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Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
DOI 10.1186/s13104-017-2625-6
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Hemisphere specic EEG related
toalternate nostril yoga breathing
Shirley Telles*, Ram Kumar Gupta, Arti Yadav, Shivangi Pathak and Acharya Balkrishna
Abstract
Background: Previously, forced unilateral nostril breathing was associated with ipsilateral, or contralateral cerebral
hemisphere changes, or no change. Hence it was inconclusive. The present study was conducted on 13 normal
healthy participants to determine the effects of alternate nostril yoga breathing on (a) cerebral hemisphere asymme-
try, and (b) changes in the standard EEG bands.
Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to three sessions (a) alternate nostril yoga breathing (ANYB), (b)
breath awareness and (c) quiet sitting, on separate days. EEG was recorded from bilaterally symmetrical sites (FP1, FP2,
C3, C4, O1 and O2). All sites were referenced to the ipsilateral ear lobe.
Results: There was no change in cerebral hemisphere symmetry. The relative power in the theta band was decreased
during alternate nostril yoga breathing (ANYB) and the beta amplitude was lower after ANYB. During quiet sitting the
relative power in the beta band increased, while the amplitude of the alpha band reduced.
Conclusion: The results suggest that ANYB was associated with greater calmness, whereas quiet sitting without spe-
cific directions was associated with arousal. The results imply a possible use of ANYB for stress and anxiety reduction.
Keywords: EEG, Alternate nostril yoga breathing, Cerebral hemisphere symmetry, Breath awareness, Quiet sitting,
EEG relative power, EEG bands
© The Author(s) 2017. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
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and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/
publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.
Background
e nasal cycle is an ultradian rhythm characterized by
alternating congestion and decongestion of opposite nos-
trils [1]. e nasal mucosal membrane has innervation
from the autonomic nervous system so that sympathetic
dominance on one side results in nasal mucosal vasocon-
striction hence increasing nostril patency on that side.
On the contralateral side there would be parasympathetic
dominance and nasal mucosal vasodilation resulting in
partial or complete occlusion of the nostril on that side.
e nasal cycle varies widely in periodicity. When a con-
tinuous recording of nostril dominance was made, time
series analysis detected periods of the nasal cycle at 280–
275, 165–210, 145–160, 105–140, 70–100 and 40–65min
bins [2, 3].
Werntz etal. [4] showed that the nasal cycle was also
related to the function of the central nervous system.
e finding that forced uninostril breathing has selective
effects on the EEG of the cerebral hemispheres was first
shown in 1983 and later on with greater rigor in 1987 [5].
is is believed to be due to a neural connection aris-
ing from the superior nasal meatus [6]. Activation of the
upper nasal cavity could be produced by air insufflation
without inflation of the lung [6]. Also local anesthesia
of the local mucosal membrane prevented the cortical
changes which follow upper nasal cavity activation.
In a comparison between forced uninostril breathing
and bilateral breathing, the peak power of beta2 in the
frontal EEG was lower during uninostril compared to
bilateral breathing [7].
e effects of forced alternate nostril breathing on the
EEG were studied in 18 trained persons who practiced
forced alternate nostril breathing for 10 min [8]. e
study aimed at differentiating between forced alternate
nostril breathing which began with inhalation through
Open Access
BMC Research Notes
*Correspondence: shirleytelles@gmail.com; officeprfms@gmail.com
Patanjali Research Foundation, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Maharishi Dayanand
Gram, Bahadrabad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand 249402, India
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Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
the left nostril compared to forced alternate nostril with
right nostril inhalation to begin with [8]. No difference
was reported. However the average power in the beta and
alpha bands increased during both types of forced alter-
nate nostril breathing. Also during the latter half of the
ten minutes of forced alternate nostril breathing there was
a decrease in hemisphere asymmetry in the beta 1 band,
which the authors described as ‘a balancing effect on the
functional activity of the left and right hemisphere.’
Yoga voluntarily regulated breathing (pranayama)
allows a practitioner to breathe through one nostril at
a time, effortlessly and selectively [9]. Alternate nostril
breathing is also a common yoga breathing practice [10].
In Indian medicine importance is given to uninostril and
alternate nostril breathing [11]. e effects of uninostril
breathing are described in detail, with left nostril breath-
ing described as ‘cooling and ‘calming’, while right nostril
breathing is described as ‘heat generating’ and energiz-
ing’, and alternate nostril breathing has been described as
‘harmonizing’ [11].
A previous study showed that 18min of alternate nos-
tril breathing lowered the systolic and diastolic blood
pressure in persons with essential hypertension con-
trolled by medication [12].
e present study was planned as a preliminary study
to assess the effects of alternate nostril yoga breathing on
the EEG.
e hypothesis of the present study was that alternate
nostril yoga breathing would reduce hemisphere asym-
metry in EEG as was observed for forced alternate nostril
breathing.
Methods
Participants
irteen healthy males with ages between 18 and 45years
residing in a yoga center in north India participated in the
study. ey were recruited by flyers on the notice boards
of the yoga center. To be included in the trial, participants
had to meet the following criteria: (a) the participants
had to have experience of yoga breathing (pranayama) of
at least 45min a day, practiced for at least 15days per
month, over a minimum period of 6months, and (b) the
participants all had to be right hand dominant based on
a standard handedness questionnaire [13]. e exclusion
criteria were (1) persons on any medication, and (2) the
presence of any illness, particularly psychiatric or neuro-
logical disorders. None of the participants were excluded
based on these criteria. e baseline characteristics of the
participants are given in Table1.
e experimental procedure was approved by the
ethical committee of Patanjali Research Foundation and
signed informed consent was obtained from each partici-
pant before beginning the study.
Design ofthe study
e participants were assessed before, during and after
the intervention. Each participant was assessed in three
sessions, conducted on 3 separate days, keeping the time
of the day constant for a particular participant. e three
sessions were (a) alternate nostril yoga breathing (ANYB),
(b) breath awareness (BAW), and (c) quiet sitting (QS).
Participants were randomly assigned to the three sessions
using a standard randomizer [14], hence the order of the
three sessions was different for different participants.
e total duration of each session was 28 min, i.e.,
5min before the practice, 18min during the practice, and
5min after the practice. During the practice the partici-
pants practiced ANYB, BAW or quiet sitting for 15min
with 1min of rest after every 5min of practice, so that
the duration was 18min. Hence the 15min were divided
into three epochs of 5 min each. roughout the ses-
sion participants were seated on a chair with their spine
straight and eyes closed. Recordings were taken contin-
uously in the pre, during 1, during 2, during 3 and post
periods of 5min each as shown in Fig.1.
Recording procedure
EEG was recorded using Ag/AgCl disc electrodes. e
scalp was prepared using Nuprep skin preparation gel
(Weaver and Co., USA). Electrodes with Ten20 con-
ductive EEG Paste (Weaver and Co., USA) were placed
at FP1, C3, and O1 referenced to the left ear lobe (A1),
and at FP2, C4, and O2 referenced to the right ear lobe
(A2); based on the standard 10–20 system for electrode
placement [15]. Participants were seated in a dimly lit,
sound and electrical-noise attenuated cabin adjacent to
the recording room. Participants were able to receive
instructions or communicate with the examiner using
a two way intercom. roughout a session participants
were observed on a closed circuit television, which they
were informed about prior to the session.
EEG was recorded using Neurotravel LIGHT (ATES
Medica Device, Italy). e sampling frequency was 250
samples per second. e low cut filter was set at .2 Hz
and the high cut filter at 30.0Hz. is had the obvious
limitation of not including gamma frequencies, which
could not be recorded with this equipment.
Table 1 Baseline characteristics ofthe participants (n=13)
ANYBalternate nostril yoga breathing
Age in years (group mean ± SD) 24.2 ± 4.7 years
Average years of education (group mean ± SD) 13.8 ± 1.6 years
Experience of yoga breathing including ANYB
(group mean ± SD) 38.8 ± 32.6 months
Experience of ANYB exclusively 29.2 ± 22.8 months
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Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
Interventions
Alternate nostril yoga breathing
e participants sat comfortably with their spine erect
and shoulders relaxed with eyes closed. ANYB involves
breathing through left and right nostrils alternately with-
out retention of the breath. In this practice the thumb and
the ring figure of the right hand were used to manipulate
or occlude the nostrils [16]. Participants were asked to sit
erect in either the half-lotus posture (ardha-padmasana)
or complete lotus posture (padmasana). ey were asked
to keep their eyes closed, gently, without effort. After
this they were asked to keep their non-dominant hand
(the left hand in all participants) on their left knee. ey
flexed the right arm at the elbow and raised their right
hand to the level of their nose. e index and middle fin-
gers of the right hand were flexed to rest their fingertips
on their palms, using their thumb and ring figure of the
right hand to manipulate or occlude the nostrils [16].
Occlusion of the nostrils was gentle. Participants were
asked to begin the breathing practice by exhaling through
the left nostril with the right nostril occluded with the
right thumb; then inhaling slowly through the left nostril;
followed by exhaling through the right nostril with the
left nostril occluded with the right ring finger; then inhal-
ing through the right nostril and exhaling through the left
nostril. With this exhalation one cycle was complete. e
approximate duration of 1 cycle was 6s; with the ratio
of inhale:exhale as 1:1.5 [9]. Participants were asked to
continue breathing like this for 5min. is was timed by
the yoga instructor. ey were then given 1min gap dur-
ing which participants were asked to remain with their
eyes closed and to rest their right fingers on their right
knee. is (5min followed by 1min) was repeated thrice
in the session.
Breath awareness
During breath awareness, the participants maintained
awareness of the breath without manipulation of the
nostrils. Participants were asked to sit erect in either the
half-lotus (ardha padmasana) or complete lotus (pad-
masana) posture and keep their eyes closed. During this
time both arms were extended and the hands were placed
on the respective knees. e instructor asked the partici-
pants to direct their attention to the movement of air into
and out of their nostrils and also direct their awareness
to the movement of air through the nasal passages. e
period of breath was 5min, timed by the instructor, fol-
lowed by instructions to allow attention to wander for
1min. is (5min followed by 1min) was repeated thrice
in the session.
Quiet sitting
Participants were asked to sit with their spine erect and
shoulders relaxed with eyes closed. Participants were
asked to keep their eyes closed and to sit in either the
half-lotus (ardha padmasana) or complete lotus posture
18 minutes
18 minutes
18 minutes
1 minute 1 minute 1 minute
1 minute 1 minute1 minute
1 minute 1 minute1 minute
CTRL
(5 minutes)
CTRL
(5 minutes)
CTRL
(5 minutes)
POST
(5 minutes)
BAW
(5 minutes)
BAW
(5 minutes)
BAW
(5 minutes)
POST
(5 minutes)
PRE
(5 minutes)
ANYB
(5 minutes)
ANYB
(5 minutes)
ANYB
(5 minutes)
PRE
(5 minutes)
PRE
(5 minutes)
POST
(5 minutes)
Fig. 1 A schematic representation of the study design. The stippled area represents pre, during, and post periods. The gray area represents gaps
between practice epochs
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Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
(padmasana). ey were asked to stretch their arms out
to rest the fingers of each hand on the respective knees.
Participants were told to allow their thoughts to wander
without restrictions. After 5min they were told there was
a 1min gap, though the instructions during the 1min gap
did not differ from the 5min preceding it. is (5 and
1min gap) was repeated thrice in the session.
Data extraction
EEG records were visually inspected for artifacts due
to eye or body movements. e recordings were all
free from artifact and no part of the records had to be
excluded for analysis. e artifact-free data were spec-
trally analyzed using fast Fourier transform analysis
(FFT). is analysis provided the relative power for each
band as a percentage of the total power. is was pro-
vided for the delta (.5–3.5Hz), theta (4–7.5Hz), alpha
(8–12) and beta (13–30Hz) bands. Also, the actual val-
ues of the average amplitude within a band for a specific
period (e.g., before alternate nostril yoga breathing) were
obtained. ese values were used for analysis.
Data analysis
Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS (Version
18.0). Repeated measures analyses of variance (RM-
ANOVA) were performed with two within subjects fac-
tors, i.e., Sessions (ANYB, BAW and QS), and States
(pre, during, and post). An ANOVA was followed by
post hoc tests for multiple comparisons with Bonferroni
adjustment.
e Bonferroni adjustment was carried out for each
of the multiple post hoc comparisons. e comparisons
which were considered were the ‘during’ and ‘post’ val-
ues compared with the ‘pre’ values of a specific session.
is was separate for each EEG band. With the SPSS soft-
ware Bonferroni adjustment multiplies the uncorrected
p value by the number of comparisons; hence α remains
unchanged [17].
Results
Repeated‑measures analysis ofvariance
(1) Energy of the EEG bands as a percentage of the
whole
e theta energy (%) at C4−A2 and O2−A2 showed
a significant difference between States (p < .05;
F=2.730, df=1, 48; p<.05; F =1.868, df =1,
48 respectively). e beta energy (%) at FP2−A
2
showed a significant difference between States
(p<.05; F=4.482, df=1, 48).
(2) Amplitudes of the EEG bands
e beta amplitude at O2−A2 showed a significant
difference between States (p<.05; F=8.400, df=1,
48). e alpha amplitude at C4−A2 showed a sig-
nificant difference between States (p<.05; F=.676,
df=1, 48).
For all comparisons the Huynh–Feldt epsilon was equal
to 1.000, hence sphericity was assumed.
Post‑hoc analyses withBonferroni adjustment
e theta energy (%) was significantly reduced at
C4−A2, and O2−A2 during the practice of ANYB com-
pared to the values before the practice (p<.05), for both
comparisons. In contrast there was a significant increase
in the beta energy (%) at FP2−A2 sites during QS com-
pared to before QS (p<.05).
ere was a significant reduction in the beta ampli-
tude at O2−A2 after the practice of ANYB compared to
before ANYB (p<.05). During the QS session there was
a significant reduction in the alpha amplitude at C4−A2
compared to before QS (p<.05).
ere were no significant changes following breath
awareness. e mean values ± SD for energy (%) and
amplitude at FP1−A
1, FP2−A
2, C3−A
1, C4−A
2,
O1−A1, and O2−A2 electrode sites pre, during and post
ANYB, BAW and QS are provided in Tables2, 3 and 4.
Significant changes in EEG energy (%) and EEG ampli-
tude are shown in Figs.2 and 3, respectively.
Discussion
Contrary to the hypothesis of the study alternate nostril
yoga breathing was not associated with any change in
cerebral hemisphere EEG symmetry. e relative power
in the theta band reduced during alternate nostril yoga
breathing (ANYB), while the amplitude of beta waves was
lower after ANYB. During the control period of quiet sit-
ting (QS) the relative power in the beta band increased,
while the amplitude of the alpha band reduced.
Hemispheric symmetry was determined (1) based on
coherence as calculated by the software (Neurotravel,
Italy), and (2) based on changes in the EEG amplitude
recorded at symmetrical pre-frontal, vertex, and occipi-
tal sites over the left and the right hemispheres. As men-
tioned contrary to the hypothesis, alternate nostril yoga
breathing did not alter hemispheric symmetry.
Changes in the relative power in the EEG bands
occurred during ANYB and during quiet sitting. ere
was a decrease in the relative power in the theta band
during ANYB at the vertex on the right side. Frontal
theta activity has been related to working memory [18]
and increased frontal and midline theta were related to
a positive emotional state [19]. In general, variations in
the power of theta and alpha bands of the EEG are related
to complex cognitive functions and memory perfor-
mance [20]. Hence the decrease in relative theta power
may be associated with a better ability to perform certain
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Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
Table 2 Energy (%) ofthe four EEG bands (μV2) pre, duringand post, ANYB, BAW andQS sessions
Comparisons were of post and during values compared with the pre values of the respective session, i.e., ANYB, BAW and QS. p<.05, RM ANOVA, followed by post hoc tests with Bonferroni adjustment
ANYBalternate nostril yoga breathing, BAWbreath awareness, QSquiet sitting
Sl. no. Bands ANYB BAW QS
Pre
M±SD During Post
M±SD Pre
M±SD During Post
M±SD Pre
M±SD During POST
M±SD
D1
M±SD D2
M±SD D3
M±SD D1
M±SD D2
M±SD D3
M±SD D1
M±SD D2
M±SD D3
M±SD
FP1 − A1Delta 31.5 ± 9.6 29.4 ± 12.3 28.9 ± 13.9 28.5 ± 12.2 27.5 ± 11.2 25.2 ± 10.4 24.0 ± 10.4 21.5 ± 10.1 25.5 ± 10.2 26.0 ± 10.4 29.6 ± 10.5 28.0 ± 11.9 28.9 ± 13.9 33.5 ± 15.9 30.8 ± 12.8
Theta 4.2 ± 2.7 2.8 ± 1.5 4.4 ± 4.0 3.5 ± 2.2 5.0 ± 4.1 3.6 ± 3.2 3.8 ± 2.8 4.0 ± 3.9 3.9 ± 2.6 3.7 ± 2.0 4.0 ± 3.5 4.2 ± 4.1 4.4 ± 4.0 4.3 ± 3.2 4.1 ± 3.3
Alpha 2.6 ± 1.5 2.9 ± 2.6 2.1 ± 1.5 3.7 ± 4.0 3.0 ± 2.3 3.4 ± 5.5 3.3 ± 4.8 3.6 ± 6.7 4.4 ± 7.2 3.7 ± 5.1 2.4 ± 2.0 2.2 ± 1.7 2.1 ± 1.5 2.3 ± 1.5 .2 ± 1.3
Beta .8 ± .4 .8 ± .4 .8 ± .6 1.0 ± .5 1.2 ± .8 .8 ± .8 .8 ± .6 .8 ± .6 1.0 ± .7 .9 ± .7 .7 ± .5 .7 ± .6 .8 ± .6 .7 ± .5 .8 ± .6
FP2 − A2Delta 28.4 ± 11.4 26.0 ± 11.1 27.3 ± 14.2 26.7 ± 12.9 25.6 ± 10.3 25.7 ± 9.0 24.2 ± 10.7 21.8 ± 11.3 25.0 ± 11.0 25.7 ± 11.5 27.8 ± 9.4 26.3 ± 12.2 27.3 ± 14.2 29.3 ± 12.1 30.1 ± 12.6
Theta 3.8 ± 2.4 2.8 ± 1.2 4.8 ± 4.4 4.0 ± 2.5 4.8 ± 3.6 4.1 ± 3.1 4.8 ± 3.6 4.6 ± 4.8 4.7 ± 3.4 4.3 ± 2.6 4.5 ± 3.6 4.8 ± 5.1 4.8 ± 4.4 5.0 ± 3.4 4.8 ± 3.5
Alpha 2.8 ± 1.8 3.2 ± 2.7 2.4 ± 1.8 4.6 ± 5.0 3.2 ± 2.5 3.7 ± 4.4 3.8 ± 4.0 3.5 ± 4.9 4.7 ± 6.1 4.1 ± 4.6 3.0 ± 2.6 2.6 ± 2.1 2.4 ± 1.8 2.8 ± 1.7 2.8 ± 1.7
Beta .6 ± .2 .7 ± .2 .7 ± .5 .2 ± 1.0 .9 ± .5 .7 ± .4 .8 ± .5 .8 ± .6 .9 ± .5 .9 ± .6 .7 ± .4 .7 ± .5 .7 ± .5 .8 ± .5* .8 ± .5
C3 − A1Delta 22.7 ± 6.1 21.5 ± 6.2 24.3 ± 5.5 20.9 ± 7.5 23.7 ± 6.5 21.3 ± 5.7 20.8 ± 7.3 21.7 ± 7.4 22.5 ± 8.1 24.2 ± 8.9 21.9 ± 5.0 23.4 ± 4.0 24.3 ± 5.5 24.7 ± 5.8 23.9 ± 5.3
Theta 9.6 ± 4.2 8.0 ± 3.0 10.4 ± 4.1 8.6 ± 3.3 10.4 ± 3.0 10.3 ± 6.6 9.4 ± 4.3 9.7 ± 4.4 9.8 ± 4.3 10.5 ± 4.9 9.1 ± 4.2 10.0 ± 4.2 10.4 ± 3.0 10.0 ± 4.1 8.6 ± 3.3
Alpha 14.3 ± 12.2 13.6 ± 11.6 13.5 ± 11.3 16.5 ± 16.4 16.3 ± 15.1 16.1 ± 15.0 15.6 ± 16.2 16.2 ± 16.8 16.3 ± 16.8 17.2 ± 17.4 15.1 ± 14.1 14.8 ± 12.5 13.5 ± 11.3 13.3 ± 10.4 13.4 ± 11.6
Beta 2.7 ± 1.5 2.6 ± 1.4 2.9 ± 1.5 3.1 ± 1.6 2.9 ± 1.4 2.6 ± 1.4 2.5 ± 1.5 2.6 ± 1.4 2.7 ± 1.5 2.7 ± 1.4 2.6 ± 1.8 2.8 ± 1.4 2.8 ± 1.5 2.8 ± 1.4 2.9 ± 1.5
C4 − A2Delta 24.6 ± 8.1 22.2 ± 8.1 26.8 ± 6.1 21.1 ± 8.9 24.7 ± 7.4 23.7 ± 4.9 23.0 ± 7.0 24.9 ± 7.2 26.1 ± 7.8 26.1 ± 7.8 24.7 ± 5.7 24.8 ± 5.5 26.8 ± 6.1 26.3 ± 5.3 26.6 ± 6.1
Theta 10.4 ± 4.2 8.2 ± 3.4* 11.5 ± 4.2 8.2 ± 3.4 10.6 ± 2.5 10.9 ± 4.1 11.0 ± 4.6 11.3 ± 3.9 11.8 ± 4.4 11.6 ± 4.6 4.2 ± 10.7 4.2 ± 11.0 3.0 ± 11.5 11.0 ± 3.8 11.1 ± 4.0
Alpha 15.4 ± 13.0 14.9 ± 13.5 13.2 ± 10.2 15.9 ± 14.3 14.7 ± 11.8 17.6 ± 15.2 16.1 ± 14.5 17.0 ± 15.2 16.8 ± 15.5 17.0 ± 16.2 14.8 ± 12.5 13.3 ± 10.6 13.2 ± 10.2 12.6 ± 10.0 12.5 ± 8.9
Beta 3.3 ± 1.8 3.7 ± 1.7 2.8 ± .9 4.2 ± 2.8 3.6 ± 1.9 3.2 ± 1.7 2.9 ± 1.3 2.9 ± 1.2 2.8 ± 1.3 2.9 ± 1.2 2.8 ± 1.1 3.0 ± 1.4 2.8 ± .9 2 2.8 ± 1.0
O1 − A1Delta 17.8 ± 5.3 17.2 ± 6.5 19.1 ± 6.6 17.5 ± 6.5 20.0 ± 8.2 16.8 ± 6.4 19.6 ± 10.2 18.3 ± 8.9 18.7 ± 9.0 20.1 ± 9.0 17.7 ± 6.3 17.5 ± 5.4 19.1 ± 6.6 19.2 ± 7.2 20.1 ± 6.8
Theta 6.7 ± 2.9 5.8 ± 3.4 7.2 ± 3.9 6.0 ± 2.9 7.7 ± 2.9 6.5 ± 3.2 7.2 ± 4.0 7.1 ± 4.1 7.5 ± 4.2 7.8 ± 4.2 7.0 ± 3.8 6.7 ± 3.4 7.2 ± 3.9 6.9 ± 3.7 7.2 ± 3.7
Alpha 21.1 ± 18.2 18.3 ± 17.4 15.4 ± 14.4 21.2 ± 21.0 19.1 ± 18.1 19.1 ± 18.2 18.1 ± 20.2 18.0 ± 20.1 18.5 ± 21.4 18.7 ± 20.8 19.2 ± 17.1 17.3 ± 15.6 15.4 ± 14.4 16.5 ± 15.8 17.2 ± 15.0
Beta 2.9 ± 1.6 2.9 ± 2.1 2.4 ± 1.0 2.9 ± 2.0 3.2 ± 1.8 2.6 ± 1.3 2.7 ± 1.6 2.7 ± 1.5 2.6 ± 1.4 2.6 ± 1.3 2.5 ± 1.2 2.5 ± 1.2 2.4 ± 1.0 2.4 ± 1.0 2.4 ± .9
O2 − A2Delta 19.7 ± 8.8 18.1 ± 7.9 20.9 ± 7.3 18.1 ± 7.4 21.5 ± 8.4 17.7 ± 5.1 19.5 ± 7.6 19.5 ± 5.6 20.1 ± 8.4 19.8 ± 7.5 20.3 ± 7.1 20.1 ± 5.6 20.9 ± 7.3 20.9 ± 7.6 20.7 ± 7.3
Theta 7.2 ± 2.7 5.8 ± 2.8* 8.6 ± 4.7 6.1 ± 2.2 9.3 ± 4.2 7.0 ± 3.3 7.8 ± 3.6 7.9 ± 2.6 8.1 ± 3.6 7.7 ± 3.2 8.0 ± 3.7 9.0 ± 5.0 8.6 ± 4.6 7.9 ± 4.4 8.2 ± 4.3
Alpha 20.8 ± 17.9 18.7 ± 17.2 16.3 ± 15.8 20.8 ± 17.4 19.0 ± 14.7 19.8 ± 21.1 17.5 ± 19.8 19.7 ± 20.1 18.3 ± 20.4 17.8 ± 20.0 18.6 ± 17.1 19.0 ± 17.8 16.3 ± 15.8 16.9 ± 16.6 17.7 ± 16.9
Beta 2.8 ± 1.3 2.8 ± 1.2 2.6 ± 1.4 2.9 ± 1.1 2.8 ± 1.1 2.5 ± 1.2 2.7 ± 1.5 2.8 ± 1.5 2.6 ± 1.4 2.5 ± 1.4 2.6 ± 1.2 2.7 ± 1.3 2.6 ± 1.4 2.4 ± 1.1 2.4 ± 1.1
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Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
Table 3 Amplitudes ofthe four EEG bands (in μV) pre, duringand post, ANYB, BAW andQS sessions
Comparisons were of post and during values compared with the pre values of the respective session, i.e., ANYB, BAW and QS. p<.05, RM ANOVA, followed by post hoc tests with Bonferroni adjustment
ANYBalternate nostril yoga breathing, BAWbreath awareness, QSquiet sitting
Sl. no. Band ANYB BAW QS
Pre
M±SD During Post
M±SD Pre
M±SD During Post
M±SD Pre
M±SD During Post
M±SD
D1
M±SD D2
M±SD D3
M±SD D1
M±SD D2
M±SD D3
M±SD D1
M±SD D2
M±SD D3
M±SD
FP1 − A1Delta 35.3 ± 16.8 35.0 ± 12.1 35.6 ± 19.5 31.2 ± 12.5 30.0 ± 15.1 34.3 ± 17.9 30.3 ± 15.4 32.2 ± 21.6 28.9 ± 14.8 28.7 ± 13.4 39.0 ± 20.0 35.4 ± 17.1 35.6 ± 19.5 37.4 ± 27.2 35.7 ± 19.1
Theta 12.1 ± 7.3 10.3 ± 3.2 12.3 ± 9.2 10.5 ± 3.5 11.1 ± 5.4 11.7 ± 8.7 11.8 ± 7.2 11.2 ± 6.1 9.9 ± 3.9 9.8 ± 4.6 12.8 ± 8.3 12.0 ± 8.0 12.3 ± 9.2 12.5 ± 8.8 11.7 ± 7.0
Alpha 9.1 ± 4.0 9.3 ± 4.3 8.3 ± 4.8 9.9 ± 5.3 8.5 ± 5.2 8.8 ± 4.4 8.4 ± 4.7 9.0 ± 6.0 8.6 ± 5.1 8.0 ± 4.5 9.1 ± 4.4 8.4 ± 4.5 8.3 ± 4.8 8.3 ± 4.7 8.3 ± 4.4
Beta 5.0 ± 1.9 5.3 ± 1.9 5.0 ± 3.0 5.7 ± 2.8 5.5 ± 3.3 4.9 ± 2.3 4.8 ± 1.9 5.3 ± 3.1 4.9 ± 2.3 4.8 ± 2.2 5.1 ± 2.7 5.1 ± 3.1 5.0 ± 3.0 4.9 ± 2.9 5.0 ± 2.7
FP2 − A2Delta 31.0 ± 13.7 30.8 ± 11.6 32.6 ± 19.2 27.0 ± 10.9 26.8 ± 13.3 28.6 ± 12.3 24.8 ± 9.8 29.4 ± 21.1 24.9 ± 12.7 24.5 ± 10.3 34.4 ± 15.8 32.9 ± 17.6 32.6 ± 19.2 33.1 ± 24.6 31.7 ± 16.6
Theta 11.3 ± 5.9 10.0 ± 2.9 12.2 ± 8.5 10.0 ± 3.2 10.5 ± 4.8 10.6 ± 6.1 10.2 ± 4.1 11.2 ± 6.0 9.8 ± 3.7 9.4 ± 3.6 12.4 ± 7.2 11.9 ± 7.4 12.2 ± 8.5 12.1 ± 7.8 11.5 ± 6.4
Alpha 9.0 ± 3.9 9.4 ± 4.3 8.6 ± 5.2 10.0 ± 5.4 8.5 ± 5.1 8.8 ± 4.4 8.5 ± 4.7 9.2 ± 6.3 8.9 ± 5.6 8.1 ± 4.4 9.6 ± 4.9 8.9 ± 4.9 8.6 ± 5.2 8.7 ± 5.1 8.7 ± 5.1
Beta 4.4 ± 1.1 5.0 ± 1.4 4.8 ± 2.2 5.8 ± 2.4 4.8 ± 2.9 4.6 ± 2.0 4.3 ± 1.2 4.8 ± 2.5 4.4 ± 1.7 4.3 ± 1.3 4.9 ± 2.0 5.0 ± 2.5 4.8 ± 2.2 4.8 ± 2.3 4.8 ± 2.1
C3 − A1Delta 14.3 ± 2.0 15.4 ± 3.1 14.8 ± 2.8 14.6 ± 2.1 14.0 ± 1.8 14.1 ± 2.2 14.1 ± 2.4 14.7 ± 4.4 14.1 ± 2.9 13.9 ± 3.0 15.7 ± 2.9 14.8 ± 2.4 14.8 ± 2.8 15.0 ± 3.4 14.8 ± 2.8
Theta 9.4 ± 1.6 9.2 ± 1.9 9.7 ± 2.5 9.6 ± 2.1 9.4 ± 1.9 9.2 ± 1.9 9.5 ± 2.1 9.8 ± 3.3 9.4 ± 2.3 9.0 ± 1.8 9.9 ± 2.5 9.6 ± 2.7 9.7 ± 2.5 9.6 ± 2.6 9.7 ± 2.8
Alpha 10.1 ± 5.6 10.8 ± 6.2 10.6 ± 6.8 11.9 ± 7.4 11.0 ± 7.1 10.5 ± 5.8 10.6 ± 6.5 11.2 ± 7.4 10.9 ± 6.9 10.1 ± 6.2 11.6 ± 6.9 10.9 ± 6.6 10.6 ± 6.8 10.6 ± 6.2 10.7 ± 6.7
Beta 4.8 ± 1.3 5.2 ± 1.5 5.1 ± 2.1 5.7 ± 1.7 4.9 ± 1.6 4.9 ± 1.5 4.9 ± 1.6 5.1 ± 2.1 4.8 ± 1.6 4.6 ± 1.5 5.2 ± 2.0 5.1 ± 1.8 5.1 ± 2.1 5.1 ± 1.9 5.2 ± 1.9
C4 − A2Delta 14.7 ± 2.0 15.3 ± 2.8 14.9 ± 3.3 15.1 ± 2.9 14.1 ± 2.5 14.7 ± 2.2 14.9 ± 3.3 14.8 ± 3.5 15.0 ± 3.1 14.4 ± 2.4 15.1 ± 3.1 14.9 ± 3.4 14.9 ± .3.3 15.1 ± 4.8 15.0 ± 3.6
Theta 9.5 ± 1.8 9.3 ± 2.1 9.7 ± 2.5 9.7 ± 2.0 9.4 ± 1.8 9.9 ± 2.3 10.1 ± 2.6 10.2 ± 3.1 10.2 ± 2.8 9.6 ± 2.1 9.8 ± 2.3 9.7 ± 2.5 9.7 ± 2.5 9.5 ± 2.4 9.5 ± 2.4
Alpha 10.8 ± 5.2 11.9 ± 5.8 10.3 ± 6.0 13.0 ± 6.7 10.7 ± 6.1 11.5 ± 6.4 11.5 ± 7.2 12.0 ± 7.9 11.6 ± 7.6 10.9 ± 6.8 11.2 ± 6.0 10.5 ± 5.7 10.3 ± 6.0 10.2 ± 5.6* 10.2 ± 5.6
Beta 5.6 ± 2.6 6.8 ± 3.4 5.2 ± 1.6 7.6 ± 5.1 5.5 ± 2.2 5.2 ± 1.4 5.1 ± 1.8 5.2 ± 1.9 5.0 ± 1.9 4.9 ± 1.6 5.2 ± 1.8 5.2 ± 1.9 5.2 ± 1.6 4.9 ± 1.5 5.0 ± 2.0
O1 − A1Delta 12.9 ± 3.7 16.0 ± 7.8 14.0 ± 4.8 17.1 ± 7.6 12.8 ± 3.4 13.0 ± 2.9 13.2 ± 3.8 13.1 ± 3.8 13.1 ± 4.4 12.1 ± 2.5 13.3 ± 14.7 14.7 ± 6.4 14.0 ± 4.8 14.5 ± 6.2 14.4 ± 5.7
Theta 8.0 ± 2.7 8.8 ± 4.3 8.4 ± 2.8 9.3 ± 4.0 7.9 ± 2.8 8.1 ± 2.6 8.3 ± 2.6 8.1 ± 2.5 8.2 ± 2.8 7.8 ± 3.1 8.5 ± 2.5 8.4 ± 2.7 8.4 ± 2.8 8.2 ± 2.6 8.3 ± 3.0
Alpha 13.5 ± 10.1 14.7 ± 11.2 12.3 ± 9.6 15.6 ± 12.3 12.6 ± 11.0 12.9 ± 8.6 12.5 ± 9.9 13.0 ± 9.8 12.5 ± 10.2 11.7 ± 9.7 13.5 ± 9.2 13.6 ± 9.8 12.3 ± 9.6 12.2 ± 8.9 12.5 ± 9.1
Beta 5.2 ± 2.2 6.3 ± 3.9 5.0 ± 2.0 6.2 ± 3.0 5.1 ± 2.7 5.2 ± 1.8 5.1 ± 1.9 5.1 ± 2.2 4.9 ± 2.0 4.6 ± 2.0 5.2 ± 2.1 5.1 ± 2.0 5.0 ± 2.0 4.9 ± 1.9 4.9 ± 2.0
O2 − A2Delta 13.2 ± 3.7 15.0 ± 6.0 13.9 ± 4.2 14.1 ± 4.1 12.3 ± 2.7 12.3 ± 1.7 12.1 ± 2.1 12.0 ± 2.8 12.5 ± 3.1 11.8 ± 1.8 14.1 ± 3.7 13.7 ± 4.0 13.9 ± 4.2 14.0 ± 4.9 14.2 ± 5.0
Theta 8.3 ± 2.5 8.6 ± 2.9 8.7 ± 3.3 8.5 ± 2.6 8.2 ± 2.4 7.7 ± 1.7 7.8 ± 2.1 7.9 ± 2.4 7.9 ± 2.1 7.6 ± 2.0 8.7 ± 3.1 8.6 ± 3.4 8.7 ± 3.3 8.3 ± 3.0 8.5 ± 3.4
Alpha 13.7 ± 9.2 15.0 ± 10.4 11.9 ± 10.5 15.3 ± 10.7 12.2 ± 9.1 11.6 ± 7.1 10.9 ± 7.1 11.4 ± 7.4 11.1 ± 7.3 10.6 ± 6.9 13.3 ± 9.9 12.5 ± 9.9 11.9 ± 10.5 11.7 ± 9.1 12.2 ± 9.8
Beta 5.2 ± 2.4 6.2 ± 3.3 4.8 ± 2.0 5.9 ± 2.5 4.7 ± 2.1* 4.6 ± 1.4 4.5 ± 1.5 4.5 ± 1.7 4.5 ± 1.6 4.3 ± 1.4 5.2 ± 2.2 4.9 ± 1.9 4.8 ± 2.0 4.7 ± 1.9 4.7 ± 2.1
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Page 7 of 9
Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
cognitive tasks, though the connection is not strong. e
theta activity increases in several conditions including
drowsiness associated with a decreased ability to perform
specific tasks [20].
e increase in relative power of the beta band of the
EEG during quiet sitting over the right prefrontal region
could suggest increased alertness, arousal and excite-
ment, which are associated with increased beta wave
activity [21]. Conversely, the amplitude of the beta wave
band was lower after ANYB recorded over the right
occipital region. Beta wave activity is not well under-
stood, and its functional role remains only partially
explained [22]. For instance research has shown that
increased beta wave activity generated in the motor cor-
tex is related to slow motor behavior [23]. A decrease
of beta wave power (i.e., desynchronization) is believed
to be an indicator of movement preparation, execution,
and motor imagery [24, 25]. An arousal based theory [26]
may help explain the changes in beta activity found in the
present study. e arousal theory suggests that increased
beta activity is associated with increased mental activity
or arousal [26]. is suggests that after ANYB there is a
decrease in arousal consistent with descriptions of yoga
breathing as calming [8]. During the quiet sitting ses-
sion, in contrast, the decrease in alpha amplitude over
the right vertex could suggest greater arousal associated
with random thinking in the absence of specific instruc-
tions [27]. is finding of increased activation during
quiet sitting has been found in other studies [28]. It was
suggested that the mental state during quiet sitting may
be comparable to the state of mind wandering and self-
referential processing [29].
Most of the changes described above (during and after
ANYB, and during QS) occurred on the right side. ese
results may be considered comparable to those of an ear-
lier study which assessed cerebral hemisphere specific
task performance in 135 participants, aged between 10
and 17years [30]. Participants were randomly assigned
to (1) left nostril breathing, (2) right nostril breathing,
(3) alternate nostril breathing, (4) breath awareness or
(5) a control state. Hence there were 5 groups (n= 27
each) who practiced the intervention they were assigned
to for 10days. At the beginning and end of the 10 day
period participants were assessed using verbal and spa-
tial memory tasks, considered specific for left and right
hemispheric functions, respectively. All four active inter-
vention groups (left, right and alternate nostril yoga
breathing as well as breath awareness) showed a signifi-
cant increase by 84% in spatial memory scores at the end
of 10days. ese results suggested that yoga breathing
Table 4 Left right coherence asa measure ofhemisphere asymmetry, recorded atprefrontal, vertex andoccipital sites
inANYB, BAW andQS sessions
ANYBalternate nostril yoga breathing, BAWbreath awareness, QSquiet sitting
Sl. no. FP1−A1
and FP2−A2 (max) C3−A1 and C4−A2
(max) O1−A1 and O2−A2
(max) FP1−A1
and FP2−A2
(2‑peck)
C3−A1 and C4−A2
(2‑peck) O1−A1
and O2−A2
(2‑peck)
Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD Mean SD
ANYB
Pre .92 .04 .89 .03 .79 .07 .87 .05 .86 .04 .72 .07
D1 .90 .05 .87 .05 .76 .10 .85 .08 .84 .05 .69 .10
D2 .90 .05 .88 .03 .78 .07 .85 .07 .85 .04 .71 .07
D3 .90 .05 .88 .04 .77 .09 .85 .08 .84 .05 .70 .09
Post .91 .04 .90 .03 .79 .07 .91 .18 .87 .03 .73 .06
BAW
Pre .90 .06 .89 .03 .78 .06 .87 .07 .86 .04 .72 .07
D1 .89 .06 .88 .03 .78 .05 .90 .23 .85 .03 .73 .06
D2 .90 .05 .89 .03 .79 .06 .86 .06 .86 .03 .73 .05
D3 .89 .05 .89 .03 .78 .05 .85 .05 .85 .03 .72 .05
Post .89 .06 .95 .22 .79 .05 .85 .06 .96 .41 .73 .05
QS
Pre .93 .05 .89 .03 .80 .06 .89 .06 .85 .03 .74 .05
D1 .91 .05 .89 .03 .80 .06 .87 .06 .85 .04 .75 .05
D2 .91 .05 .88 .04 .80 .05 .87 .06 .85 .04 .74 .06
D3 .91 .05 .88 .03 .79 .06 .87 .06 .85 .03 .74 .06
Post .92 .06 .89 .03 .80 .06 .88 .07 .85 .05 .75 .06
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Page 8 of 9
Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
increases right hemisphere task performance. In the
present study it is possible that during quiet sitting the
participants who were trained in pranayama practiced
yoga breathing inadvertently. It remains unclear why the
breath awareness sessions showed no change unlike the
study cited above. A possible reason is the small sample
size which is a limitation of the study. Also, the present
study assessed EEG, while the study cited above [30]
assessed verbal and spatial memory task performance.
It would have been ideal to record both measurements
simultaneously. Hence simultaneous recording of the
EEG and cognitive tasks could be a definite direction for
future research.
e findings of the present study are limited by (a) the
small sample size (n=13; effect size=.11 (low), and (b)
the inability to record and report the gamma band of the
EEG with the equipment used.
Despite these limitations, this may be considered a
pilot study which has results suggesting that ANYB
may be calming and may possibly influence cognitive
functions.
Conclusions
Contrary to the hypothesis of the study there was no
change in cerebral hemisphere asymmetry during alter-
nate nostril yoga breathing. Alternate nostril yoga breath-
ing resulted in a decrease in theta band energy at the
vertex and occipital sites on the right side. ere was a
decrease in the amplitude of the beta band after alternate
nostril yoga breathing at the right occipital site, while the
amplitude of the alpha band reduced during sitting qui-
etly without specific instructions at the right vertex site.
Also during sitting quietly without specific instructions
there was an increase in energy in the beta band at the
right prefrontal site.
ANYB (Theta, C
4
- A
2
)
PRE DURING (D1)
ANYB (Theta, O2- A2)
PRE DURING (D1)
CTRL (Beta, FP2-A2)
PRE DURING (D3)
Fig. 2 Energy of the theta and beta bands (μV2). Energy of the theta
band (μV2) showing a significant reduction at C4 − A2 and O2 − A2
during alternate nostril yoga breathing compared to before. Energy
of the beta band increased during quiet sitting compared to before
at FP2 − A2
ANYB (Beta, O
2
-A
2
)
PRE POST
CTRL (Alpha, C4-A2)
PRE
DURING (D3)
Fig. 3 Amplitudes of the beta and alpha bands (µV). Amplitude of
the beta band (μV) showing a significant reduction at O2 − A2 during
alternate nostril yoga breathing compared to before. Amplitude of
the alpha band decreased during quiet sitting compared to before at
C4 − A2
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
Page 9 of 9
Telles et al. BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:306
Importance andrelevance
Airflow through the nostril can impact the EEG. In this
case alternate nostril yoga breathing had effects on the
EEG suggesting that the practice can be calming and
reduce arousal.
Abbreviations
A1: reference (left ear lobe); A2: reference (right ear lobe); ANYB: alternate
nostril yoga breathing; BAW: breath awareness; C3: vertex, left side; C4: vertex,
right side; QS: quiet sitting; EEG: electroencephalography; FFT: fast Fourier
transform; FP1: left pre-frontal; FP2: right pre-frontal; M: mean; O1: left occipital;
O2: right occipital; RM-ANOVA: repeated measures analysis of variance; SD:
standard deviation.
Authors’ contributions
ST conceptualized and designed the study, interpreted the data, reviewed the
literature and prepared the manuscript. RKG assisted in compiling the manu-
script and completing the revision. AY collected the data, analyzed it statisti-
cally, carried out the literature review and assisted in manuscript compilation.
SP collected the data and assisted in the review of literature. AB conceptualized
and designed the study. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding from Divya Yog Mandir Trust
to conduct the study.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Availability of data and materials
The original data of individual participants are available in spread sheets and
can be accessed on request. At present we have no repository for these data
generated on individual participants.
Consent to publish
Written informed consent was obtained from participants to participate in the
study and to share images or data if required.
Ethics approval and consent to participate
The experimental procedure was approved by the ethical committee of
Patanjali Research Foundation and signed informed consent was obtained
from each participant before beginning the study.
Funding
The research was funded by Divya Yog Mandir Trust, Haridwar, India.
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in pub-
lished maps and institutional affiliations.
Received: 28 July 2016 Accepted: 13 July 2017
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