high levels of muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power to meet the sport's physical and physiological challenges. Yoga has been shown to enhance flexibility, stability, endurance, and cognitive function, benefiting both physical performance and mental well-being. Despite this, there is a notable absence of studies specifically focused on sport-specific yoga practices for football players. The study aims to identify essential yoga practices for football players based on input from subject matter experts. A total of 76 yoga practices were identified through a review of classical texts and supported by research evidence. To establish the validity of these practices, a panel of 30 subject matter experts (SMEs) was consulted. The data were analysed using Lawshe's Content Validity Ratio (CVR) to assess content validity. Among the 76 integrated yoga practices subjected to validation, 38 practices achieved a CVR score of ≥0.33, signifying high content validity (p<0.05), while the remaining 38 practices had a CVR score of <0.33, indicating low content validity. The 38 practices with a CVR score of ≥0.33 were deemed essential for football players. The study highlights the potential of yoga to improve overall athletic performance and reduce injury risk, emphasizing the need for incorporating sport-specific yoga programs.
... The combined practice of yogasana, pranayama, and meditation reduces basal respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), resting HR, and improves VO 2 max, cardiovascular, and respiratory health (Bhunia & Ray, 2020). Immediate effect of Bhramari Pranayama practice (5 minutes) significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), decreases HR, and promotes parasympathetic dominance in cardiovascular regulation(Pramanik et al., 2009(Pramanik et al., , 2010. Nadi-Shodhana Pranayama rapidly enhances cardiopulmonary responses and cognitive function(Subbalakshmi & Saxena, 2005), while Anulom-Vilom and Bhastrika Pranayama significantly improve vital capacity and VO 2 max(Bal, 2010). ...
Football demands high levels of muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic power to meet the sport's physical and physiological challenges. Yoga has been shown to enhance flexibility, stability, endurance, and cognitive function, benefiting both physical performance and mental well-being. Despite this, there is a notable absence of studies specifically focused on sport-specific yoga practices for football players. The study aims to identify essential yoga practices for football players based on input from subject matter experts. A total of 76 yoga practices were identified through a review of classical texts and supported by research evidence. To establish the validity of these practices, a panel of 30 subject matter experts (SMEs) was consulted. The data were analysed using Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio (CVR) to assess content validity. Among the 76 integrated yoga practices subjected to validation, 38 practices achieved a CVR score of ≥0.33, signifying high content validity, while the remaining 38 practices had a CVR score of <0.33, indicating low content validity. The 38 practices with a CVR score of ≥0.33 were deemed essential for football players. The study highlights the potential of yoga to improve overall athletic performance and reduce injury risk, emphasizing the need for incorporating sport-specific yoga programs.
... The contrasting breathing pattern to hyperventilation, characterized by deep and slow breathing, is linked to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system [13]. Already after 5 min of deep breathing, a slight fall of resting HR was detected in a study with healthy subjects [15]. Even though the effect on resting HR was small, it may increase dramatically in patients with tachycardia and sympathetic overactivity. ...
Background and purpose
This study investigated the effects of deep abdominal breathing on cardiovascular parameters and symptoms in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) during head‐up tilt‐table (HUT) challenge.
Methods
Thirty POTS patients completed two consecutive rounds of 10‐min HUT in a crossover design. One round was HUT without intervention, and one round combined the HUT with deep breathing at a rate of 6 breaths/min. Cardiovascular parameters, including mean blood pressure and maximum and mean heart rate (HR), were measured supine and standing. Symptoms were assessed using the Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score (VOSS).
Results
During the breathing technique, the mean HR increase was −7.35 bpm (95% confidence interval [CI] = −11.71 to −2.98), and the maximum HR increase was −6.27 bpm (95% CI = −11.85 to −0.68, p = 0.041), significantly lower compared to normal breathing. Additionally, improvements were observed in all absolute cardiovascular parameters during standing, with VOSS symptoms simultaneously and significantly decreasing by −5.38 (95% CI = −10.43 to −0.36).
Conclusions
Slow deep abdominal breathing can act as a simple technique to reduce the standing HR increase upon HUT in patients with POTS. This suggests that modulation of the cardiopulmonary neurocircuits and the respiratory pump may reduce HR increase and symptoms in patients with POTS. The findings of this study highlight the use of a safe, zero‐cost, and simple behavioral tool to suggest to POTS patients for symptom relief apart from standard treatment. The observed improvements in cardiovascular parameters and symptoms offer a promising therapeutic approach for patients in times of inadequate treatment options.
... [10,11] Preoperatively, this plays a crucial role in surgery as it not only helps the patient be psychologically prepared for the surgery but also has beneficial physiological effects on the surgical procedure. [8][9][10][12][13][14][15] They can be evaluated by physiological markers like blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and hormonal markers such as increased secretions of cortisol and epinephrine, along with psychological markers like the stress measurement scale and a psychological questionnaire. [16][17][18][19] Meditation and relaxation therapy (MRT) help to combat anxiety and stress by increasing oxygen supply to the body and gaining control over one's own body, which in turn helps improve psychological and physical stability and the quality of one's lifestyle ahead. ...
Context
The diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma [OSCC] and its treatment phase is emotionally demanding for the patient and challenging for the surgeon. The induction of stress and anxiety is unavoidable in these patients. It becomes very important for the patient to have psychological as well as physical stability during this treatment phase. Various studies have reported the beneficial effect of meditation along with relaxation therapy on healthy individuals but the beneficial effect of meditation and relaxation therapy [MRT] to reduce stress and anxiety preoperatively in OSCC patients has not been reported in scientific literature.
Aim
The aim of this study was to study the effect of MRT on preoperative anxiety and stress in OSCC patients undergoing for oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Settings and Design
An experimental, parallel study design was carried out with randomization of patients into experimental[25] and control group[25] with allocation ratio 1:1 in 50 patients diagnosed with OSCC [stage II or III] scheduled for oral and maxillofacial surgery with general anesthesia.
Materials and Methods
The biopsy which was the prerequisite for the diagnosis was taken. Twenty-one days before surgery in experimental group, patients were oriented about meditation and relaxation exercises. The reorientation of MRT was done from the day of admission twice a day till the day of surgery. Physiological parameters for stress and anxiety like heart rate [HR], blood pressure [BP], pulse rate [PR], and respiratory rate [RR] were evaluated on 1 st day of MRT at 9 am and on the day of surgery. The serum cortisol which was quantitative parameter for stress was evaluated 1 st day of MRT at 9 am fasting and on the day of surgery. The qualitative analysis for anxiety was done preoperatively using visual analog scale on the 1 st day before MRT and compared with the values on the day of surgery after MRT at a specific time.
Statistical Analysis
Paired t -test analysis was used intragroup whereas unpaired t -test was used intergroup between experimental and control groups with significance at P = 0.05 and highly significant at P = 0.0001.
Results
The serum cortisol was significantly less in the experimental group over control group with t = 7.04 and P = 0.0001. The systolic and diastolic BP, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and anxiety in the experimental group reported significantly less rate compared to the control group with t = 5.66, t = 22.2, t = 11.93, t = 27.71, and P = 0.0001.
Conclusion
In our study, MRT in the form of Sukhasana, Anulom Vilom, Omkar chanting, and Shavasana for 30 min twice daily has shown positive effect to reduce stress and anxiety. The serum cortisol as a quantitative parameter has been effectively evaluated in this benchmark study.
... Studies have shown that these techniques not only help alleviate stress but also offer therapeutic benefits for conditions like cardiopulmonary diseases, autonomic nervous system imbalances, and psychological or stress-related disorders [18,19]. Slow pranayama breathing, in particular, has gained prominence as one of the most practical relaxation techniques, providing individuals with a simple yet effective means to relax and restore balance in their lives [20]. ...
The review encompasses the therapeutic effects of Pranayama practices on diverse health parameters. This review explores the Therapeutic Impact of Pranayama Practices on Physical and Mental Health. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of the Scopus, Research Gate, web of science, pub med and google scholar databases, looking for relevant studies focused largely on the Pranayama Practices on Physical and Mental Health. It underscores the importance of incorporating pranayama into fitness routines for a well-rounded and balanced approach to health Significant improvements in cardiovascular variables, including blood pressure, heart rate variability, and exercise tolerance. Respiratory indices, such as vital capacity and respiratory rate, displayed positive outcomes. Cognitive functions in conditions like type 2 diabetes were positively influenced by Pranayama. Mental health parameters, including stress, saw remarkable improvements. Physical fitness components, such as strength, endurance, flexibility, and body composition, demonstrated significant enhancements with the incorporation of Pranayama protocols. The review highlights the preventive and therapeutic applications of Pranayama in disorders ranging from psychosomatic conditions to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The evidence supports the integration of Pranayama practices into daily life for holistic health benefits. Further research is urged to unravel specific mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects and establish optimal guidelines for incorporating Pranayama into contemporary health and wellness strategies. This review contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of traditional yogic practices and modern healthcare.
... Death occurs when the air (Prana) leaves the body, so try to keep the air (Prana) in body. 15 ...
Cancer treatment produces many different side effects that can make the body weak or helpless. There are many methods of treatment of cancer which are helpless in removing these side effects. But a series of pranayamas and breathing techniques associated with them can be helpful in curing these side effects or symptoms related to cancer and in increasing the quality of life. Pranayama has been found in a pilot study to help cancer patient's sleep, reduce their anxiety, and may even work to enhance or improve their quality of life and mental health for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The use of Yogic Pranayama has been found to improve the quality of life and lifestyle from various side effects associated with chemotherapy. Various types of changes occur in the physical, mental and quality of life of the cancer patient due to the treatment methods given during cancer disease, in such a situation normal life remains full of challenges, in this condition many types of effective management are done for the treatment of cancer. In cancer disease, the drugs or therapies that are needed to reduce the side effects of cancer by a variety of methods are often too expensive or rarely effective. But to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, there is a need for a free and easily available therapy like Pranayama Yoga, which is much better than any other methods given in cancer treatment.
... Cardiac vagal and respiratory mechanisms are combined in the pranayama process. The brain stem and hypothalamus are probably answerable for inducing the parasympathetic response [22]. ...
Background
Pranayama, or yogic breathing technique, is now well-known worldwide by ordinary people, doctors, and scientific communities for its immediate and long-term physiological effect. However, no comprehensive physiological mechanisms explained pranayama. The present study proposed these physiological mechanisms to interpret the underlying science behind pranayama.
Method
The author searches PubMed/Medline internet sources for authentic scientific data and articles to acquire evidence following specific keywords. The author reviewed a total of seventy-three papers, following PRISMA guidelines. 17 full articles, including seven systematic reviews, five clinical trials, two observational studies, and three randomized control trials, have been selected to discuss proposed physiological mechanisms.
Discussion
This study proposes physiological mechanisms of pranayama. It is commenced from Step 1. Activation of mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors in the respiratory system; then Step 2. Activation of mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors in the circulatory system, followed by Step 3. Activation of brain respiro-circulatory control centre; Step 4. Activation of the cerebellum; Step 5. Activation of the limbic system and finally end with; Step 6. Activation of the cerebral cortex. The physiological adjustment and adaptation mechanisms due to pranayama of all these six proposed areas have been discussed. Authentic scientific evidence has also been presented to support these proposed physiological mechanisms of pranayama. The author stated the study's limitations and suggested future specific scientific experiments in this area of proposed physiological mechanisms of pranayama.
Conclusion
These prospective proposed physiological mechanisms of pranayama in the future may provide the best scientific background for therapeutic rehabilitation and for the healthy population to maintain their general wellness.
... Yoga is likely to be effective in promoting mental health since it induces parasympathetic nervous system activation and suppresses sympathetic nervous system activation (Pramanik et al., 2009;Ross and Thomas, 2010). Reviews have shown that Yoga contributes to reducing depression (Bridges and Sharma, 2017), anxiety, and distress (Cramer et al., 2018;Li and Goldsmith, 2012), and can improve self-compassion, spirituality, mindfulness, selfawareness, strengthened coping mechanisms, appraisal of control, and calmness (Riley and Park, 2015). ...
University students were at an increased risk for psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a randomized controlled trial, we examined the efficacy of an online Kundalini Yoga intervention on students’ psychological functioning. Healthy university students ( N = 106) were randomly assigned to a Kundalini Yoga group, an active control group, or a passive control group in a 1:1:1 ratio. The experimental group attended six Yoga sessions over 6 weeks and the active control group attended to six autogenic relaxation sessions over 6 weeks. All participants completed the study protocol, which involved answering questionnaires related to psychological distress, emotion regulation, self-compassion, self-concept, spiritual well-being, and subjective happiness at three different time points: baseline, at the end of the intervention, and at 1-month follow-up. Results showed that Yoga contributed to improving self-compassion, extrinsic affect improving, and personal and communal spiritual well-being, in comparison to the control groups.
... 1 Regular practice of yoga and pranayama (breathing exercises) is one of the ways to combat mental stress in our daily life. 2 Slow deep pranayamic breathing is reported as one of the most practical relaxation techniques. 3,4 It is a part of yogic techniques followed in ancient India. Pranayama is defined as a manipulation of breath movement. ...
... A slow breathing rate is typically defined as a rate of four to ten breaths per minute, and this usually results in decreases in heart rate and blood pressure when comparing slow breathing versus a normal breathing rate (10-20 breaths per minute) [26,27]. Slow breathing has also been shown to cause increased parasympathetic activity at rest, resulting in a reduced heart rate [28], increased heart rate variability [29,30], increase venous return [31], and decrease the systolic and diastolic blood pressure rates [32]. Moreover, it has also been shown that differences in the inhalation/exhalation ratio can impact markers of sympathetic or parasympathetic activity [33][34][35][36]. ...
Tactical occupations regularly encounter life-threatening situations while on duty. Although these occupations are often trained to utilize slow breathing (SB) during intense stress, there is no evidence supporting the effects on markers of stress in response to a virtual reality active shooter training drill (VR-ASD). The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of acute SB on biomarkers of stress in response to a VR-ASD. Seventy-nine (n = 79) subjects performed either slow breathing method 1 (SB1), slow breathing method 2 (SB2), or normal breathing (control) for five minutes, both pre-and post-VR-ASD. Saliva samples were analyzed for stress markers, including α-amylase (sAA) and secretory immunoglobulin-A (SIgA). Both methods of SB resulted in significantly lower sAA concentrations at 5 (p < 0.001) and 30 min post-VR-ASD (SB1: p = 0.008; SB2: p < 0.001) compared to the control. In the control condition, the sAA concentrations were significantly elevated 5 min post-VR-ASD (p < 0.001) but did not change across time in SB1 or SB2 (p > 0.05). Thus, both SB1 and SB2 reduced the sAA response and resulted in lower concentrations post-VR-ASD. This study was pre-registered as a clinical trial ("Impact of Breathing Interventions on Stress Markers"; NCT05825846).
... Our study also gave insights that Alternate breathing technique (AnulomVilom), a type of slow nasal breathing exercise, and Skull shining breath (Kapala Bhati Pranayam), which involves forceful breathing through the nose, have a fa- vourable effect (decrease in IOP). Pramanik et al showed that slow pace breathing exercise (respiratory rate 6/min) had the potential to improvise the autonomic nervous system through enhanced activation of the parasympathetic system, which may lead to a favourable effect (decrease in IOP) (16). Also, Pal et al showed that regular practice of slow breathing exercises like Alternate breathing technique (Anulom Vilom) for three months improved autonomic functions, while fast breathing exercises for the same duration did not affect the autonomic functions (17). ...
Introduction: Yoga is focused attention by breath and mantra. This forms the basis for a scientific investigation of its effect on various physiological functions such as intraocular pressure (IOP).
Objective: To evaluate the effect of asanas in Yoga on the IOP of practicing individuals.
Methods: A prospective, observational study was performed on 107 volunteers practising the asanas such as Sun salutation exercise (Surya Namaskar), Skull shining breath (Kapalabhati Pranayama), Downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana), Standing forward bend (Uttanasana), Legs up the wall pose (Viparita Karani), Alternate breathing technique (Anulom Vilom), Deep meditation (Dhyana), Bellows breath (Bhastrika Pranayama), Yoga head stand (Shirshasana) and control of breathing exercise (Pranayama) each for five minutes/day (40-60 minutes) for at least five days in a week for 12 weeks. The IOP measurement was
performed for each asana (before and after) at baseline and every four weeks. The primary outcome was the change in IOP. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0.
A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.64±7 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.2:1. Skull shinning breath, Sun salutation, Downward facing dog, Standing forward bend, Legs up the wall pose, Deep meditation and alternate breathing techniques showed a significant mean reduction in IOP at baseline,
followed by every four weeks, till week 12, while Yoga head stand, Bellows breath and control of breath led to a significant increase in IOP.
Conclusion: Yoga head stand, Bellows breath and control of breathing technique worsen IOP transiently.
... They used a four breath per minute average, and their results were great. Regarding the timing between inhaling, holding an exhaling in seconds, we took inspiration from [37], which uses with some success, a 4:0:6 breathing technique for stress management. ...
World Health Organization referred that common mental health disorders were the
biggest contributors to global disability during the year of 2015, with anxiety disorders occupying the 6th position. Currently, anxiety disorders have high prevalence
in society, and present early symptoms that are suited to be detected. With this thesis, we intend to produce a system capable of detecting the anxiety disorder early
symptoms before the onset of the full range of symptoms. Additionally, we want to
give another option to people already affected, in the form of monitoring their mental health, and the ability for them to react to their anxiety state quickly. Herein,
we are introducing a mobile health system — Anxolotl, that can detect and classify
multi class anxiety levels and detect binary panic states. Our solution is composed
by: a datacenter, intended to store anonymous physiological data and applying the
machine learning models; a message broker, aiming to provide scalability and decoupling to the system; and, finally a mobile app, which will work in tandem with
a wearable to capture physiological data. The app is able to track and monitor, on
a daily basis, its user’s anxiety and panic levels, filtering when the data is unreliable
based on activity. It also presents the users with guided breathing exercises for multiple mental health scenarios as well as some guided meditations, in an effort to help
its users. The Anxiety Engine model provided a 92% accuracy and 90% f1-Score in
classifying multi-class anxiety levels, training and testing with a dataset containing
124 entries, and our binary Panic Engine had an accuracy of 94% and a f1-Score of
94%. Both these scenarios were mainly achieved by using heart rate data, activity
context was also used in some scenarios. The code for these models is available at
https://github.com/nunogoms/Anxolotl-engines.
... A valuable addition to the active exhale is phonation. For example, the yogic technique Bhramari Pranayama (humming during the exhale) may be effective in cueing active exhales since it not only adds additional airway resistance on the out-breath, but it profoundly increases free nitric oxide (up to 15-fold at rest; Weitzberg and Lundberg, 2002;Pramanik et al., 2009). This may enable nasal breathing at higher intensities, or ease flow limitation. ...
IntroductionMany runners struggle to find a rhythm during running. This may be because 20–40% of runners experience unexplained, unpleasant breathlessness at exercise onset. Locomotor-respiratory coupling (LRC), a synchronization phenomenon in which the breath is precisely timed with the steps, may provide metabolic or perceptual benefits to address these limitations. It can also be consciously performed. Hence, we developed a custom smartphone application to provide real-time LRC guidance based on individual step rate.Methods
Sixteen novice-intermediate female runners completed two control runs outdoors and indoors at a self-selected speed with auditory step rate feedback. Then, the runs were replicated with individualized breath guidance at specific LRC ratios. Hexoskin smart shirts were worn and analyzed with custom algorithms to estimate continuous LRC frequency and phase coupling.ResultsLRC guidance led to a large significant increase in frequency coupling outdoor from 26.3 ± 10.7 (control) to 69.9 ± 20.0 % (LRC) “attached”. There were similarly large differences in phase coupling between paired trials, and LRC adherence was stronger for the indoor treadmill runs versus outdoors. There was large inter-individual variability in running pace, preferred LRC ratio, and instruction adherence metrics.DiscussionOur approach demonstrates how personalized, step-adaptive sound guidance can be used to support this breathing strategy in novice runners. Subsequent investigations should evaluate the skill learning of LRC on a longer time basis to effectively clarify its risks and advantages.
... Physical postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) are used for relaxation and meditation, with many pediatricians finding yoga to be an effective intervention. [43][44][45] Yoga practice results in more balanced cortisol activity in the neurological and endocrine systems. This in turn decreases stress. ...
Children and adolescents are more susceptible to the formation of mental health issues, since their brains are still developing. The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic response measures have disrupted daily life and left individuals socially isolated, including children and adolescents. In view of this, this study aimed to give a narrative review of the literature on the pandemic's effects on children's and adolescents' mental health, associated risks, and successful intervention strategies. There are still issues to be resolved to give children and adolescents in many regions of the world with quality, rights-based, and culturally relevant mental health care. It is difficult to predict how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect children's and adolescents' mental health in the short- and long-term. To address the mental and social health needs of children and adolescents after the pandemic, it is urgently necessary to perform longitudinal and developmental studies and introduce evidence-centered action plans and interventions.
... In contrast to uncontrolled fast breathing, generally linked to anxiety and stress, slow-paced breathing has been associated with relaxation and wellbeing (36). Several studies show that practicing slow-paced breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the brake pedal of the body causing the restand-digest response) and decelerates the sympathetic nervous system (the gas pedal of the body causing the flight or fight response) (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43). The interaction between these branches of the nervous system also modulates heart rate. ...
Sleep problems, like insomnia, are a prevalent condition associated with major health risks. Prevention and treatment of sleep problems are thus essential to preserve physical and mental health. Previous work supports the effectiveness of breathing guidance for sleep problems and recommends breathing exercises as an effective intervention for insomnia. While new technologies can support breathing guidance, such novel devices should be assessed for effectiveness and usability to facilitate implementation and continued use. The current pilot study investigates the acceptability and usability of a mobile tactile breathing device and explores its potential impact on subjective sleep quality. In this mixed-method pilot study, 39 participants tested the breathing device for one month in naturalistic circumstances. We collected their experiences, subjective sleep quality, and feedback regarding the usability of the device and the accompanying app through a survey in a pre-post design. The results show that the breathing device is an acceptable solution for sleep problems and participants particularly appreciate the standalone function and design. Nevertheless, important points of attention, such as the size of the device, were also identified. Explorative analyses suggest that subjective sleep quality improved after using the device and accompanying app. The current study supports the usability and acceptability of a tactile breath pacer and provides preliminary evidence supporting a positive impact of the technology on the sleep quality of participants. Recommendations for developers of breathing technologies and eHealth are devised based on the findings.
... Dorongan aferen dari baroreceptor mencapai pusat jantung yang akan merangsang aktivitas saraf parasimpatis dan menghambat pusat simpatis (cardio accelerator), menghasilkan vasodilatasi sistemik, penurunan denyut jantung dan daya(Ignatavicius, Workman, 2006). Hal ini juga sejalan dengan hasil penelitian(Pramanik et al, 2009) yang menyatakan bahwa setelah melakukan pernapasan dalam (frekuensi pernapasan 6x / menit) selama lima menit, terjadi penurunan darah yang signifikan, baik tekanan darah sistolik maupun diastolik, serta penurunan denyut jantung yang ringan.Vol.13, No.2, Juli 2022 ...
ABSTRAK Latar Belakang : Hipertensi merupakan suatu keadaan tanpa gejala, dimana tekanan yang abnormal tinggi didalam arteri menyebabkan peningkatannya resiko terhadap stroke, aneurisma, gagal jantung, serangan jantung dan kerusakann ginjal. Tujuan: Tujuan dari artikel ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh terapi slow deep breathing (SDB) terhadap tekanan darah pada pasien dengan hipertensi. Metode: Metode yang digunakan yaitu penelusuran literature riview dilakukan melalui Google scholar, Science direct dan PubMed dengan metode pencarian artikel menggunakan PICOTT. Penelusuran artikel dibatasi pada artikel teks lengkap, jurnal nasional dan jurnal international, yang diterbitkan pada tahun 2018-2022. Hasil penelusuran didapatkan 207 artikel dari semua basis data, 194 artikel Google scholar dan 13 artikel PubMed. Hasil: Hasil penelitian ini menemukan 10 artikel yang sesuai dengan kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi. Hasil dari literature review menunjukkan hasil dari setiap artikel yaitu terdapat pengaruh terapi slow deep breathing (SDB) terhadap tekanan darah pasien dengan hipertensi. Disarankan kepada petugas kesehatan dan keluarga untuk menerapkan terapi slow deep breathing (SDB) sebagai terapi komplementer untuk menurunkan tekanan darah pasien dengan hipertensi. Kata kunci : Terapi Slow Deep Breathing (SDB), Tekanan Darah, Hipertensi
... The results of our current study are consistent with those of a few previous studies on a variety of other pranayamas in normotensive and hypertensive patients [33][34][35][36] In a previous study, it was proven that the practice of sheetali and sheetkari pranayama showed a significant reduction in blood pressure and indicate that the changes are mediated by a change in sympathovagal nervous system tone [15]. "Another study shows similar results in which the practice of sheetali pranayama significantly reduces blood pressure in patients with HTN and improves heart rate variability" [16]. ...
Aims: To compare the immediate effect of Ice Massage (IM) to head and spine with cooling pranayama (sheetali and sheetkari pranayama) in hypertensive individuals on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability. Study design: An open-label, randomized, clinical trial. Methodology: 100 hypertensive subjects were selected and randomly allocated into Group 1(n=50) (cooling pranayama) and Group 2 (n=50) (ice massage to head and spine). Group 1 practiced each pranayama for 10 mins and Group 2 was administered ice massage for 20 minutes. Subjects were assessed for Blood pressure and HRV at baseline and after treatment. Result: There was a significant decrease in the blood pressure, heart rate, and LF/HF ratio and an increase in the HF power, NN50, and pNN50 values in both the groups after ice massage and cooling pranayama. But there was a larger significance found in group 2 (ice massage to head and spine) blood pressure variables (P≤0.001***), VLF (P =0.002**), LF (P =0.003**). Conclusion: The study showed that both ice massage to the head, spine and sheetali, sheetkari pranayama appeared to be effective means in the reduction of blood pressure. The immediate effect of ice massage on the head and spine is more effective in comparison to cooling pranayamas in the reduction of blood pressure in hypertensives.
... In another study in which thirty-six healthy nonsmokers volunteers in Nepal were subjected to a survey were asked to perform alternate nostril breathing (Nadisuddhi pranayama) in sessions for four weeks, which suggested fall in pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and rise in pulse pressure and peak expiratory flow rate [34]. The potential mechanism may be that the yogic breath, through activation of stretch receptors in lungs during high tidal volume inhalation as in Hering Bruer reflex, increases the frequency and duration of inhibitory neural impulses, which bring about the withdrawal of sympathetic tone in the skeletal muscle blood vessels, leading to widespread vasodilatation, thus causing a decrease in peripheral resistance and thus decreasing the BP [50]. ...
Yoga is increasingly recognized as a mind-body therapy for the prevention and treatment of several medical disorders. Yoga is an umbrella term that incorporates physical postures, breath-regulating exercises (pranayama), and meditation, and is known to maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This review summarizes the scientific evidence of the existing literature demonstrating the effects of yoga on various parameters and body systems and its role in strengthening the immune system and combat medical problems, particularly cardiorespiratory disorders, COVID-19, stress, anxiety, and depression. A growing body of evidence indicated that yoga can downregulate pro-inflammatory markers, boosts immunity, and have favorable modulating effects on the immune and genetic level. Such positive impacts of yoga have made it to be an excellent add-on therapy for a number of acute and chronic medical conditions. However, more studies are required to explain the mechanisms and beneficial effects of yoga on the cellular and molecular level.
... However, a notable difference is their inclusion of intensive guided breathing and mindfulness techniques and practices. Some breathing techniques in yoga influence the ANS via pulmonary stretch receptors during above tidal volume inhalation (Hering Bruer reflex) stimulating vasodilation (Pramanik et al., 2009). The current yin condition only guided participants' awareness to their breath, body, and the present moment. ...
Introduction
Due to the multi-composite, mind-body features of yoga, it is of interest to determine what effect exercise plays as a component of modern yoga in providing psychological and physiological health benefits, and whether benefits are enhanced with a combination of components. Furthermore, although the effects of regular, long-term yoga practice are well documented, the acute effects have received less empirical investigation.
Method
A within-subjects, repeated measures randomised controlled crossover trial with five conditions was conducted (trial registration: ACTRN12620000983909). Participants (N = 41, mean age = 32 years) with Depressive and/or Anxiety Disorders completed 1) yin yoga, 2) aerobic exercise, 3) vinyasa yoga, 4) stretching (sham) control and 5) no-intervention control. Acute changes in mood and cardiovascular tone were assessed.
Results
A significant main effect of condition on mood was observed (N = 38; F4,127.193 = 7.507, p = <.001). Participants receiving yin, vinyasa, aerobic exercise and stretching achieved comparable improvements in mood symptoms compared to no-intervention control. Cardiovascular changes were observed for aerobic exercise and vinyasa yoga. No adverse events were reported.
Conclusions
The acute mood benefits of a single initial session of yoga are not significantly greater than those derived from other forms of movement. Moderate-intensity styles of yoga can provide a sufficient and equivalent acute cardiovascular exercise effect to that of traditional exercise options (i.e., cycling).
... Thus, vagus nerve can be toned by regular practice of asana, pranayama, recitation of mantra and by positive behaviour. Pramanik, T. (2009) concluded that slow pace bhastrika pranayama with a respiratory rate 6/min shows improvement in the autonomic nervous system through enhanced activation of the parasympathetic system. Pal et al., (2004), Zaccaro, et.al. ...
Yogic Science is a word made of yoga and science where yoga means to ‘unite’ and ‘Science’ means systematic and logical way to prove any things. Yogic Science is a systematic and logical discipline to unite with the universe using Asana,
Pranayama, Mantra and behavioural modification. Asanas are performed to correct the posture, pranayama to regulate breath, concentration to control the unstable mind and mantras to connect with the inner soul. When all the above are performed as a single unit, the biological body is connected with cosmic energy ‘Paramattma'. Fig.1 show that ‘Yoga’ in totality is a means to connect oneself with the cosmic energy by activating the potential energy (Kundalini) which is present at different point of body (Chakra). Passive Chakras are awakened by practicing Yama, Niyam, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyan as mentioned by the practitioner of Hath Yoga.
https://www.jnu.ac.in/sites/default/files/Yogaday/YogaMagazine2021_EkatmaJNU.pdf
Pranayama, a controlled breathing exercise integral to yoga, has shown significant benefits for cardiopulmonary health. This review compiles recent studies on pranayama's effects on cardiovascular function, highlighting its role in reducing resting heart rate and blood pressure, thereby decreasing heart strain and helping prevent cardiovascular disorders. These benefits are driven by autonomic nervous system modulation, which promotes parasympathetic dominance, fostering relaxation and stress relief. Pranayama techniques, like alternate nostril breathing and deep-breathing exercises, demonstrate different efficiencies in improving cardiopulmonary response. Pranayama also enhances oxygenation and respiratory performance, positively influencing both physical and mental well-being. The growing body of evidence supports its inclusion in lifestyle interventions for preventing and managing cardiovascular conditions, making pranayama an essential tool for holistic health.
The objective of this study is to appraise the findings of previous and recent research papers for the physiological benefits of yoga for college-going students. Yoga is an ancient comprehensive approach for attaining mind-body fitness and consonance. Due to awareness and accessibility, yoga has obtained worldwide popularity in recent decades. Today Yoga is known as an art of well-being which can become a viable alternative to mainstream treatment. Previous research hs shown that yoga can serve as a vital applied science in various fields such as health, medicine, psychology, education, sports, etc. Yoga has an elaborate framework that attunes mind, body, and spirit to ideal energy levels. The versatility and explicitness of yoga are beneficial for every age group, especially children. Yoga programs can facilitate the multifaceted (physiological, psychological, and behavioural) development of children in educational institutes. These days college students struggle with several issues like learning difficulties, addiction, stress, and anxiety; high competition, malnutrition, low physical activity, etc. Currently, yoga is employed as a therapeutic intervention for students in many colleges. This review study focuses on college-based studies on the utilisation of yoga interventions published in journals and different publications. The present study suggests that yoga has positive effects on the physiological parameters of college students.
Advances in robot teleoperation have enabled groundbreaking innovations in many fields, such as space exploration, healthcare, and disaster relief. The human operator's performance plays a key role in the success of any teleoperation task, with prior evidence suggesting that operator stress and workload can impact task performance. As robot teleoperation is currently deployed in safety-critical domains, it is essential to analyze how different stress and workload levels impact the operator. We are unaware of any prior work investigating how both stress and workload impact teleoperation performance. We conducted a novel study (
n=24
) to jointly manipulate users' stress and workload and analyze the user's performance through objective and subjective measures. Our results indicate that, as stress increased, over 70% of our participants performed better up to a moderate level of stress; yet, the majority of participants performed worse as the workload increased. Importantly, our experimental design elucidated that stress and workload have related yet distinct impacts on task performance, with workload mediating the effects of distress on performance (
).
Background of the Study: After lower limb amputation, the functioning parasympathetic system is compromised so the regular practice of breathing techniques improves cardiorespiratory functions. To determine the effects of short-term fast-breathing exercises on parasympathetic functions in amputees. Methodology: The study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi, on 61 stable transfemoral and transtibial amputation patients within the duration of six months (January to June 2017), performed fast deep breathing exercises Parasympathetic functions were observed through different variables. Data was analyzed using IBM® SPSS® v 21. Results: Breathing exercises showed significant effects on HR with a p-value of (0.000), the Valsalva ratio had a p-value of (0.000), and oxygen saturation was improved in both control and experimental groups with p-values of (0.000) and (0.000). Valsalva’s BP systolic and diastolic p values were (0.001) (0.012), breathing exercise BP systolic and diastolic values were (0.16) and (0.000), and orthostatic testing BP systolic and diastolic p values were (0.134) and (0.389). Post Borg scale readings showed a significant decrease in exertion level Conclusion: The study concludes that short-term fast deep breathing exercise improves cardiovagal functioning.
Yoga is a popular Indian origin mind-body medicine for physical development, mental growth, and spiritual elevation. It enhances physical efficacy, emotional resilience, awareness and helps us to understand at deeper realms the purpose of life and aims to achieve the union of individual and universal consciousness. Various therapeutic advantages of Yoga include modulation of the epigenome by upregulation of genes which promote oxidative stress, mitochondrial and nuclear genome integrity, reducing the rate of aging and the biological age, stress reduction, hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis alteration, autonomic nervous system balance, increased heart rate variability, physiological, biochemical, and anatomical changes in the brain, and immunological modulation. Despite several research studies, the specific biochemical pathways underlying the benefits of Yoga and similar activities are still unclear. Yoga sets various physiological events in the body that aids in the reduction of the stress response. Stress is body’s natural tendency to respond to a challenging situation. Chronic stress alters the functioning of immune system by reducing immune cells functioning and increasing active immunosuppressive pathways in the body. The HPA axis, hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis, and sympathetic–adrenal–medullary (SAM) system are all thought to have a role in the immunological response. This chapter focuses on research that demonstrates changes in gene expression by modulation of methylome and epigenome, neurotransmitter, cytokine, and hormone levels as a result of yogic therapies which maintain a homeostatic metabolic profile of a Yoga practitioner. Hence, we summarize the mode of action of Yoga on multiple pathways and its role in positively modifying the psychoneuroimmunology of the body.
Background
The high prevalence of hypertension in India necessitates both pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures to control it. Here, we report the findings of a study to investigate the effectiveness of yoga therapy in lowering blood pressure (BP) in prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals.
Methods
This was a single center, nonrandomized controlled clinical trial, of 200 hypertensives and 100 prehypertensives patients. The control group received the prescribed antihypertensive and lifestyle modification while the yoga group was additionally taught simple yogic exercise by a trained yoga teacher. This training included intensive supervised phase 2-h training sessions in Ujjayi breathing, Bhastrika Pranayama and chanting of “Om” for 10 lessons, followed by self-performed yogic exercise at home for 1 h till the end of study at 1 year.
Results
The systolic BP (SBP) in the hypertensive yoga group was significantly lower ( t = 3.04, P < 0.01) than the control group at 6 months, but not so at 1 year (SBP t = 0.53, P > 0.05). In the prehypertensive participants, at 6 months ( t = 5.85, P = 0.00), and 1 year ( t = 6.385, P < 0.05) a significant difference was observed between SBP of the two groups However, no significant difference was observed between the diastolic BP among hypertensives or prehypertensives at 6 months and 1 year.
Conclusion
Our present study indicates that yoga therapy is a viable adjunct to pharmacological intervention to reduce SBP in the management of hypertension and prehypertension and that yoga should be incorporated in the treatment regime of such patients, specifically for individuals who have prehypertension.
Background And Objectives: Bhastrika Pranayama boosts airflow into the body, which produces heat both physically and subtly, igniting both the body's and mind's internal fires. This fast-breathing Pranayama increases energy, cleanses and regenerates the lungs, tones the diaphragm, heart, and abdominal muscles, improves circulation. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the physiological impact of Bhastrika Pranayama on healthy individuals using cardio-pulmonary variables. Materials and Methods: 110 healthy male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 25 were enrolled, and they were randomly divided into a control group and a Pranayama group. The parameters SpO2, SBP, DBP, HR, RR, and PEFR were noted for pre and post values for both groups were recorded. The parameters were measured using a peak flow metre, cardiac monitor, and pulse oximeter. The Pranayama group received Bhastrika Pranayama for 4 weeks whereas the control group received no intervention. Result: The Pranayama group showed a significant improvement in SpO2 (p≤0.05), RR (p≤0.05) and PEFR (p≤0.05) and a small reduction in SBP, DBP and HR. Whereas, no significant changes were observed in the control group. Discussion: Following 4-week of Bhastrika Pranayama shows improvement in PEFR, RR, and SpO2 while lowers HR, SBP, and DBP somewhat. The benefits of Bhastrika Pranayama in healthy people in terms of fitness-related health conditions, both in the short and long term, may also be revealed by future research.
Objectives
Slow-paced breathing entails voluntarily controlling one’s breathing rate to a frequency close to the oscillation frequency of the cardiovascular system. Accumulating evidence indicates slow-paced breathing improves cardiovascular and emotion functions. However, there is no meta-analysis that quantifies pooled effect of slow-paced breathing across studies with nonclinical populations.
Method
In this meta-analysis and systematic review, we synthesized the findings of 31 studies (total n = 1133) which investigated the effect of slow-paced breathing on cardiovascular and emotion measures. PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycARTICLES electronic databases were searched up to August 1, 2023. Random-effect modelling was conducted to compute pooled effect size across studies.
Results
Slow-paced breathing showed significant immediate effects in reducing systolic blood pressure (Standardized Mean Difference or SMD = -0.45, 95% CI = [-0.86, -0.04], p < 0.01), increasing time-domain heart rate variability (the root-mean-square-of-successive-differences-between-normal-heartbeats, or RMSSD, SMD = 0.37, 95% CI = [0.16, 0.58], p < 0.01; Standard Deviation of NN Intervals, or SDNN, SMD = 0.77, 95% CI = [0.26, 1.28], p < 0.01), and decreasing heart rate (SMD = -0.10, 95% CI = [-0.19, -0.01], p < 0.05). The effect in reducing negative emotion, particularly perceived stress, was marginal (SMD = -0.51, 95% CI = [-1.06, 0.03], p = 0.06). Limited evidence indicated persistent reduction of blood pressure 3 months post-intervention among prehypertensive samples. Preliminary analysis showed moderate association of the physiological and emotion effects of slow-paced breathing.
Conclusions
Slow-paced breathing demonstrated reliable effects in inducing short-term improvements in cardiovascular functions, and modest effect in reducing negative emotions, but its long-term efficacy in improving cardiovascular functions remains to be established. Future studies should continue to investigate the interrelations among the multifaceted effects of slow-paced breathing.
Preregistration
This review was preregistered on PROSPERO (Ref No: CRD42023450175).
Tennis athletes need a combination of low-intensity and high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic capabilities. Sports related fatigue, injury, stress and anxiety reduce the sports performance of a player. The main objective of any sports training should be to refrain from the onset of fatigue, stress and anxiety during competition and training. Integrated Yoga has been researched extensively. It shows that yoga helps improve psychophysiological components such as aerobic and anaerobic capacities, cardiovascular fitness, while reducing fatigue, competitive stress and anxiety. Yoga also improves relaxation and mindfulness, hence, improving performance. However, a valid yoga module is unavailable for tennis sports athletes. IYM for tennis players is developed based on ancient yogic text and previous research evidence. The yoga module was presented to 30 SMEs to evaluate and validate a total number of 82 practices included in the proposed module based on a three-point scale. The content validity has been calculated by applying Lawshe’s formula of content validity ratio (CVR). According to Lawshe’s formula, 0.33 is the critical value of CVR required for validation with 30 SMEs. Data analysis shows that out of 82 yogic practices, 41 yogic practices showed significant content validity (p<0.05). Results show that, among the 82 practices, 41 were found to be essential (CVR ≥0.33) and 41 were found to be not essential (CVR <0.33). However, the feasibility and efficacy of the Integrated Yoga Module for tennis players need to be determined by future studies.
Volitional yoga breathing techniques influence several physiological functions depending on the changes made in depth of breathing, relative duration of exhalation to inhalation, and breath frequency. The practice guidelines for three routinely practiced and researched yoga breathing practices (bhastrika pranayama [bellows breath], bhramari pranayama [bee breath], and kapalabhati pranayama [breath of fire]) were compared between the traditional written texts (i.e., Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita) and published research indexed in PubMed (a total of 73 studies ; 25 on bhastrika pranayama, 17 on bhramari pranayama, and 31 on kapalabhati pranayama). We compared the specifications for posture, time of day, location, and duration of practice; frequency, depth, and holding (kumbhaka) of the breath; speed and/or force and right or left nostril use for inhalation and exhalation; duration of inhalation relative to exhalation; thoracic or diaphragmatic breathing (or comparable terms in the traditional texts); mental state; physiological locks (b a n d h a s) ; and hand gestures (m u d ra s). Differences between the practice guidelines in the traditional texts and published research with respect to the depth of b reathing (bhastrika pranayama), re l a t i ve breath phase duration (bhramari pranayama), and breath fre q u e n c y (kapalabhati pranayama) are presented despite the findings being restricted to published studies from a single biblio-graphic database. Differences in the way yoga breathing is practiced could influence the physiological effects obtained, and differences between methods reported in published studies could make it difficult to summarize the effects of yoga breathing practice across studies. Chetry et al. Int J Yoga Therapy 2022(32).
The rapid spread of Covid-19 and the increasing burden on mental health and wellbeing require new ways of supporting families that have to maintain the new norms of social distancing. Therefore, there is a great need to search for ways to minimise the effects of COVID-19 on mental health. The purpose of the research is to evaluate a yoga intervention offered online to school-aged children in the UK by Patanjali Yog Peeth Trust UK (PYPT). The research will use a mixed-methods approach. It is intended that the research will provide an evidence base that will aid future studies.
Introduction-Asthma is a disease affecting the lungs causing airway obstruction, dyspnoea and cough with restlessness. Patients use multiple medications to control their symptoms but still, they are not relieved. Yoga has been used as a complementary therapy but many people fail to use it because of difficulty in performing it. This study was done with the aim to use four simple yoga exercises to find if any reduction in symptoms and benefits to the patients. Material & Method- 80 asthmatic patients were selected and placed randomly into two groups, the Case Group and Control group, with 40 subjects in each. The baseline Pulmonary Function Tests(PFT) parameters like Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second(FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity(FVC), FEV1/FVC and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate(PEFR) are measured in both the groups. Also, the Absolute Eosinophil Count(AEC) was measured in all participants. The number of patients suffering from acute exacerbation was counted and noted in each group. Then the Case Group participants were asked to perform Yoga for 4 months under the supervision of a Yoga Instructor. The Control Group was asked to take medicine as before and report after 4 months.
Yoga is an ancient Indian technique of healthy living. Numerous studies have corroborated yoga’s beneficial effects, including a favorable influence on autonomic function and negative emotions. Extensive research in the last few decades has revealed the critical role that yoga can play in eradicating stress. This has laid to the foundation for a scientific understanding of pathophysiological changes attributed to stress, particularly at the molecular and genetic levels. This primarily has helped understand the epigenetic and genetic mechanisms at play to induce and alleviate stress, particularly those related to emotional aberrations. As research has indicated, negative emotions are translated into vascular inflammation appropriately accentuated by a sympathetic predominant autonomic function. This cascade is bolstered by multiple factors, including activation of “stressor” genes and elaborating hormones, including steroids with sometimes nocuous consequences, particularly when chronic. Yoga has been categorically found to have inhibited each and every one of these baneful effects of stress. In fact, it also changes the neuronal circuits that potentiate such a plethora of pathological changes. This, in turn, has accentuated yoga’s relevance as a powerful preventive intervention in noncommunicable diseases (NCD). NCDs, including heart disease, stroke, and rheumatological disorders, are essentially inflammatory diseases that perpetuate inflammation in different beds like vascular or joint spaces. The precise mechanism by which yoga induces such beneficial changes is yet to be delineated. However, a cornucopia of pointers indicates that neural, endocrine, immunological, cellular, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms are at play. This chapter attempts to cobble together newfangled research to delineate a medical model for this 5000-year-old practice from India. This is imperative, as a mechanistic model of this ancient-but-complex system would enable a more comprehensive understanding of its mechanism and reveal its yet-undiscovered positive health effects.
Slow breathing at 6 breaths per min (corresponding to ~ 0.1 Hz) has been found to benefit psychological and physical health. In this study, we aimed to examine if paced singing at 0.1 Hz has beneficial acute effects on physiological function as compared to slow breathing. Participants were randomized to one of four experimental interventions prior to performing a mental stress task: paced breathing at 0.1 Hz (n = 26), paced singing at 0.1 Hz (n = 26), spontaneous breathing (n = 24), or spontaneous singing (n = 25). Heart rate, heart rate variability in the low (LF-HRV) and high frequency (HF-HRV) domain, blood pressure and affective wellbeing were assessed. As expected, both paced breathing and paced singing resulted in elevated LF-HRV. Moreover, both singing groups evidenced increases in heart rate, blood pressure and positive affect, thus indicating elevated sympathetic activation. Breathing and singing at 0.1 Hz had no robust effect on cardiovascular stress reactivity. Findings suggest that paced singing could constitute a promising alternative to slow paced breathing as it increases cardiovascular coherence, although more studies are needed to elucidate whether slow breathing and/or singing could ameliorate acute stress responses.
Pranayama (breathing exercise), one of the yogic techniques can produce different physiological responses in healthy individuals. The responses of Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) the Nadisudhi Pranayama on some cardio-respiratory functions were investigated in healthy young adults. The subjects performed ANB exercise (15 minutes everyday in the morning) for four weeks. Cardio-respiratory parameters were recorded before and after 4-weeks training period. A significant increment in Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR L/min) and Pulse pressure (PP) was noted. Although Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was decreased insignificantly, the decrease in pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were significant. Results indicate that regular practice of ANB (Nadisudhi) increases parasympathetic activity.
To evaluate effects of Hatha yoga and Omkar meditation on cardiorespiratory performance, psychologic profile, and melatonin secretion.
Thirty healthy men in the age group of 25-35 years volunteered for the study. They were randomly divided in two groups of 15 each. Group 1 subjects served as controls and performed body flexibility exercises for 40 minutes and slow running for 20 minutes during morning hours and played games for 60 minutes during evening hours daily for 3 months. Group 2 subjects practiced selected yogic asanas (postures) for 45 minutes and pranayama for 15 minutes during the morning, whereas during the evening hours these subjects performed preparatory yogic postures for 15 minutes, pranayama for 15 minutes, and meditation for 30 minutes daily, for 3 months. Orthostatic tolerance, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, dynamic lung function (such as forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced expiratory volume percentage, peak expiratory flow rate, and maximum voluntary ventilation), and psychologic profile were measured before and after 3 months of yogic practices. Serial blood samples were drawn at various time intervals to study effects of these yogic practices and Omkar meditation on melatonin levels.
Yogic practices for 3 months resulted in an improvement in cardiorespiratory performance and psychologic profile. The plasma melatonin also showed an increase after three months of yogic practices. The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and orthostatic tolerance did not show any significant correlation with plasma melatonin. However, the maximum night time melatonin levels in yoga group showed a significant correlation (r = 0.71, p < 0.05) with well-being score.
These observations suggest that yogic practices can be used as psychophysiologic stimuli to increase endogenous secretion of melatonin, which, in turn, might be responsible for improved sense of well-being.
In order to evaluate the influence of the respiratory cycle on the EEG, we compared the power spectral analysis of the EEG performed by fast Fourier transformation during inspirium and exspirium in 10 healthy subjects. The measurement was performed during spontaneous breathing and then during eupnoe (0.25 Hz), bradypnoe (0.1 Hz) and tachypnoe (0.5 Hz) paced by a metronome. In the course of spontaneous breathing and bradypnoe, there was an increase in the delta power and in the total power in the anterior temporal region during inspirium in comparison with exspirium. The eupnoe was characterized by an inspiratory decrease in the delta power in the parietal region and in the total power in the frontal region. The tachypnoe resulted in a decrease of the beta power in the central region and a decrease of the theta power in the posterior temporal and in the occipital region during inspirium. In comparison of the EEG in eupnoe, bradypnoe and tachypnoe, a decrease of spectral power of all spectral bands was found except for delta during faster breathing frequencies and vice versa with a significant difference which was found mostly between bradypnoe and tachypnoe, less frequently between eupnoe and tachypnoe.
Mind-body interventions are beneficial in stress-related mental and physical disorders. Current research is finding associations between emotional disorders and vagal tone as indicated by heart rate variability. A neurophysiologic model of yogic breathing proposes to integrate research on yoga with polyvagal theory, vagal stimulation, hyperventilation, and clinical observations. Yogic breathing is a unique method for balancing the autonomic nervous system and influencing psychologic and stress-related disorders. Many studies demonstrate effects of yogic breathing on brain function and physiologic parameters, but the mechanisms have not been clarified. Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY), a sequence of specific breathing techniques (ujjayi, bhastrika, and Sudarshan Kriya) can alleviate anxiety, depression, everyday stress, post-traumatic stress, and stress-related medical illnesses. Mechanisms contributing to a state of calm alertness include increased parasympathetic drive, calming of stress response systems, neuroendocrine release of hormones, and thalamic generators. This model has heuristic value, research implications, and clinical applications.
This study reports the effects of yoga training on cardiovascular response to exercise and the time course of recovery after the exercise. Cardiovascular response to exercise was determined by Harvard step test using a platform of 45 cm height. The subjects were asked to step up and down the platform at a rate of 30/min for a total duration of 5 min or until fatigue, whichever was earlier. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure response to exercise were measured in supine position before exercise and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 minutes after the exercise. Rate-pressure product [RPP = (HR x SP)/100] and double product (Do P = HR x MP), which are indices of work done by the heart were also calculated. Exercise produced a significant increase in HR, systolic pressure, RPP & DoP and a significant decrease in diastolic pressure. After two months of yoga training, exercise-induced changes in these parameters were significantly reduced. It is concluded that after yoga training a given level of exercise leads to a milder cardiovascular response, suggesting better exercise tolerance.
Pranayamic breathing, defined as a manipulation of breath movement, has been shown to contribute to a physiologic response characterized by the presence of decreased oxygen consumption, decreased heart rate, and decreased blood pressure, as well as increased theta wave amplitude in EEG recordings, increased parasympathetic activity accompanied by the experience of alertness and reinvigoration. The mechanism of how pranayamic breathing interacts with the nervous system affecting metabolism and autonomic functions remains to be clearly understood. It is our hypothesis that voluntary slow deep breathing functionally resets the autonomic nervous system through stretch-induced inhibitory signals and hyperpolarization currents propagated through both neural and non-neural tissue which synchronizes neural elements in the heart, lungs, limbic system and cortex. During inspiration, stretching of lung tissue produces inhibitory signals by action of slowly adapting stretch receptors (SARs) and hyperpolarization current by action of fibroblasts. Both inhibitory impulses and hyperpolarization current are known to synchronize neural elements leading to the modulation of the nervous system and decreased metabolic activity indicative of the parasympathetic state. In this paper we propose pranayama's physiologic mechanism through a cellular and systems level perspective, involving both neural and non-neural elements. This theoretical description describes a common physiological mechanism underlying pranayama and elucidate the role of the respiratory and cardiovascular system on modulating the autonomic nervous system. Along with facilitating the design of clinical breathing techniques for the treatment of autonomic nervous system and other disorders, this model will also validate pranayama as a topic requiring more research.
Blood pressure in normal adults in the present study population in Nepal is found to be less in comparison to that recorded in Framingham study, USA. To find out the cause of variation of blood pressure values, this study was designed. Blood pressures of healthy young subjects were recorded by mercury sphygmomanometer having standard Riva-Rocci cuff. The mid-arm-circumference of the same subjects were measured by a measuring tape. Blood pressure for male and female subjects was found to be 115/77 mmHg and 107/73 mmHg respectively. Mid-arm-circumferences of male and female volunteers were recorded approximately 25 cm and 23 cm respectively. As per rule, width of the cuff should be 40% of the mid-arm-circumference. Nevertheless, the calculated value of 40% of the mid-arm-circumference was found to be less than 12 cm. The calculated value of 40% of mid-arm-circumference for male and female volunteers was found to be approximately 10 cm and 9 cm respectively in this study population. So, the width of the cuff is relatively more than what it should be, for this study population. This may be the cause of less value of blood pressure in normotensive population in this study. Cuff size should be considered carefully to avoid misinterpretation of borderline hypertensives as normotensives.
• A hyperpolarization-activated non-specific cation current, Ih, was examined in bushy cell bodies and their giant presynaptic terminals (calyx of Held). Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were made using an in vitro brain slice preparation of the cochlear nucleus and the superior olivary complex. The aim was to characterise Ih in identified cell bodies and synaptic terminals, to examine modulation by presynaptic cAMP and to test for modulatory effects of Ih activation on synaptic transmission. • Presynaptic Ih was activated by hyperpolarizing voltage-steps, with half-activation (V1/2) at –94 mV. Activation time constants were voltage dependent, showing an e-fold acceleration for hyperpolarizations of –32 mV (time constant of 78 ms at –130 mV). The reversal potential of Ih was –29 mV. It was blocked by external perfusion of 1 mmCsCl but was unaffected by BaCl2. • Application of internal cAMP shifted the activation curve to more positive potentials, giving a V1/2 of –74 mV; hence around half of the current was activated at resting membrane potentials. This shift in half-activation was mimicked by external perfusion of a membrane-permeant analogue, 8-bromo-cAMP. • The bushy cell body Ih showed similar properties to those of the synaptic terminal; V1/2 was –94 mV and the reversal potential was –33 mV. Somatic Ih was blocked by CsCl (1 mm) and was partially sensitive to BaCl2. Somatic Ih current density increased with postnatal age from 5 to 16 days old, suggesting that Ih is functionally relevant during maturation of the auditory pathway. • The function of Ih in regulating presynaptic excitability is subtle. Ih had little influence on EPSC amplitude at the calyx of Held, but may be associated with propagation of the action potential at branch points. Presynaptic Ih shares properties with both HCN1 and HCN2 recombinant channel subunits, in that it gates relatively rapidly and is modulated by internal cAMP.
Responses from inflation of 1 lung with different pressures were studied using relatively intact dogs, dogs with denervated aortic baroreceptors and a controlled pressure to the carotid baroreceptors, and dogs with open chests and the inflated lung artificially perfused. Reflex tachycardia usually resulted from inflation of normally perfused lungs with 10 to 20 cm H2O pressure. Reflex bradycardia usually occurred during inflation of normally perfused lungs with pressure of 30 to 40 cm H2O provided arterial baroreceptor input was controlled, inflation with 20 cm H2O immediately following hyperinflation, and inflation with 10 to 40 cm H2O of an artificially perfused lung. Hindlimb vascular resistance usually showed a small increase during inflation at the lower pressures. At the higher inflation pressures vasomotor responses were variable and vasodilatation sometimes occurred. Although the mechanisms responsible are not known, these experiments define the conditions favoring different responses and help to explain the differing reports of previous investigators.
1. A maintained inflation of the lungs caused a reflex reduction in total systemic vascular resistance in anaesthetized dogs under conditions in which the systemic circulation was perfused at constant blood flow and the arterial blood P O 2 and P CO 2 were maintained constant.
2. The fall in systemic arterial perfusion pressure evoked by inflation of the lungs was accompanied by an increase in blood flow to the lower limbs and a reduction in their calculated vascular resistance. Since the fall in resistance occurred when the limb was perfused either at constant pressure or at constant blood flow, it must be due to vasodilatation.
3. Lung inflation caused vasodilatation in skin, muscle, and in the splanchnic vascular bed. The responses in vertebral circulation were, however, small and variable.
4. The vasodilator responses in the vascular territories studied were reflex in nature, being abolished by cutting the cervical vagosympathetic nerves, in which run the afferent fibres, or by interrupting the sympathetic pathways to the blood vessels.
5. In the intact limb, muscle, skin and splanchnic vascular bed, the vasodilator responses to lung inflation were unaffected by atropine or propranolol, but were abolished by hexamethonium, dibenyline and bretylium tosylate, indicating that they were due predominantly to a reduction in the activity in sympathetic adrenergic vasoconstrictor fibres.
In anesthetized, artificially ventilated rabbits with vagus nerve section, release from 10 consecutive hyperinflations (inflation volume = 3 tidal volume) caused an inhibition of the slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptor (SAR) activity for 16-22 sec. Intravenous administration of tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 and 20 mg/kg), a K+ channel blocker, did not significantly alter either basal SAR discharge or tracheal pressure (PT). Although TEA treatment at 10.0 mg/kg had no significant effect on the magnitude and duration of inhibited SAR activity seen after release from hyperinflation, the increasing dose of this K+ channel blocker up to 20 mg/kg inhibited these effects of the receptor activity but this inhibition was small. The Na+ -K+ ATPase inhibitor ouabain (5 and 10 microg/kg) that had no significant effect on SAR activity and P(T) in the control abolished or attenuated the inhibitory action of SARs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the changes in dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) and P(T) in response to post-hyperinflation were not significantly influenced by pretreatment with either TEA or ouabain. These results suggest that the inhibitory action of receptors seen during post-hyperinflation corresponded with the induction of slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP), and that the mechanism of generating the sAHP of SARs is mainly mediated by the activation of Na+ -K+ pump activity.
Since the original work of by Hering and Breuer in 1868 numerous studies have demonstrated that slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors (SARs) are the lung vagal afferents responsible for eliciting the reflexes evoked by moderate lung inflation. SARs play a role in controlling breathing pattern, airway smooth muscle tone, systemic vascular resistance and heart rate. Both anatomical and physiological studies support the contention that SARs, by their close association with airway smooth muscle, continuously sense the tension within the myoelastic components of the airways caused by lung inflation, smooth muscle contraction and/or tethering of small intrapulmonary airways to the lung parenchyma. In addition, intrapulmonary SAR discharge activity is sensitive to changes in P(CO2) within the physiological range. Despite this extensive characterization of SARs, their role in determining breathing pattern and airway tone in individuals with respiratory diseases is only recently being appreciated.
It is well established that a depressed baroreflex sensitivity may adversely influence the prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and in those with previous myocardial infarction.
We tested whether a slow breathing rate (6 breaths/min) could modify the baroreflex sensitivity in 81 patients with stable (2 weeks) CHF (age, 58+/-1 years; NYHA classes I [6 patients], II [33], III [27], and IV [15]) and in 21 controls. Slow breathing induced highly significant increases in baroreflex sensitivity, both in controls (from 9.4+/-0.7 to 13.8+/-1.0 ms/mm Hg, P<0.0025) and in CHF patients (from 5.0+/-0.3 to 6.1+/-0.5 ms/mm Hg, P<0.0025), which correlated with the value obtained during spontaneous breathing (r=+0.202, P=0.047). In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in CHF patients (systolic, from 117+/-3 to 110+/-4 mm Hg, P=0.009; diastolic, from 62+/-1 to 59+/-1 mm Hg, P=0.02).
These data suggest that in patients with CHF, slow breathing, in addition to improving oxygen saturation and exercise tolerance as has been previously shown, may be beneficial by increasing baroreflex sensitivity.
Stress has many mental and biological effects. In this review we discuss the cardiovascular effects of mental stress and particularly, the relationship between stress and hypertension. The issues include: physiology, effect on blood pressure, job stress, white coat hypertension and the effect on the treatment of hypertension. This interaction could help us to understand the hypertension associated symptoms and to decide on the appropriate treatment.
Meditation is a complex mental process involving changes in cognition, sensory perception, affect, hormones, and autonomic activity. Meditation has also become widely used in psychological and medical practices for stress management as well as a variety of physical and mental disorders. However, until now, there has been limited understanding of the overall biological mechanism of these practices in terms of the effects in both the brain and body. We have previously described a rudimentary neuropsychological model to explain the brain mechanisms underlying meditative experiences. This paper provides a substantial development by integrating neurotransmitter systems and the results of recent brain imaging advances into the model. The following is a review and synthesis of the current literature regarding the various neurophysiological mechanisms and neurochemical substrates that underlie the complex processes of meditation. It is hoped that this model will provide hypotheses for future biological and clinical studies of meditation.
We evaluated heart rate variability biofeedback as a method for increasing vagal baroreflex gain and improving pulmonary function among 54 healthy adults.
We compared 10 sessions of biofeedback training with an uninstructed control. Cognitive and physiological effects were measured in four of the sessions.
We found acute increases in low-frequency and total spectrum heart rate variability, and in vagal baroreflex gain, correlated with slow breathing during biofeedback periods. Increased baseline baroreflex gain also occurred across sessions in the biofeedback group, independent of respiratory changes, and peak expiratory flow increased in this group, independently of cardiovascular changes. Biofeedback was accompanied by fewer adverse relaxation side effects than the control condition.
Heart rate variability biofeedback had strong long-term influences on resting baroreflex gain and pulmonary function. It should be examined as a method for treating cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. Also, this study demonstrates neuroplasticity of the baroreflex.
Practitioners understand "meditation," or mental training, to be a process of familiarization with one's own mental life leading to long-lasting changes in cognition and emotion. Little is known about this process and its impact on the brain. Here we find that long-term Buddhist practitioners self-induce sustained electroencephalographic high-amplitude gamma-band oscillations and phase-synchrony during meditation. These electroencephalogram patterns differ from those of controls, in particular over lateral frontoparietal electrodes. In addition, the ratio of gamma-band activity (25-42 Hz) to slow oscillatory activity (4-13 Hz) is initially higher in the resting baseline before meditation for the practitioners than the controls over medial frontoparietal electrodes. This difference increases sharply during meditation over most of the scalp electrodes and remains higher than the initial baseline in the postmeditation baseline. These data suggest that mental training involves temporal integrative mechanisms and may induce short-term and long-term neural changes.
The modern living lifestyle is known to produce various physical and psychological stresses and subject the individual to produce oxidative stresses as well. The aim of this study has been to assess the effect of yogic breathing exercises (pranayama) on the oxidatives stress. The study group consisted of 30 young male volunteers, trained for the purpose of this study and an equal number of controls were used. The free radicals and Super oxide dismutase levels were measured before the study and at the end of the study. The free radicals were decreased significantly in the study group but the SOD was increased insignificantly as compared to the control group. Yogic breathing exercises not only help in relieving the stresses of life but also improve the antioxidant status of the individual. An improvement in the antioxidant status is helpful in preventing many pathological processes that are known with impaired antioxidant system of body.
The hyperpolarization and cyclic nucleotide activated current Ih is thought to have a role in rhythmic brain activity that is important in complex behaviors and might be perturbed in some neuropsychiatric diseases. We have used whole-cell voltage and current clamp techniques to characterize Ih in neurons from the subiculum-the major output region of the hippocampal formation. Subicular projection neurons are themselves classifiable as intrinsically bursting (IB) or regular spiking (RS) and Ih is present in both. Given the possible involvement of Ih in neuropsychiatric diseases, we have also characterized Ih in subicular neurons from rats that have been housed in individual cages (though still able to see, smell, and hear other rats) as these rats can display behavioral changes similar to those seen in schizophrenia. Individual housing is associated with a 4.4-mV depolarization of the Ih activation curve (P=0.0027) and an increase in mean firing rate measured in response to current injection (P=0.037) specifically in RS neurons and a change in the relative amplitude of Ih between IB and RS neurons. Thus, we have shown significant changes in a current thought to be relevant to psychiatric disease in a partial model of schizophrenia. Its further investigation might reveal chemical targets for novel antipsychotic drugs.
Hyperpolarization-activated cation currents, termed If, Ih, or Iq, were initially discovered in heart and nerve cells over 20 years ago. These currents contribute to a wide range of physiological functions, including cardiac and neuronal pacemaker activity, the setting of resting potentials, input conductance and length constants, and dendritic integration. The hyperpolarization-activated, cation nonselective (HCN) gene family encodes the channels that underlie Ih. Here we review the relation between the biophysical properties of recombinant HCN channels and the pattern of HCN mRNA expression with the properties of native Ih in neurons and cardiac muscle. Moreover, we consider selected examples of the expanding physiological functions of Ih with a view toward understanding how the properties of HCN channels contribute to these diverse functional roles.