Pranayama Techniques Research Articles

Exploring Yoga as a Sensory Based Intervention for Children with Sensory Processing Difficulties: A Systematic Literature Review

Purpose: This paper investigates the evidence of using yoga with school aged children to support their behavioural responses, self-regulation and motor abilities and their relationship between sensory processing difficulties. The aim is to determine if yoga can support individuals with sensory processing difficulties as a way to aid both sensory modulation difficulties and sensory motor disorders. Methodology: An extensive search was conducted for studies published between 2006-2017 for review (Medline, CINAHL Plus, Scopus, AMED, PUBMED, PsycINFO, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google scholar). In addition reference lists were manually searched for relevant studies. Duplicates and those not meeting the inclusion criteria were removed. Nine empirical studies met the criteria and were selected for this study. The reviewed literature explored the use of yoga practices including meditation, asana (poses), pranayama (breathing) techniques and/or relaxation to support children with behaviour and emotional regulation and their motor abilities. Findings: The reviewed literature explored the use of yoga practices including meditation, asana (poses), pranayama (breathing) techniques and/or relaxation to support children with emotional and self-regulation, behaviour, cognitive function and their motor abilities. Findings were limited yet, demonstrated how the different practices involved in yoga; postures (asana), breathing (pranayama) and relaxation offers several therapeutic tools to complement the sensory based interventions Occupational Therapists use with children with sensory processing difficulties. Value: The results highlight the need for further research in this area with more robust designs of larger sample sizes and longer duration of intervention in order to ensure the efficacy of this practice as a sensory based intervention.

Effects of yoga (pranayama) on lung function and lactate kinetics in sedentary adults at intermediate altitude

Introducción. La medicina basada en evidencia clínica encuentra cada vez más beneficios del yoga en sus practicantes.Objetivo. Describir los efectos en la función pulmonar y la cinética del lactato ocasionados por la práctica de pranayamas en adultos con apariencia saludable.Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental en adultos sedentarios sin experiencia en la práctica de yoga, quienes realizaron un estímulo durante 12 semanas con un frecuencia mínima de dos sesiones por semana. Se dividieron en un grupo de yoga (GY) y un grupo de control (GC). Se determinó composición corporal, presión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca, doble producto (DP), saturación periférica de oxígeno (SpO2), lactato en sangre (Lacts), hematocrito (Htc) por micrométodo, y espirometría previa y posterior a un plan de entrenamiento con pranayamas. Las variables analizadas fueron: capacidad vital forzada (CVF), volumen espiratorio forzado del primer segundo (VEF1) y relación VEF1/CVF.Resultados. Los resultados de la CVF, VEF1 y lactato presentaron diferencias significativas entre el GY y el GC (p<0.05), antes y después del estímulo en el GY (p<0.05). El doble producto mejoró en ambos grupos.Conclusiones. La práctica dirigida de pranayamas durante 12 semanas mejoró la CVF, el VEF1, el doble producto (p<0.05) y la capacidad de producción de lactato (capacidad anaeróbica).

Effect of Pranayama Techniques on Selected Lung Functions among Intercollegiate Players

Effect of Pranayama Techniques on Selected Lung Functions among Intercollegiate Players

A pilot study on evaluating cardiovascular functions during the practice of Bahir Kumbhaka (external breath retention)

BackgroundBreath is the dynamic bridge between body and mind and Pranayama (breathing techniques) is one of the most important yogic practices. There is a lack of scientific evidence on cardiovascular functions during the practice of pranayama techniques, especially Kumbhaka. Hence, this present study aims at evaluating the cardiovascular functions of healthy volunteers during the practice of Bahir Kumbhaka (BK) (external breath retention). Materials and methodsNineteen healthy volunteers with the mean (standard deviation) age of 23.53 (3.08) were recruited. All the subjects were asked to perform BK for the duration of 30s (1 round) and repeat the same for 3-rounds with the rest period of 1min between each round. Baseline, during and post assessments were taken before, during and immediately after the practice. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures of analysis of variance with the use of statistical package for the social sciences, version 16. ResultsResult of this study showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and rate pressure product (RPP) during the practice of BK which was revert back to normal after the practice; and a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and double product (Do-P) during the practice of BK which did not revert back to normal even after the practice. ConclusionThe result of this pilot study suggests that the practice of BK increases the SBP, DBP, MAP, RPP and Do-P during the practice.

Cerebrovascular hemodynamics during pranayama techniques.

Background:Pranayama techniques are known to produce variable physiological effects on the body. We evaluated the effect of the two commonly practiced Pranayama techniques on cerebral hemodynamics.Materials and Methods:Fifteen healthy male volunteers, trained in Yoga and Pranayama, were included in the study. Mean age was 24 years (range 22–32 years). Study participants performed 2 Pranayamas in 2 different orders. Order 1 (n = 7) performed Bhastrika (bellows breaths) followed by Kumbhaka (breath retention) while order 2 (n = 8) performed Kumbhaka followed by Bhastrika. Both breathing techniques were performed for 1 min each. Continuous transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring was performed during the breathing techniques. TCD parameters that were recorded included peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean flow velocity (MFV), and pulsatility index (PI) of the right middle cerebral artery at baseline, 15, 30, 45, and 60 s.Results:Significant reductions in EDV (3.67 ± 6.48; P < 0.001) and MFV (22.00 ± 7.30; P < 0.001) with a significant increase in PI (2.43 ± 0.76; P < 0.001) were observed during Bhastrika. On the contrary, a significant increase in PSV (65.27 ± 13.75; P < 0.001), EDV (28.67 ± 12.03; P < 0.001), and MFV (43.67 ± 12.85; P < 0.001) with a significant reduction in PI (0.89 ± 0.28; P < 0.01) was observed only during Kumbhaka.Conclusion:Bhastrika and Kumbhaka practices of Pranayama produce considerable and opposing effects on cerebral hemodynamic parameters. Our findings may play a potential role in designing the Pranayama techniques according to patients’ requirements.

A modified breathing exercise program for asthma is easy to perform and effective

Objectives: Breathing exercises are used by some asthmatic patients, yet are often difficult to perform and time-consuming. This study evaluated a simple, modified breathing exercise program regarding ease to perform and effectiveness as an adjunctive therapy. Methods: Subjects age 18 to 65 with a current diagnosis of persistent asthma were enrolled. A program that incorporated three different breathing exercises (yoga pranayama techniques, diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip breathing) was taught to subjects. The program was designed to be completed in less than 10 minutes per day. Subjects completed the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and mini-Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) at baseline and at 1-month follow-up. They also completed a survey that asked them to rate the effectiveness and difficulty of the exercises, and whether they would recommend them in the future. Results: A total of 74 subjects were enrolled in this study. The intervention improved breathing for 52.9% of the subjects, while 67.6% felt that their daily activity was improved and 66.1% noted that the exercises allowed decreased use of a rescue inhaler. Most subjects (80.9%) recommended breathing exercises as a complementary therapy for asthma and 79.4% of the subjects stated the exercises took less than 10 minutes per day total. Overall, ACT scores improved significantly (p = 0.002) with a statistically non-significant improvement in AQLQ scores. Conclusion: A simple program of breathing exercises was found to be effective and could be completed in less than 10 minutes per day. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant improvement in ACT scores post-exercise.

Emotional aspects and pranayama in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: A randomized controlled trial

Objective:Emotional disturbances are commonly experienced by cancer patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of certain Pranayama techniques on the emotional aspects such as impatience, worry, anxiety, and frustration among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy in India.Methods:The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Patients were recruited when they were seeking radiation therapy for breast cancer. They were allocated into two groups using block randomization technique. The experimental group performed Pranayama along with radiation therapy, whereas the control group received only routine care.Results:Emotional aspects of the two groups were compared at the end of the treatment. Mann–Whitney U-test was used for comparison as the data were not following normality. It showed a significant difference between the two groups with the group who performed Pranayama showing a lesser mean score for these negative emotions.Conclusions:Pranayama might help in controlling the negative emotions likely to be faced by breast cancer patients, and it can be used as a supportive therapy for breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

Effect of Different Pranayamas on Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia.

Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) is the differential change of Heart Rate (HR) in response to inspiration and expiration. This is a noninvasive sensitive index of parasympathetic cardiac control. To evaluate changes in RSA by utilizing a simple and cost-effective analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings obtained during performance of four pranayama techniques. Fifty two trained volunteers performed the following pranayamas with different ratios for inspiration and expiration: sukha (1:1), traditional (1:2), pranava (1:3) and savitri (2:1:2:1) and ECG was recorded while performing the techniques with rest period of 5 minutes in-between. HR was calculated and maximum HR during inspiration (Imax), minimum HR during expiration (Emin), differences between Imax and Emin (Δ), percentage differences between I(max) and Emin (Δ%) and expiration: inspiration ratio (E:I) calculated by respective formulae. Statistical analysis was carried out using repeated measures of ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test. There were significant differences between groups in all five aspects namely: p= 0.0093 for mean Imax, p = 0.0009 for mean Emin, and p < 0.0001 for Δ HR (I-E), Δ% HR (I-E) and E:I ratio. Pranava pranayama produced the greatest changes in all five comparisons. We suggest that further short and long term studies be undertaken with pranava pranayama in patients to further qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate inherent mechanisms of this simple technique. Addition of these cost-effective techniques to the medical armory will help patients of rhythm disorders and other cardiovascular conditions.

Effectiveness of pranayama on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy: A randomized controlled trial.

Context:Incidence of breast cancer is very high among women around the world. Breast cancer patients experience cancer-related fatigue at some points during the treatment for breast cancer. Since cancer-related fatigue is of multifactorial origin, there are no evidence-based treatment strategies for fatigue. This study tested the effectiveness of certain pranayama techniques in reducing cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.Aims:The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of pranayama on cancer-related fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy as measured by cancer fatigue scale.Settings and Design:Shirdi Sai Baba Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Kasturba Hospital Manipal.Materials and Methods:Study was a randomized controlled trial done among breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.Statistical Analysis Used:Demographic characteristics of the participants are presented as frequency and percentage. Comparison of means of cancer-related fatigue between the two groups is done by Mann-Whitney U-test and comparison of pre- and pos t-test means of cancer-related fatigue among the experimental group is done by Wilcoxon sign rank test.Results:There was a significant difference between the two groups with regard to the scores of cancer-related fatigue. The experimental group of patients who performed pranayama along with radiation therapy experienced less fatigue.Conclusions:Pranayama can be used as a supportive therapy for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

Studying the role of yogic Pranayama in the management of Blood pressure

Yoga is an ancient science, in this Pranayama plays a very important role in astanga yoga. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of 2 Pranayama namely anulom-viloma and Bhramari for mental relaxation and their effects on blood pressure. Aim: This study was conducted to understand the role of short-term practice of Pranayama in blood pressure. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was conducted combined by the Department of Philosophy of Nature cure and also in the Department of Cardiology at Narayana Medical College and Hospital, Nellore. 30 subjects of 20 - 40 years age group, fulfilling the inclusion criteria underwent anuloma-viloma and Bhramari pranayama training for 3 months. Both Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure were performed before and after the Pranayama technique. Results: This study showed increases parasympathetic dominance in basal heart rate and caused fall of both systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure by the reduction in sympathetic impulse on the cardiovascular system by the practice of anuloma-viloma and Bhramari Pranayama technique for 20 minutes duration. Conclusion: The result of the current study proved that practice of anuloma-viloma and Bhramari Pranayama gives good result to maintain normal blood pressure and also to reduce the stress level that we get in our day to day life.

Exploring the Benefits of Unilateral Nostril Breathing Practice Post-Stroke: Attention, Language, Spatial Abilities, Depression, and Anxiety

Unilateral nostril breathing (UNB) is a yogic pranayama technique that has been shown to improve verbal and spatial cognition in neurologically intact individuals. Early study of UNB in healthy individuals has shown benefits for attention and memory. This preliminary study explored whether UNB influenced various measures of attention, language, spatial abilities, depression, and anxiety in post-stroke individuals, both with and without aphasia. A within-subjects repeated-measures design was used to determine whether UNB improved cognitive, linguistic, and affect variables in post-stroke individuals. Within-subjects comparisons determined UNB's effects over time, and between-subjects comparison was used to determine whether changes in these variables differed between post-stroke individuals with and without aphasia. Athens and Atlanta, Georgia. Eleven post-stroke individuals participated in a 10-week UNB program. Five individuals had stroke-induced left hemisphere damage with no diagnosis of aphasia (left hemisphere damage control group; LHD), and six individuals experienced left hemisphere damage with a diagnosis of aphasia (individuals with aphasia group; IWA). Individuals were assessed on measures of attention, language, spatial abilities, depression, and anxiety before, during, and after UNB treatment. UNB significantly decreased levels of anxiety for individuals in both groups. Performance on language measures increased for the individuals with aphasia. Significant findings for language and affect measures indicate that further investigation regarding duration of UNB treatment and use of UNB treatment alongside traditional speech-language therapy in post-stroke individuals is warranted.

Effect of Savitri pranayama on respiratory parameters in healthy individuals

Background: Yoga makes the mind calm & relaxed, strengthens & tunes the body, brings them into harmony with each other. Pranayama have been shown to reduce the resting respiratory rate, further they increase the vital capacity, timed vital capacity, Maximum voluntary ventilation, Breath holding time, Maximum expiratory pressure. Savitri pranayama is one of the unique pranayama techniques which involves slow, rhythmic, and deep breathing. This pranayama has an added advantage that it is effective even if it is done in lying down position .So it can be practiced by non-ambulatory patients too. Aims & Objective: To compare changes in respiratory parameters in the subjects practicing Savitri Pranayama and with that of subjects not practicing any type of Pranayama. Material and Methods: New entrants in yoga class of shivanand ashram, Ahmedabad were selected as subjects for this study & compared with control group- not performing any type of exercise or yoga. The test group were trained by a qualified instructor & then practiced savitri pranayama for 6 days in a week for 12 weeks. Peak Expiratory Flow Rate, Maximum Breathing Capacity, Expiratory pressure,40mm endurance test, Breath holding time were recorded twice in test group - before starting pranayama & after 12 weeks. Readings of control group were taken in both phases too. Results: First phase recording showed no significant differences in any of the tested parameters between Test and Control groups. Second phase recordings showed significant differences in all the tested parameters between Test and Control groups. Conclusion: In the test group there is statistically significant increase in PEFR, MBC, EP, 40mm endurance test & BHT. So it is concluded that a practice of Savitri Pranayama has beneficial respiratory effects. This pranayam can be practiced by bedridden & physically handicap persons. It has psychological effect for relaxing the patients so can be practiced for mental well-being.

Immediate effect of chandra nadi pranayama (left unilateral forced nostril breathing) on cardiovascular parameters in hypertensive patients

Introduction:Recent studies have reported differential physiological and psychological effects produced by exclusive right and left nostril breathing and clinical research is required to prove immediate and sustained efficacy of these techniques in various psychosomatic conditions such as hypertension (HT). The present study was designed to determine immediate effects of 27 rounds of exclusive left nostril breathing, a yogic pranayama technique known as chandra nadi pranayama (CNP) on cardiovascular parameters in patients of essential HT.Materials and Methods:Twenty two patients of essential HT under regular standard medical management were individually taught to perform CNP by a qualified yoga instructor with a regularity of 6 breaths/min throughout a performance of 27 rounds of CNP. Pre and post intervention heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded using non-invasive semi-automatic BP monitor and Students t test for paired data used to determine significant differences.Results:Twenty seven rounds of CNP produced an immediate decrease in all the measured cardiovascular parameters with the decrease in HR, systolic pressure (SP), pulse pressure, rate-pressure product and double product being statistically significant. Further, gender-based sub-analysis of our data revealed that our male participants evidenced significant reductions in HR and SP with an insignificant decrease in diastolic pressure, while in female participants only HR decreased significantly with an insignificant decrease in SP.Discussion and Conclusion:It is concluded that CNP is effective in reducing HR and SP in hypertensive patients on regular standard medical management. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previously published reports on immediate effects of left UFNB in patients of HT and ours is the first to report on this beneficial clinical effect. This may be due to a normalization of autonomic cardiovascular rhythms with increased vagal modulation and/or decreased sympathetic activity along with improvement in baroreflex sensitivity. Further studies are required to enable a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved as well as determine how long such a BP lowering effect persists. We recommend that this simple and cost effective technique be added to the regular management protocol of HT and utilized when immediate reduction of BP is required in day-to-day as well as clinical situations.

Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Changes during Yoga Sessions: The Effects of Respiratory Exercises and Meditation Practices

The novelty of this study was to investigate the changes in cardiorespiratory and metabolic intensity brought about by the practice of pranayamas (breathing exercises of yoga) and meditation during the same hatha-yoga session. The technique applied was the one advocated by the hatha-yoga system. Nine yoga instructors-five females and four males, mean age of 44+/-11, 6, were subjected to analysis of the gases expired during three distinct periods of 30 min: rest, respiratory exercises and meditative practice. A metabolic open circuit computerized system was applied (VO2000, MedGraphics-USA). The oxygen uptake (VO(2)) and the carbon dioxide output (VCO(2)) were statistically different (P <or= 0.05) during meditation and pranayama practices when compared with rest. The heart rate also suffered relevant reductions when results at rest were compared with those during meditation. A smaller proportion of lipids was metabolized during meditation practice compared with rest. The results suggest that the meditation used in this study reduces the metabolic rate whereas the specific pranayama technique in this study increases it when compared with the rest state.