Effect of alternate nostril breathing (Anuloma – Viloma) on cardiovascular autonomic functions: A prospective study
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Date
2024-11
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Publisher
?Eldaghayes Publisher
Abstract
Background: Medical students are experiencing more stress than the general population and much of the research has indicated that various interventions like meditation and mindfulness are of help. It is known that stability of the autonomic system is one of the indicators for stressreduction. Aim: This prospective study was undertaken to know the effectiveness of alternate nostril breathing in bringing about such changes in cardiovascular autonomic functions. Methods: Consenting 60 medical students were recruited and baseline parameters of cardiovascular autonomic func- tions like heart rate, heart rate variability indices, blood pressure, and galvanic skin response were recorded using a computerized 8-channel polygraph. Alternate nostril breathing was practiced by the participants under supervision for a duration of 3 months. At the end of the intervention, the study parameters were reassessed. Inferential statistical analysis was done by performing student’s t test (two-tailed and dependent). Results: The results of this study showed a statistically significant decrease in heart rate (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.005) after the intervention. It was also noted that there was statistically a significant (p < 0.001) increase in cardiovascular autonomic parameters. Conclusion: Regular practice of alternate nostril breathing causes stretch receptors of lung and baroreceptors in aortic and carotid sinuses to synchronise with central autonomic regulatory network involving hypothalamus, prefrontal and limbic cortex. Hence alternate nostril breathing is a simple, practicable, and effective meditation technique which alters cardiovascular autonomic functions towards parasympathetic control thus might reduce the stress and cardio- vascular morbidity among medical students.
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Keywords
alternate nostril breathing, cardiovascular autonomic functions, Pranayama, heart rate variability
Citation
Nagendrappa S, Kumaraswamy SG, Ramalingaiah VH.. Effect of alternate nostril breathing (Anuloma – Viloma) on cardiovascular autonomic functions: A prospective study . National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2024 Nov; 14(11): 2391-2397