Pranayama Group Research Articles

Effect of Yoga on Respiratory Endurance Test in Medical Students

Introduction Yogic practices can be considered to be a very good exercise for maintaining proper health and also has a profound effect on the lung functions of an individual. They are also used as psycho-physiological stimuli to increase the physiological functions and human performance. The present work is undertaken as there was no reported data on comparison of pranayama & suryanamaskar practitioners in various pulmonary endurance functions. Materials & Method The present study was conducted at MNR Medical College & Hospital, Sangareddy. The Institute Ethical Committee approved the study protocol. Informed consent was taken from all the subjects. The study was conducted with 80 subjects (aged between 18 to 20 years), under the supervision of a qualified yoga trainer. Inclusion Criteria: Medical students of age between 18–20 years, Only volunteers who are interested in practicing Yoga, Non alcoholic & non smokers. Exclusion criteria: Previous experience of yoga training and physically challenged persons. Results The MVV, 40 mm endurance and chest expansion were significantly increased (p<0.005) in the pranayama group (Group-II) and suryanamaskar group (Group-III). But the RR was significantly decreased (p<0.005) in pranayama (Group-II), suryanamaskar (Group-III) and combined group (Group-IV) than control group (Group-I), (p<0.005). Conclusion The regular practice of pranayama and Suryanamaskar practice induces more beneficial effects than physical exercise which mostly affects skeletal muscles. To meet the modern life style which is full of challenges and stress, an all-round personality development has become mediatory for the student, this aspect of relaxation and detachment is lacking in our education system and it is this new dimension (yoga) that needs to be added to the curriculum.

Positive Effects of Yoga on Physical and Respiratory Functions in Healthy Inactive Middle-Aged People.

Context:Yoga improves physical and respiratory functions in healthy inactive middle-aged people.Aim:This study aimed to assess the effects of 8 weeks of asana and asana with pranayama lessons in order to clarify the influence of two different combinations of yoga practice on physical and respiratory functions in healthy inactive middle-aged people.Subjects and Methods:A total of 28 participants (mean age: 52.7 years) were divided into a yoga asana (YA) group and YA with pranayama (YAP) group. Participants attended a 70-min session once a week for 8 weeks. The YA group practiced basic asana without specific breathing instructions, while the YAP group practiced basic asana with specific breathing instructions (pranayama). Respiratory function was measured with an autospirometer. Physical function assessments included the 30-s chair stand test and upper and lower extremity flexibility. All tests were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.Statistical Analysis:Changes in scores were analyzed with the paired t-test for each group. Pre-post results were compared for all the measured values. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Both groups showed significant improvements in physical and overall respiratory functions after the 8-week yoga intervention. However, the maximal inspiratory pressure and lower extremity flexibility improved only in the YAP group.Conclusions:The 8-week yoga intervention for healthy inactive middle-aged people improved the overall respiratory and physical functions, and the inclusion of pranayama had the added benefit of improving inspiratory muscle strength and global body flexibility.

A comparitive study to evaluate the efficacy of selected Yoga techniques in Perimenopausal Women

Background: Menarche and menopause are the two major components of women’s reproductive life. Perimenopause is a transition stage from reproductive phase to non reproductive phase, which begins several years before the actual menopause. It demands priority in the Indian scenario due to increase in life expectancy and growing population of menopausal women. During this phase there is imbalance in the hormonal levels which causes both physical and emotional symptoms. Yoga, a potential alternative to hormone therapy, is currently being assessed for its therapeutic value in decreasing stress and other symptoms associated with Perimenopause. Hence this study was undertaken to see the effect of selected yoga techniques in reducing the physical and psychological symptoms in Perimenopause women. Materials and Methods: It was an Open Randomized Comparitive Clinical Trial of 2 groups was adopted with pre-test and post-test design. 25 subjects in each group were selected using the inclusion and diagnostic criteria with selected Yogasanas and Pranayama and selected Pranayama respectively. The subjects were taught with selected Yoga techniques for a week and given printed protocol. They were asked to continue the therapy for 60 days. The criteria assessed were irregular menstruation, hot flushes, night sweats, palpitation, fatigue, weakness, depression, insomnia, irritability, mood swing and anxiety on 0th, 30th, 60th and 90th day. Results: Selected Yogasanas and Pranayama has given statistically significant results in reducing all the physiological and psychological symptoms in Perimenopausal women whereas Selected Pranayama showed statistical significance in symptoms like Hot Flushes, Night Sweats, Palpitation, Fatigue, weakness, Insomnia and Irritability and showed no statistical significance in Irregular Menstruation, Depression and Anxiety. Conclusion: The symptoms were reduced statistically in Selected Yogasanas and Pranayama when compared to Selected Pranayama Group. Thus, Perimenopause condition will be effectively managed with Selected Yogasanas and Pranayama.

Effect of Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise tolerance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, many patients do not have access to pulmonary rehabilitation programs. We hypothesized that an alternative to pulmonary rehabilitation to improve exercise tolerance is the practice of pranayama, or yoga breathing, which could be done independently at home. We also sought to determine whether yoga nonprofessionals could adequately teach pranayama to patients. Proof-of-concept, randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot trial. Two academic pulmonary practices. Forty-three patients with symptomatic, moderate-to-severe COPD. Twelve weeks of pranayama plus education versus education alone. Two yoga professionals trained the research coordinators to conduct all pranayama teaching and monitored the quality of the teaching and the practice of pranayama by study participants. The primary outcome was a change in the 6-min walk distance (6MWD). Secondary outcomes included changes in lung function, markers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, and measures of dyspnea and quality of life. The 6MWD increased in the pranayama group (least square mean [95% confidence interval] = 28 m [-5 to 61]) and decreased in the control group (-15 m [-47 to 16]), with a nearly significant treatment effect (p = 0.06) in favor of pranayama. Pranayama also resulted in small improvements in inspiratory capacity and air trapping. Both groups had significant improvements in various measures of symptoms, but no overall differences in respiratory system impedance or markers of oxidative stress or systemic inflammation. This pilot study successfully demonstrated that pranayama was associated with improved exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Lay personnel were able to adequately teach patients to practice pranayama. These results suggest that pranayama may have significant clinical benefits for symptomatic patients with COPD, a concept that needs to be confirmed in future, larger clinical trials.

Effect of Pranayama on Ppar-γ, Nf-κB Expressions and Red Complex Microorganisms in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis – A Clinical Trial

Sudarshankriya pranayama is the control of breathing movements to regulate the energy flow throughout the body, which has shown to positively affect immune function, autonomic nervous system and psychologic-neuro pathways. The practice of pranayama has been proven to show several benefits such as reduction in stress levels, relieves anxiety and depression, increase in antioxidant levels, reduces insulin resistance and improves respiratory function. The objective of the study was to evaluate the levels of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPAR-γ), Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) and the presence of Red Complex Microorganisms (RCM) such as Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia in the subgingivalpl aque samples of chronic periodontitis subjects before and after intervention with pranayama as an adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing (SRP). A total of 30 subjects (control group) were treated with SRP and 30 subjects (pranayama group) underwent SRP and pranayama for three months. Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Bleeding Index (BI) and Plaque Index (PI) were recorded and the presence of PPAR-γ, NF-κB and RCM were assessed at baseline and after three months using polymerase chain reaction. ANCOVA test was done to compare the clinical parameters between the groups. Fisher's Exact test was done to identify RCM and Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon-signed test was used to identify the expression of NF-κB and PPAR-γ in the plaque samples. The change in the mean CAL from baseline to third month was significantly higher in pranayama group compared to control group (p≤0.05). There was a statistically significant reduction in the expression of NF-κB and increase in PPAR-γ expression levels in pranayama group on comparison with the control group (p<0.001). The reduction in number of positive samples with T.denticola, P.gingivalis and T.forsythia at third month post-intervention did not affect the change in the expression levels of NF-κB and PPAR-γ. The CAL showed significant improvement with reduction in the RCM, NF-κB and increase in PPAR-γ levels in subjects who underwent pranayama as an adjunct to SRP. In future, pranayama can be used as an additional treatment modality to provide a new dimension in treatment of periodontitis.

Combined effects of pranayama and suryanamaskar on dynamic spirometric values in normal young subject

Background: Good health and freedom from disease is the best achievement of life. Tremendous progress has been made in the field of medicine in recent years. Modern medicine as well as yoga has scientific basis and a universal outlook. It is gratifying that science has started acknowledging the effects of yogic techniques, whereas yoga has started using modern technology and scientific methods. Prana is energy; when the self-energizing force embraces the body with extension, expansion, and control, it is called pranayama. Suryanamaskar is the combination of asana and pranayama. They affect the milieu at the bronchioles and the alveoli particularly at the alveolocapillary membrane to facilitate diffusion and transport of gases. It may also increase oxygenation at tissue level. They have been integrated into physical education in many public and private medical schools across the world. The goal of this study was to identify the effect of pranayama and suryanamaskar on dynamic spirometric functions. Aims & Objective: To investigate the effect of pranayama and suryanamaskar on various dynamic spirometric values (i.e., FVC (L), FEV1 (L), FEV3 (L), FEF25–75% (L), VC (L), FEV1/FVC (%), and PEFR (L/s) after 6 months of a training program. Materials and Methods: The duration of the study was 6 months. The participants were divided into four groups namely control, pranayama, suryanamaskar, and combined group of pranayama and suryanamaskar. On the first day of the study, the subjects came to a training room and the following tests were conducted. The parameters for lung functions were forced vital capacity (FVC), vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in 3 seconds (FEV3), FEV1/FVC, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). The exercise regimen for pranayama and suryanamaskar included the following yogic procedures: bhastrika pranayama, kapalbhati pranayama, bhramari pranayama, nadi suddi/anulom vilom pranayama, pranava pranayama, and Suryanamaskar. Results: The VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV3, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and FEF25–75% values were highly significant in the pranayama group (group II) than the suryanamaskara group (group III). All the above values were highly significant (p < 0.05) in the combined group (group IV) when compared to the other groups. Conclusion: Pranayama and suryanamaskara practice exerts more beneficial effects than physical exercise that mostly affects dimensions of the thoracic cavity. Yoga is a technique of controlling and modulating breath and meditation, a process through which one attains a state of deep rest yet active state of mind. Recent studies on long-term yogic practices have shown improvement in respiratory functions. This aspect of relaxation and detachment has not been mentioned in our education process and it is this new dimension of yoga training that needs to be added to the curriculum. It can make students physically fit and enhance the learning process.

Comparative effect of 12 weeks of slow and fast pranayama training on pulmonary function in young, healthy volunteers: A randomized controlled trial.

Context:Pranayamas are breathing techniques that exert profound physiological effects on pulmonary, cardiovascular, and mental functions. Previous studies demonstrate that different types of pranayamas produce divergent effects.Aim:The aim was to compare the effect of 12 weeks of slow and fast pranayama training on pulmonary function in young, healthy volunteers.Settings and Design:This study was carried out in Departments of Physiology and ACYTER, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry in 2011.Subjects and Methods:Ninety one healthy volunteers were randomized into slow pranayama group (SPG), n =29, fast pranayama group (FPG), n = 32 and control groups (CG) (n = 30). Supervised pranayama training (SPG: Nadisodhana, Pranav pranayama and Savitri pranayama; FPG: Kapalabhati, Bhastrika and Kukkriya pranayama) was given for 30 min/day, thrice/week for 12 weeks by certified yoga instructors. Pulmonary function parameters (PFT) such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), ratio between FEV1 and FVC (FEV1 /FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and forced expiratory flow25-75 (FEF25-75), were recorded at baseline and after 12 weeks of pranayama training using the computerized spirometer (Micro laboratory V1.32, England).Results:In SPG, PEFR, and FEF25-75 improved significantly (P < 0.05) while other parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1 /FVC, and MVV) showed only marginal improvements. In FPG, FEV1 /FVC, PEFR, and FEF25-75 parameters improved significantly (P < 0.05), while FVC, FEV1, and MVV did not show significant (P > 0.05) change. No significant change was observed in CG.Conclusion:Twelve weeks of pranayama training in young subjects showed improvement in the commonly measured PFT. This indicates that pranayama training improved pulmonary function and that this was more pronounced in the FPG.

Effect of Fast and Slow Pranayama Practice on Cognitive Functions in Healthy Volunteers

To compare the cumulative effect of commonly practised slow and fast pranayama on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers. 84 participants who were in self-reported good health, who were in the age group of 18-25 years, who were randomized to fast pranayama, slow pranayama and control group with 28 participants in each group. Fast pranayama included kapalabhati, bhastrika and kukkuriya. Slow pranayama included nadishodhana, Pranav and Savitri. Respective pranayama training was given for 35 minutes, three times per week, for a duration of 12 weeks under the supervision of a certified yoga trainer. Parameters were recorded before and after 12 weeks of intervention: Perceived stress scale (PSS), BMI, waist to hip ratio and cognitive parameters-letter cancellation test, trail making tests A and B, forward and reverse digit spans and auditory and visual reaction times for red light and green light. Inter-group comparison was done by one way ANOVA and intra-group comparison was done by paired t-test. Executive functions, PSS and reaction time improved significantly in both fast and slow pranayama groups, except reverse digit span, which showed an improvement only in fast pranayama group. In addition, percentage reduction in reaction time was significantly more in the fast pranayama group as compared to that in slow pranayama group. Both types of pranayamas are beneficial for cognitive functions, but fast pranayama has additional effects on executive function of manipulation in auditory working memory, central neural processing and sensory-motor performance.

STUDY OF EFFECT OF YOGA ON BREATH HOLDING TIME IN MEDICAL STUDENTS

Yoga is the science of right living which includes postures, breathing exercises and cleansing practices. Yoga consists of five principles which include pr oper exercise, proper relaxation, proper breathing, proper diet, positive thinking and meditation. Pranayama is a controlled breathing exercise improves lung functions. This study was conducted to show the positive effect of pranayama on lung functions. S ixty first year M.B.B.S students of Sri Ramachandra University served as subjects. Age group of subjects was around 17 20 years of both genders participated in our study. Of these 60 subjects, 30 motivated students were selected to receive yoga training pr anayama group I and remaining 30 students will serve as controls group II. Breath holding time was analyzed before and after pranayama around the time of ten weeks. Results were analyzed accordingly. There is significant difference in breath holding time i n normal inspiration, maximum voluntary inspiration and after forceful expiration between group I and group II with p < 0.001 statically significant. Our results showed significant increase in breath holding time after regular practice of pranayama the sig nificance is more in breath holding time after normal inspiration.