Surya namaskara training for enhancing selective attention in orphan boys: A randomized control study

Abstract

Background: Surya namaskara (SN) training is a part of yoga; it consists of a sequence of postures done with breath regulation, relaxation and awareness of energy centers. The selective attention (SA) is a vital function mediated by the right frontal-parietal cortex. The cancellation tests require visual selectivity and a repetitive motor response. The six letter cancellation task (SLCT) is useful to assess functions such as SA, focused attention, visual scanning, and the activation and inhibition of rapid responses. Assessing SA in orphan boys (OB) is a part of the neuropsychological evaluation to know their academic performance (AP). Objective: To assess the effect of SN training on SA in OB using SLCT. Subjects and Methods: Sixty OB with 11.3 ΁ 2 years of mean age were divided randomly, using computerized random number table into two groups ( n = 30 in SN training group and n = 30 in control group). The SLCT data were collected before (pre) and after (post) the SN training and control of 1 month duration. Results: The Shapiro-Wilk Test and Paired Samples Test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16 (IBM Corporation, USA) showed that there was 50.75% increase ( P P Conclusion: The present study suggests that SN training may enhance SA among OB, thus, may prove useful for their AP. Additional well-designed studies are needed before a strong recommendation can be made on the efficacy of SN training for enhancing SA, and thereby improving AP.