Effect of pranayama on stress and cardiovascular autonomic function.
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Date
2011-10
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Abstract
The stress either physical or mental, leads to cardiovascular
morbidity. Newly admitted medical students are likely to be exposed to
various stresses like change of environment, demanding medical education
and different teaching protocol in a medical college. Pranayama is known
since ancient times to relieve stress and stabilize autonomic function of the
body. Therefore it was decided to study effect of Pranayama on stress and
cardiovascular autonomic function. The subjects were first M.B.B.S students
and the sample size was 59 consisting of 27 males and 32 females. The
group of students thus selected was briefed about the study. After the
orientation session, informed written consent was taken, stress
questionnaire was put and the autonomic function tests were done. This
was followed by practice of Pranayama for 2 months, 1 hour/day for 5 days/
week and again stress questionnaire was put and the autonomic function
tests were performed on the study group. The above tests were done
before and after the practice of Pranayama. The results obtained were
analyzed using SPSS software. The stress level has reduced after 2 months
of practicing various pranayama as evident by decrease in total stress score
which is highly significant. VLF and LF in n.u have reduced significantly
after practice of pranayama signifying reduction in sympathetic drive to
heart. HF in n.u has increased significantly after practice of pranayama for
2 months showing the increase in parasympathetic output to the heart. LF/
HF ratio reduced significantly after 2 months of practice of pranayama
indicating a better sympatho vagal balance with resting balance tilting
toward better parasympathetic control.
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Keywords
heart rate variability, stress, low frequency, high frequency, very low frequency
Citation
Bhimani N T, Kulkarni N B, Kowale A, Salvi S. Effect of pranayama on stress and cardiovascular autonomic function. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2011 Oct-Dec; 55(4): 370-377.