Yoga
ADHDAnxiety Arthritis Asthma Attitudes Balance Blood Pressure Body Image Cancer Cardiovascular Children Cognition Cortisol Depression Diabetes EEG EMG Epilepsy Exercise Headache Heart Rate Hormones Hypertension Mental Retardation Mood Pain Physiology Pulmonary Function Steadiness
Jensen PS, Kenny DT. The effects of yoga on the attention
and behavior of boys with
Sahasi, G., Mohan, D., and
Kacker, C. (1989). Effectiveness of yogic techniques in the management
of anxiety. Journal of Personality and Clinical Studies 5,
51-55.
METHOD: Evaluated the efficacy of selected yoga practices
(Group 1, N = 38) as compared with drug (diazepam) therapy (Group
2, N = 53) in anxiety-neurotic outpatients (aged 18-47 yrs). Subjects
were administered a battery of tests pre- and post-treatment.
RESULTS: Data indicated a significant rate of improvement
in Group 1 Ss who completed the prescribed length (5 days/wk for
3 months) of yoga practices as compared with Group 2 Ss. At least
7% of Group 1 Ss were reported to be completely asymptomatic as
compared with none of the Group 2 Ss.
Platania-Solazzo, A., Field,
T. M., Blank, J., Seligman, F., Kuhn, C., Schanberg, S., and Saab,
P. (1992). Relaxation therapy reduces anxiety in child and adolescent
psychiatric patients. Acta Paedopsychiatrica 55, 115-120.
METHOD: The immediate effects of relaxation therapy (RT)
were assessed in 40 hospitalized children and adolescents with
diagnoses of adjustment disorder and depression. These effects
were assessed using a within subjects pre-test/post-test design
and by comparison with a control group of 20 depressed and adjustment
disorder patients who watched a 1-h relaxing videotape. The 1-h
RT class consisted of yoga exercise, a brief massage and progressive
muscle relaxation. RESULTS: Decreases were noted in both
self-reported anxiety and in anxious behavior and fidgeting as
well as increases in positive affect in the RT, but not the video
group. In addition, adjustment disorder patients and a third of
the depressed patients showed decreases in cortisol levels following
RT, while no changes were noted in the video group. Thus, both
diagnostic groups appeared to benefit from the RT class.
Miller, J. J., Fletcher,
K., and Kabat-Zinn, J. (1995). Three-year follow-up and clinical
implications of a mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction
intervention in the treatment of anxiety disorders. General
Hospital Psychiatry 17, 192-200.
METHOD: A previous study of 22 medical patients with DSM-III-R-defined
anxiety disorders showed clinically and statistically significant
improvements in subjective and objective symptoms of anxiety and
panic following an 8-week outpatient physician-referred group
stress reduction intervention based on mindfulness meditation.
Twenty subjects demonstrated significant reductions in Hamilton
and Beck Anxiety and Depression scores post intervention and at
3-month follow-up. In this study, 3-year follow-up data were obtained
and analyzed on 18 of the original 22 subjects to probe long-term
effects. RESULTS: Analysis showed maintenance of the gains
obtained in the original study on the Hamilton and Beck anxiety
scales as well as on their respective depression scales, on the
Hamilton panic score, the number and severity of panic attacks,
and on the Mobility Index-Accompanied and the Fear Survey. A 3-year
follow-up comparison of this cohort with a larger group of subjects
from the intervention who had met criteria for screening for the
original study suggests generalizability of the results obtained
with the smaller, more intensively studied cohort. Ongoing compliance
with the meditation practice was also demonstrated in the majority
of subjects at 3 years. We conclude that an intensive but time-limited
group stress reduction intervention based on mindfulness meditation
can have long-term beneficial effects in the treatment of people
diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
Garfinkel, M. S., Schumacher,
H. R. Jr, Husain, A., Levy, M., and Reshetar, R. A. (1994). Evaluation
of a yoga based regimen for treatment of osteoarthritis of the
hands. Journal of Rheumatology 21, 2341-2343.
METHOD: Yoga and relaxation techniques have traditionally
been used by non medical practitioners to help alleviate musculoskeletal
symptoms. The objective of this study was to collect controlled
observations of the effect of yoga on the hands of patients with
osteoarthritis (OA). Patients with OA of the hands were randomly
assigned to receive either the yoga program or no therapy. Yoga
techniques were supervised by one instructor once/week for 8 weeks.
Variables assessed were pain, strength, motion, joint circumference,
tenderness, and hand function using the Stanford Hand Assessment
questionnaire. RESULTS: The yoga treated group improved
significantly more than the control group in pain during activity,
tenderness and finger range of motion.
Sathyaprabha TN. Murthy
H. Murthy BT. (2001). Efficacy of naturopathy and yoga in bronchial
asthma--a self controlled matched scientific study. Indian
Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology 4, 80-6.
METHOD: Asthma is a common psychosomatic illness influenced by many factors. Bronchodilators give temporary relief and have side effects. The present study was aimed at finding the efficacy of a non-pharmacological approach of naturopathy and Yoga in bronchial asthma. 37 patients (19 men, 18 women) with mean age 35 received treatment including 1. Diet therapy 2. Nature cure treatment and 3. Yoga therapy. The various parameters including lung function test were measured on admission and once a week. RESULTS: The results showed significant improvement in PEFR, VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV/FEC %, MVV, ESR and absolute eosinophil count. The patients reported a feeling of well being, freshness and comfortable breathing. Naturopathy and yoga helps in inducing positive health, alleviating the symptoms of disease by acting at physical and mental levels.
Ritz T. (2001). Relaxation therapy in adult asthma. Is there new evidence for its effectiveness?. [Review] [80 refs]. Behavior Modification. 25, 640-66.
METHOD: Studies of relaxation training for adult asthma
patients were reviewed for the period between 1980 and 2000. Six
controlled and three uncontrolled studies were identified, employing
a variety of methods, such as progressive relaxation, functional
relaxation, autogenic training, or yoga. Most studies had low
sample sizes and suffered from one or more methodological deficiencies,
such as suboptimal data analysis, high dropout rates, problematic
measurement procedures, or insufficient descriptions of methodology
and results. Overall effects on parameters of lung function, symptoms,
medication consumption, and health care use were generally negligible.
Problems with the underlying rationale of relaxation therapy in
asthma are discussed from a psychophysiological viewpoint. Examples
are given of potential beneficial and detrimental effects of these
techniques on lung function with respect to emotional processes,
the musculoskeletal system, and ventilation as targets of a relaxation
intervention.
Wilson, A. F., Honsberger,
R., Chiu, J. T., and Novey, H. S. (1975). Transcendental meditation
and asthma. Respiration 32, 74-80.
METHOD: A 6-month study with crossover at 3 months was
designed to evaluate the possible beneficial effects of transcendental
meditation upon bronchial asthma. 21 patients kept daily diaries
of symptoms and medications and answered questionnaires at the
end of the study and 6 months later. Other measurements included
physician evaluation, pulmonary function testing, and galvanic
skin resistance. RESULTS: The results indicated that transcendental
meditation is a useful adjunct in treating asthma.
Tandon, M. K. (1978). Adjunct
treatment with yoga in chronic severe airways obstruction. Thorax
33, 514-517.
METHOD: Eleven patients with severe chronic airways obstruction
were given training in yogic breathing exercises and postures.
A matched group of 11 patients were given physiotherapy breathing
exercises. Both groups of patients were followed at monthly intervals
for nine months with pulmonary function tests, tests of exercise
tolerance, and inquiry into their symptoms. RESULTS: After
training in yoga the mean maximum work increased significantly;
whereas no such rise occurred after training in physiotherapy.
This objective improvement was associated with symptomatic improvement
in a significantly higher number of patients given training in
yoga.
Nagarathna, R. and Nagendra,
H. R. (1985). Yoga for bronchial asthma: a controlled study. British
Medical Journal Clinical Research Ed . 291, 1077-1079.
METHOD: Fifty three patients with asthma underwent training
for two weeks in an integrated set of yoga exercises including
breathing exercises, physical postures, breath slowing techniques,
meditation, and a devotional session, and were told to practice
these exercises for 65 minutes daily. They were then compared
with a control group of 53 patients with asthma matched for age,
sex, and type and severity of asthma, who continued to take their
usual drugs. There was a significantly greater improvement in
the group who practiced yoga in the weekly number of attacks of
asthma, scores for drug treatment, and peak flow rate. This study
shows the efficacy of yoga in the long term management of bronchial
asthma, but the physiological basis for this beneficial effect
needs to be examined in more detail.
Nagendra, H. R. and Nagarathna,
R. (1986). An integrated approach of yoga therapy for bronchial
asthma: a 3-54-month prospective study. Journal of Asthma 23,
123-137.
METHOD: After an initial integrated yoga training program
of 2 to 4 weeks, 570 bronchial asthmatics were followed up for
3 to 54 months. The training consisted of yoga practices and theory
of yoga. RESULTS: Results showed significant improvement
in most of the specific parameters. The regular practitioners
showed the greatest improvement. Peak expiratory flow rate (PFR)
values showed significant movement of patients toward normalcy
after yoga, and 72, 69, and 66% of the patients have stopped or
reduced parenteral, oral, and cortisone medication, respectively.
Jain, S. C., Rai, L., Valecha,
A., Jha, U. K., Bhatnagar, S. O., and Ram, K. (1991). Effect of
yoga training on exercise tolerance in adolescents with childhood
asthma. Journal of Asthma 28, 437-442.
METHOD: Forty six young asthmatics with a history of childhood
asthma were admitted for yoga training. Effects of training on
resting pulmonary functions, exercise capacity, and exercise-induced
bronchial lability index were measured. RESULTS: Yoga training
resulted in a significant increase in pulmonary function and exercise
capacity. A follow-up study spanning two years showed a good response
with reduced symptom score and drug requirements in these subjects.
Jain, S. C. and Talukdar,
B. (1993). Evaluation of yoga therapy programme for patients of
bronchial asthma. Singapore Medical Journal 34, 306-308.
METHOD: The effects of a yoga therapy program were studied
on 46 patients of chronic bronchial asthma including exercise
capacity, pulmonary functions and blood gases. Exercise capacity
was measured by 3 tests: (i) 12 min walk test: (ii) physical fitness
index by modified Harvard step test; and (iii) Exercise-Liability
index. RESULTS: Yoga therapy resulted in an increase in
pulmonary functions and exercise tolerance. A one-year follow-up
study showed a good to fair response with reduced symptoms scores
and drug requirements in these subjects.
Khanam, A. A., Sachdeva,
U., Guleria, R., and Deepak, K. K. (1996). Study of pulmonary
and autonomic functions of asthma patients after yoga training.
Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology 40, 318-324.
METHOD: Nine diagnosed bronchial asthma patients were given
yoga training for seven days. The autonomic function tests to
measure parasympathetic reactivity (Deep Breathing test, Valsalva
Manouever), sympathetic reactivity (Hand Grip test, Cold Pressure
test), and pulmonary function tests FVC, FEV1, PEFR, PIF, BHT
and CE were recorded before and after yoga training. The resting
heart rate after yoga training was significantly decreased. The
sympathetic reactivity was reduced following yoga training. There
was no change in parasympathetic reactivity. The FVC, FEV1, PEFR
did not show any significant change. The PIF (P < 0.01), BHT
(P < 0.01) and CE (P < 0.01) showed significant improvement.
The results indicated the reduction in sympathetic reactivity
and improvement in pulmonary ventilation by way of relaxation
of voluntary inspiratory and expiratory muscles.
Manocha, R., Marks, G.B., Kenchington, P., Peters, D., & Salome, C.M. (2002). Sahaja yoga in the management of moderate to severe asthma: a randomised controlled trial. Thorax, 57, 110-115.
METHOD: Yoga and control groups attended a 2 hour session once a week for 4 months. Asthma related quality of life (AQLQ), Profile of Mood States (POMS), level of airway hyperesponsiveness to methacholine (AHR), and a diary card based combined asthma score (CAS) reflecting symptoms, bronchodilator usage, and peak expiratory flow rates were measured at the end of the treatment period and again 2 months later. RESULTS: The improvement in AHR at the end of treatment was 1.5 doubling doses in the yoga group than in the control group. The AQLQ mood subscale improved more in the yoga group as did the summary POMS score.
Malathi A. Damodaran A.
Shah N. Patil N. Maratha S. (2000). Effect of yogic practices
on subjective well being.
Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology. 44(2):202-6.
METHOD: Forty eight healthy volunteers who
participated in the practice of yoga over a period of 4 months
were assessed on Subjective Well Being Inventory (SUBI) before
and after the course in order to evaluate the effect of practice
of yoga on subjective feelings of well-being and quality of life.
A significant improvement in 9 of the 11 factors of SUBI was observed
at the end of 4 months, in these participants. The paper thus,
reiterates the beneficial effects of regular practice of yoga
on subjective well being.
Grover, P., Varma, V. K.,
Pershad, D., and Verma, S. K. Construction of a scale for the
measurement of attitudes to yoga (a preliminary report). Indian
Journal of Clinical Psychology 10(2), 173-378. 9-1983.
METHOD: Describes the development and evaluation of a 14-item
Likert-type scale assessing attitudes toward yoga. The scale was
standardized on 71 Ss-26 who regularly practiced yoga and 45 who
did not (mean ages 32.85 and 30.67 yrs, respectively). Test-retest,
validity, and discriminability data for the scale are presented.
Dhume, R. R. and Dhume,
R. A. (1991). A comparative study of the driving effects of dextroamphetamine
and yogic meditation on muscle control for the performance of
balance on balance board. Indian Journal of Physiology &
Pharmacology 35, 191-194.
METHOD: This study compared the relative strength of dextroamphetamine
and yogic meditation on the performance of 3 different groups
of medical students using balance on a balance board as the measure.
Group A subjects received yoga, group B subjects were given orally
5 and 10 mg of dextroamphetamine in a capsule, 1 hr prior to the
test. Group C subjects were given same capsule but with lactose
in place of the drug (placebo). RESULTS: The balance index
taking into account balance time and error scores at each trial
of 5 min duration showed that the performance of the group B (drug)
declined with overall percentile fall of 40.6% as compared to
the performance of the controls (placebo) whereas, the performance
of Group A (meditators) progressively increased throughout the
period of 10 trial days with an overall percentile increase of
27.8%.
Blackwell, B., Bloomfield,
S., Gartside, P., Robinson, A., Hanenson, I., Magenheim, Nidich,
S., and Zigler, R. (1976). Transcendental meditation in hypertension.
Individual response patterns. Lancet 1, 223-226.
METHOD: Seven selected hypertensive patients were stabilized
on drugs at a research clinic. Subjects learned transcendental
meditation (T.M.), were seen weekly, and took their own blood
pressure several times daily. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of
T.M. six subjects showed psychological changes and reduced anxiety
scores. Six subjects also showed significant reductions in home
and four in clinic blood-pressures. Six months later four subjects
continued to derive psychological benefit and two showed significant
blood-pressure reductions attributable to T.M. at home and clinic.
Clance, P. R., Mitchell, M., and Engelman,
S. R. (1980). Body cathexis in children as a function of awareness training
and yoga. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology 9, 82-85.
METHOD: The present study was designed to test a means of increasing
body satisfaction in children. 12 3rd graders, 10 girls and 2 boys, who demonstrated
low body satisfaction and poor physical coordination, were randomly assigned
to either an experimental group that received awareness training and yoga exercises
or to a control group. A before-after 2-group design was used. Measures of body
satisfaction were obtained from an adapted children's version of the Body Cathexis
Scale and the Human Figures Drawing Test. RESULTS: The results indicated
that experimental Ss increased in body satisfaction; no change was found in
controls.
Cancer
Cardiovascular
Manchanda SC. Narang R.
Reddy KS. Sachdeva U. Prabhakaran D. Dharmanand S. Rajani M. Bijlani
R. (2000). Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle
intervention. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India.
48, 687-94.
METHOD: Yoga effects were evaluated on
retardation of coronary atherosclerotic disease. In this prospective,
randomized, controlled trial, 42 men with angiographically proven
coronary artery disease (CAD) were randomized to control (n =
21) and yoga intervention group (n = 21) and were followed for
one year. The active group was treated with a user-friendly program
consisting of yoga, control of risk factors, diet control and
moderate aerobic exercise. The control group was managed by conventional
methods i.e. risk factor control and American Heart Association
step I diet. RESULTS: At one year, the yoga groups showed
significant reduction in number of anginal episodes per week,
improved exercise capacity and decrease in body weight. Serum
total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels also
showed greater reductions as compared with the control group.
Revascularisation procedures (coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery)
were less frequently required in the yoga group. Coronary angiography
repeated at one year showed that significantly more lesions regressed
(20% versus 2%) and less lesions progressed (5% versus 37%) in
the yoga group. Compliance with the program was excellent and
no side effects were observed.
Vempati,-R-P; Telles,-Shirley (1999). Yoga based isometric relaxation versus supine rest: A study of oxygen consumption, breath rate and volume and autonomic measures. Journal-of-Indian-Psychology 17, 46-52.
METHOD: Studied physiological variables in 40 men (aged
16-46 yrs) before and after yoga-based isometric relaxation technique
and supine rest. Assessments of autonomic parameters included
oxygen consumption, breath rate, and breath volume. There was
a significant decrease in breath rate after yoga and in finger
plethysmogram after supine rest.
Telles S. Reddy SK. Nagendra
HR. (2000). Oxygen consumption and respiration following two yoga
relaxation techniques. Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback
25, 221-7.
METHOD: Two yoga practices, one combining
"calming and stimulating" measures and the other, a
"calming" technique, were compared. The oxygen consumption,
breath rate, and breath volume of 40 male volunteers were assessed
before and after sessions of cyclic meditation (CM) and before
and after the sessions. RESULTS: There was a significant
decrease in the amount of oxygen consumed and in breath rate and
an increase in breath volume after both types of sessions. However,
the magnitude of change on all 3 measures was greater after the
calming and stimulating session: (1) Oxygen consumption decreased
32% compared with 10%; (2) breath rate decreased 18% versus 15%;
and (3) breath volume increased 29% versus 16%. These results
support the idea that a combination of yoga postures interspersed
with relaxation reduces arousal more than relaxation alone does.
Bernardi L. Passino C. Wilmerding V. Dallam GM. Parker DL. Robergs RA. Appenzeller O. (2001). Breathing patterns and cardiovascular autonomic modulation during hypoxia induced by simulated altitude. Journal of Hypertension. 19, 947-58.
METHOD: To assess the influence of different breathing
patterns on autonomic cardiovascular modulation during acute exposure
to altitude-induced hypoxia. Relative changes in minute ventilation
(VE), oxygen saturation (%SaO2), spectral analysis of RR interval
and blood pressure, and response to stimulation of carotid baroreceptors
(neck suction) at baseline and after acute (1 h) hypobaric hypoxia
(equivalent to 5,000 m, in a hypobaric chamber) were measured
in 19 subjects (nine controls and 10 Western yoga trainees of
similar age). These were measured while breathing spontaneously,
at 15 breaths/min (controlled breathing) and during 'complete
yogic breathing' (slow diaphragmatic + thoracic breathing, approximately
5 breaths/min) in yoga trainees, or simple slow breathing in controls.
RESULTS: At baseline %SaO2, VE and autonomic pattern were similar
in both groups; simulated altitude increased VE in controls but
not in yoga trainees; %SaO2 decreased in all subjects, but more
in controls than in yoga trainees (17 versus 12%, 14 versus 9%,
14 versus 8% during spontaneous breathing, controlled breathing
and yogic or slow breathing, respectively). Simulated altitude
decreased RR interval and increased indices deducted from spectral
analysis of heart rate variability and systolic blood pressure
in controls, indicating sympathetic activation; these changes
were blunted in yoga trainees, and in both groups during slow
or yogic breathing. No effect of altitude was seen on stimulation
of carotid baroreceptors in both groups. Thus, slow yogic breathing
maintains better blood oxygenation without increasing VE (i.e.
seems to be a more efficient breathing) and reduces sympathetic
activation during altitude-induced hypoxia.
Chohan, I. S., Nayar, H.
S., Thomas, P., and Geetha, N. S. (1984). Influence of yoga on
blood coagulation. Thrombosis & Haemostasis 51, 196-197.
METHOD: A study was conducted in seven previously untrained
male adults who underwent a combination of yogic exercises, daily
for one hour, over a period of four months. Parameters of blood
coagulation were estimated before and after the end of yoga training.
RESULTS: The following changes were observed: Fibrinolytic
activity increased significantly with a concomitant fall in fibrinogen;
activated partial thromboplastin time and platelet aggregation
time were prolonged; blood and plasma platelets showed a rise;
and both hemoglobin and hematocrit were raised at the end of the
training. These findings suggest that yoga induces a state of
blood hypocoagulability suggesting positive effects of yoga on
prevention of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders.
Bowman, A. J., Clayton, R. H., Murray, A.,
Reed, J. W., Subhan, M. M., and Ford, G. A. (1997). Effects of aerobic exercise
training and yoga on the baroreflex in healthy elderly persons. European
Journal of Clinical Investigation 27, 443-449.
METHOD: The effects of aerobic exercise training and yoga, a non-aerobic
control intervention, on the baroreflex of elderly persons were determined.
Baroreflex sensitivity was quantified by the alpha-index, at high frequency
(reflecting parasympathetic activity) and mid-frequency (reflecting sympathetic
activity as well), derived from spectral and cross-spectral analysis of spontaneous
fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure. Twenty-six (10 women) sedentary,
healthy, normotensive elderly (mean 68 years) subjects were studied. Fourteen
(4 women) of the sedentary elderly subjects completed 6 weeks of aerobic training,
while the other 12 (6 women) subjects completed 6 weeks of yoga. RESULTS:
Heart rate decreased following yoga but not aerobic training. VO2 max increased
by 11% following yoga and by 24% following aerobic training. No significant
change in alpha MF or alpha HF occurred after aerobic training. Following yoga,
alpha HF but not alpha MF increased.
Damodaran, A., et al. Therapeutic potential of yoga practices
in modifying cardiovascular risk profile in middle aged men and women. J Assoc Physicians
Garfinkel, M.S., Singhal, A., Katz, W.A., Allan, D.A., Reshetar, R. & Schumacher, H.R.J. (1998). Yoga-based intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized trial. Jama, 280, 1601-1603.
METHOD: This study determined the effectiveness of a yoga-based regimen for relieving symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Forty-two employed or retired individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (median age, 52 years) were assigned to the yoga group receiving a yoga-based intervention consisting of 11 yoga postures designed for strengthening, stretching, and balancing each joint in the upper body along with relaxation given twice weekly for 8 weeks. Patients in the control group were offered a wrist splint to supplement their current treatment. Yoga was more effective than wrist splinting or no treatment in relieving symptoms and signs of carpal tunnel syndrome including grip strength, pain intensity, sleep disturbance, Phalen sign, and Tinel sign, and in median nerve motor and sensory conduction time.
Manjunath,-N-K; Telles,-Shirley (1999). Improvement in visual perceptual sensitivity in children following yoga training. Journal-of-Indian-Psychology 17, 41-45.
METHOD: 14 children (aged 12-17 yrs) who
received 10 days of yoga training and 14 age- and sex-matched
controls who did not receive yoga training were assessed on Day
1 and Day 10 for visual perceptual sensitivity through Critical
Flicker Fusion Frequency (CFF) and degree of illusion. The yoga
group practiced postures and meditation, along with specially
designed games to improve memory and attention. The control group
experienced their routine activity. RESULTS: Following
10 days of yoga training, the yoga group showed a significant
increase in CFF and a decrease in degree of illusion; the control
group showed no change.
Telles S. Ramaprabhu V.
Reddy SK. (2000). Effect of yoga training on maze learning. Indian
Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology 44,197-201.
METHOD: Performance on a maze learning task
was assessed in 31 adults before and after 30 days of yoga training
and in an age and gender matched control group of subjects who
did not receive yoga training. Subjects were blind folded and
used the dominant hand to trace a path in a wooden pencil maze.
At each assessment, subjects were given 5 trials, without a gap
between them. Performance was based on the time taken to complete
the maze and the number of blind alleys taken. RESULTS: The
time and error scores of Trial 1 were significantly less after
yoga. Repeating trials significantly decreased time scores at
Trial 5 versus Trial 1 for both groups on Day 1 and for the control
group on Day 30. Hence the yoga group showed improved performance
in maze tracing at retest 30 days later but did not influence
maze learning, based on the performance in 5 repeat trials.
Kamei T. Toriumi Y. Kimura
H. Ohno S. Kumano H. Kimura K. (2000). Decrease in serum cortisol
during yoga exercise is correlated with alpha wave activation.
Perceptual & Motor Skills 90, 1027-32.
METHOD: Changes in brain waves and blood
levels of serum cortisol were examined during yoga in 7 yoga instructors.
RESULTS: Alpha waves increased and serum cortisol decreased.
These two measures were negatively correlated.
Jevning, R., Wilson, A.
F., and Davidson, J. M. (1978). Adrenocortical activity during
meditation. Hormones & Behavior 10, 54-60.
METHOD: Acute plasma cortisol and testosterone concentration
changes were measured during transcendental meditation (TM) and
during rest. Three groups of normal, young adult volunteers were
studied: a group of controls, these same controls restudied as
practitioners after 3 to 4 months of TM practice, and a group
of long-term, regular TM practitioners (3 to 5 years of practice).
RESULTS: No change was found in controls during rest. Cortisol
declined, but not significantly, in restudied controls, while
cortisol decreased significantly in long-term practitioners during
meditation and remained somewhat low afterward. No change in testosterone
concentration was noted during either rest or TM. Apparently,
the TM becomes associated with psychophysiologic responses that
acutely inhibit pituitary-adrenal activity.
Harte, J. L., Eifert, G.
H., and Smith, R. (1995). The effects of running and mediation
on beta-endorphin, corticotropin-releasing hormone and cortisol
in plasma, and on mood. Biological Psychology 40, 251-265.
METHOD: The relations between three hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical
(HPA) axis, beta-endorphin (beta-EP), corticotropin-releasing
hormone (CRH) and cortisol, and mood change were examined in 11
elite runners and 12 highly trained meditators matched in age,
sex, and personality. Despite metabolic differences between running
and meditation, we predicted that mood change after these activities
would be similar when associated with similar hormonal change.
RESULTS: Compared to pre-test and control values, mood
was elevated after both activities but not significantly different
between the two groups at post-test. Significant elevations of
beta-EP and CRH occurred after running and of CRH after meditation,
but no significant differences in CRH increases occurred between
groups. CRH was correlated with positive mood changes after running
and meditation. Cortisol levels were generally high but erratic
in both groups. Thus, positive affect was associated with plasma
CRH immunoreactivity which itself was significantly associated
with circulating beta-EP supporting a role for CRH in the release
of beta-EP. Increased CRH immunoreactivity following meditation
indicates, however, that physical exercise is not an essential
requirement for CRH release.
Khumar, S. S. Kaur P. &
Kaur S. (1993). Effectiveness of Shavasana on depression among
university students. Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology
20, 82-87.
METHOD: The effectiveness of yoga was examined as a therapeutic
technique to alleviate depression. 50 female university students
were diagnosed with severe depression; 25 experienced 30 Yoga
sessions and 25 served as controls. RESULTS: The results
revealed that (1) Yoga was an effective technique for alleviating
depression and (2) continuation of the treatment for a longer
period resulted in a significantly increased positive change in
the Ss.
Jain, S. C., Uppal, A., Bhatnagar, S. O.,
& Talukdar, B. (1993). A study of response pattern of non-insulin dependent
diabetics to yoga therapy. Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice 19,
69-74.
METHOD: Changes in blood glucose and glucose tolerance by oral glucose
tolerance test (OGTT) were investigated after 40 days of yoga in 149 non-insulin-dependent
diabetics. The response to yoga in these subjects was categorized according
to a severity scale index (SSI) based on area index total (AIT) under OGTT curve.
RESULTS: One hundred and four patients showed a fair to good response
to the yoga therapy. There was a significant reduction in hyperglycemia and
AIT with a decrease in oral hypoglycemia and AIT, and a decrease in oral hypoglycemic
drugs required for maintenance of normoglycemia.
Malhotra, V., et al. Effect of Yoga asanas on nerve conduction in type 2 diabetes. Indian J Physiol
Pharmacol. 2002 Jul;46(3):298-306.
Aftanas L. I. & Golocheikine
S. A. (2001). Human anterior and frontal midline theta and lower
alpha reflect emotionally positive state and internalized attention:
high-resolution EEG investigation of meditation. Neuroscience
Letters 310, 57-60.
METHOD: EEG spectral power and coherence
estimates in the individually defined delta, theta, alpha-1, alpha-2,
and alpha-3 bands were used to identify and characterize brain
regions involved in meditative states, in which focused internalized
attention gives rise to emotionally positive "blissful"
experience. RESULTS: Blissful state was accompanied by
increased anterior frontal and midline theta synchronization as
well as enhanced theta long-distant connectivity between prefrontal
and posterior association cortex with distinct "center of
gravity" in the left prefrontal region. Subjective scores
of emotional experience significantly correlated with theta, whereas
scores of internalized attention with both theta and alpha lowered
synchronization.
Corby, J. C., Roth, W. T.,
Zarcone, V. P. Jr, & Kopell, B. S. (1978). Psychophysiological
correlates of the practice of Tantric Yoga meditation. Archives
of General Psychiatry 35, 571-577.
METHOD: Autonomic and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates
of Yoga meditation were studied in three groups of subjects as
they progressed from normal consciousness into meditation. The
groups differed in their level of meditation proficiency. Measures
were taken of skin resistance, heart rate, respiration, autonomic
orienting responses, resting EEG, EEG alpha and theta frequencies,
sleep-scored EEG, averaged evoked responses, and subjective experience.
RESULTS: Proficient meditators demonstrated increased autonomic
activation during meditation while unexperienced meditators demonstrated
autonomic relaxation. During meditation, proficient meditators
demonstrated increased alpha and theta power, minimal evidence
of EEG-defined sleep, and decreased autonomic orienting to external
stimulation. An episode of sudden autonomic activation was observed
that was characterized by the meditator as an approach to the
Yogic ecstatic state of intense concentration.
Narayan, R., Kamat, A.,
Khanolkar, M., Kamat, S., Desai, S. R., & Dhume, R. A. (1990).
Quantitative evaluation of muscle relaxation induced by Kundalini
yoga with the help of EMG integrator. Indian Journal of Physiology
& Pharmacology 34, 279-281.
METHOD: The present work quantified the degree of muscle
relaxation following Yoga. RESULTS: The EMG data collected
from 8 individuals (4 males 4 females) on the degree of muscle
relaxation at the end of Yoga revealed a significant decrease
in muscle activity amounting to 58% of the basal level in both
the sexes.
Panjwani U. Selvamurthy
W. Singh SH. Gupta HL. Mukhopadhyay S. & Thakur L. (2000).
Effect of Sahaja yoga meditation on auditory evoked potentials
(AEP) and visual contrast sensitivity (VCS) in epileptics. Applied
Psychophysiology & Biofeedback 25, 1-12.
METHOD: The effects of yoga meditation were studied in 32 patients with primary idiopathic epilepsy on regular and maintained antiepileptic medication. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I practiced Yoga meditation twice daily for 6 months under proper guidance; group 2 practiced postural exercises mimicking the meditation for the same duration; and group 3 was the control group. Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS), Auditory Evoked Potentials (AEP), Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP), and Mid Latency Responses (MLR) were recorded initially (0 month) and at 3 and 6 months for each group. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in VCS following meditation practice in group I participants. Na, the first prominent negative peak of MLR and Pa, the positive peak following Na did not register changes in latency. The Na-Pa amplitude of MLR also showed a significant increase. There were no significant changes in the absolute and interpeak latencies of BAEP. The reduced level of stress following meditation practice may make patients more responsive to specific stimuli. Sahaja Yoga meditation appears to bring about changes in some of the electrophysiological responses studied in epileptic patients.
Ramaratnam S. (2001). Yoga for epilepsy: methodological issues. Seizure 10, 3-6.
METHOD:This paper reviews methodological issues that might
be encountered in designing and conducting a randomized controlled
study on the effects of yoga in the treatment of epilepsy. Methodological
issues relating to patient selection, randomization, blinding,
type of intervention, outcome measures and analysis are highlighted.
Yardi, N. (2001). Yoga for
control of epilepsy. Seizure 10, 7-12. (Review).
Yoga is an age-old traditional Indian psycho-philosophical-cultural method that alleviates stress, induces relaxation and provides multiple health benefits to the person. Commonly practiced yoga methods are 'Pranayama' (controlled deep breathing), 'Asanas' (physical postures) and 'Dhyana' (meditation) that are mixed in varying proportions depending on the type of Yoga. This paper reviews studies related to yoga and epilepsy, seizures, EEG, autonomic changes, neuropsychology, limbic system, arousal, sleep, brain plasticity, motor performance, brain imaging studies, and rehabilitation. There is a dearth of randomized, blinded, controlled studies related to yoga and seizure control. A multi-centre, cross-cultural, preferably blinded (difficult for yoga), well-randomized controlled trial, especially using a single yogic technique in a homogeneous population such as Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is justified to find out how yoga affects seizure control and QOL of the person with epilepsy.
Ramaratnam, S. & Sridharan,
K. (2000). Yoga for epilepsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic
Reviews [computer file]. (3):CD001524
METHOD: Stress is considered an important precipitating factor for seizures. Yoga is believed to induce relaxation and stress reduction. The effect of yoga on EEG and the autonomic nervous system have been reported. To assess the efficacy of yoga in the treatment of patients with epilepsy, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 1998), MEDLINE for articles published up to the middle of 1998, and also registries of the research council for complimentary medicine were searched. In addition, the references of all the identified studies were searched. Finally, members of the Neurological Society of India, several neurophysiology institutions and yoga institutes were contacted to seek any ongoing studies or studies published in nonindexed journals or unpublished studies. Randomized control trials and controlled clinical trials of treatment of epilepsy with yoga. RESULTS: Only one study met the selection criteria, and recruited a total of 32 patients, 10 to yoga and 22 to control treatments. Antiepileptic drugs were continued in all. Randomization was by roll of a dice. The results of this study are as follows: (1) Four patients treated with yoga were seizure free for six months compared to none in the control groups. The Odds Ratio (OR) (95% Confidence Interval (CI)) for yoga versus sham yoga group was 14.5 (0.7, 316.7) and for yoga versus no treatment group 17.3 (0.8, 373.5). (2) Nine patients in the yoga group had more than a 50% reduction in seizure frequency compared to only one among the controls. (3) There was a decline in the average number of attacks per month compared to the baseline frequency among the patients treated with yoga. (4) More than a 50% reduction in seizure duration was found in seven of the 10 patients treated with yoga, compared to none among the 22 controls.
Panjwani, U., Gupta, H.
L., Singh, S. H., Selvamurthy, W., & Rai, U. C. (1995). Effect
of Sahaja yoga practice on stress management in patients of epilepsy.
Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology 39, 111-116.
METHOD: The effect of Sahaja yoga on stress management
was evaluated in patients with epilepsy. 32 patients with epilepsy
were randomly divided into 3 groups: group I subjects practiced
Sahaja yoga meditation for 6 months, group II subjects practiced
postural exercises mimicking Sahaja yoga and group 3 served as
the epileptic control group. Galvanic skin resistance (GSR), blood
lactate and urinary vinyl mandelic acid (U-VMA) were recorded
at 0, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: There were significant changes
at 3 & 6 months as compared to 0 month values in GSR, blood
lactate and U-VMA levels in group 1 subjects, but not in group
2 and group 3 subjects.
Panjwani, U., Selvamurthy,
W., Singh, S. H., Gupta, H. L., Thakur, L., & Rai, U. C. (1996).
Effect of Sahaja yoga practice on seizure control & EEG changes
in patients of epilepsy. Indian Journal of Medical Research
103, 165-172.
METHOD: Yoga effects on seizure control and electroencephalographic
alterations were assessed in 32 patients with idiopathic epilepsy.
The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group1 (n =
10) practiced Sahaja yoga for 6 months, Group 2 (n = 10) practiced
exercises mimicking yoga for 6 months and Group 3 (n = 12) served
as the epileptic control group. RESULTS: Group 1 subjects
reported a 62 per cent decrease in seizure frequency at 3 months
and a further decrease of 86 per cent at 6 months of intervention.
Power spectral analysis of EEG showed a shift in frequency from
0-8 Hz towards 8-20 Hz. The ratios of EEG powers in delta (D),
theta (T), alpha (A) and beta (B) bands i.e., A/D, A/D + T, A/T
and A + B/D + T were increased. Per cent D power decreased and
per cent A increased. No significant changes in any of the parameters
were found in Groups 2 and 3, indicating that yoga practice brings
about seizure reduction and EEG changes.
Bera, T. K. & Rajapurkar, M. V. (1993). Body composition, cardiovascular endurance and anaerobic power of yogic practitioner. Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology 37(3), 225-228.
METHOD: Forty male high school students, age 12-15 yrs, participated in a study on yoga in relation to body composition, cardiovascular endurance and anaerobic power. The Ss were assigned to a yoga group and control group. Body composition, cardiovascular endurance anaerobic power were measured. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant improvement in ideal body weight, body density, cardiovascular endurance and anaerobic power following yoga.
Raju, P. S., Madhavi, S.,
Prasad, K. V., Reddy, M. V., Reddy, M. E., Sahay, B. K., &
Murthy, K. J. (1994). Comparison of effects of yoga & physical
exercise in athletes. Indian Journal of Medical Research 100,
81-86.
METHOD: The effect of yoga breathing practice on exercise
tests was studied in athletes in two phases; sub-maximal and maximal
exercise tests. RESULTS: At the end of phase I (one year)
both groups (control and experimental) achieved significantly
higher work rate and reduction in oxygen consumption per unit
work. There was a significant reduction in blood lactate and an
increase in P/L ratio in the experimental group, at rest. At the
end of phase II (two years), the oxygen consumption per unit work
was found to be significantly reduced and the work rate significantly
increased in the experimental group. Blood lactate decreased significantly
at rest in the experimental group only. Pyruvate and pyruvate-lactate
ratio increased significantly in both groups after exercise and
at rest in the experimental group. The results in both phases
showed that the subjects who practiced yoga breathing could achieve
higher work rates with reduced oxygen consumption per unit work
and without increase in blood lactate levels. The blood lactate
levels were significantly lower at rest.
Vasudevan, A., Kumariah,
V., Mishra, H., & Balodhi, J. P. (1994). Yogic meditation
in tension headache. NIMHANS Journal 12, 69-73.
METHOD: 7 Ss with tension headache were taught and underwent
30 sessions of yogic meditation. Pre, mid, and post assessments
were made using psychophysiological measures. RESULTS: The
results indicated no statistically significant reduction in the
frontalis muscle tension and skin conductance, although clinically
there was a decline. A significant reduction in pain perception
was observed.
Latha, D. & Kaliappan,
K. V. (1987). The efficacy of yoga therapy in the treatment of
migraine and tension headaches. Journal of the Indian Academy
of Applied Psychology 13, 95-100.
METHOD: 20 patients (aged 16-55 yrs) with migraine and tension headaches were randomly assigned to yoga therapy (YT) or no therapy. RESULTS: YT Ss compared with controls showed a significant reduction in headache activity, medication intake, symptoms, and perceived stress, and they had a significant improvement in coping behavior.
Latha, D & Kaliappan,
K. V. (1992). Efficacy of yoga therapy in the management of headaches.
Journal of Indian Psychology 10, 41-47.
METHOD: The effect of yoga was investigated as treatment
for migraine and tension headaches in 20 patients. Ss were randomly
assigned to 4 months of yoga therapy and no treatment control
conditions. Ss in both groups were assessed for headache activity
(in terms of frequency, duration, and intensity), sources of stress,
coping patterns, and somatic symptoms before and after the therapeutic
intervention. RESULTS: Reduction occurred in headache activity,
medication intake, symptoms, and stress perception for the yoga
group. They also showed improved coping behavior.
Schell, F. J., Allolio,
B., & Schonecke, O. W. (1994). Physiological and psychological
effects of Hatha-Yoga exercise in healthy women. International
Journal of Psychosomatics 41, 46-52.
METHOD: Heart rate, blood pressure, and the hormones cortisol,
prolactin and growth hormone were measured in a yoga group and
a control group of young female volunteers reading in a comfortable
position during the experimental period. RESULTS: The yoga
group had decreased heartrate during yoga. The yoga group had
higher scores on life satisfaction and lower scores on excitability,
aggressiveness, openness, emotionality and somatic complaints
and coping with stress and mood by the end of the experiment.
The yoga group also had higher scores on high spirits and extravertedness.
Tooley G. A., Armstrong,
S. M., Norman, T. R., & Sali A. (2000). Acute increases in
night-time plasma melatonin levels following a period of meditation.
Biological Psychology. 53, 69-78.
METHOD: To determine whether a period of
meditation could influence melatonin levels, two groups of meditators
were tested for changes in plasma melatonin levels at midnight.
RESULTS: Experienced meditators practicing yoga showed
significantly higher plasma melatonin levels in the period immediately
following meditation compared with the same period at the same
time on a control night. Facilitation of higher physiological
melatonin levels at appropriate times of day might be one avenue
through which the claimed health promoting effects of meditation
occur.
Murugesan R., Govindarajulu,
N., & Bera, TK. (2000). Effect of selected yogic practices
on the management of hypertension. Indian Journal of Physiology
& Pharmacology. 44, 207-10.
METHOD: Thirty three (N = 33) hypertensives,
aged 35-65 years were examined with four variables including systolic
and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and body weight. The
subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: a yoga group,
a group who received medical treatment by the physician of the
said hospital and a control group. Yoga was offered in the morning
and in the evening with 1 hr/session for 11-weeks. Medical treatment
comprised drug intake every day for the experimental period. RESULTS:
The result of pre-post test revealed that both the treatment
stimuli (i.e., yoga and drug) were effective in controlling the
measures of hypertension.
Patel, C. (1975). Yoga and
biofeedback in the management of 'stress' in hypertensive patients.
Clinical Science & Molecular Medicine - Supplement 2,
171-174.
METHOD: Yoga and biofeedback were used for behavior modification
in 16 hypertensive subjects. RESULTS: The pressor response
to emotional and physical stimuli became less exaggerated and
less protracted compared with controls.
Patel, C. and North, W.
R. (1975). Randomised controlled trial of yoga and bio-feedback
in management of hypertension. Lancet 2, 93-95.
METHOD: 34 hypertensive patients were assigned at random
either to six weeks of yoga methods with biofeedback or to general
relaxation. RESULTS: Both groups showed a reduction in
blood-pressure although the decrease was significantly greater
for the yoga group. The control group was then trained in yoga
relaxation and their blood-pressure fell to that of the other
group (now used as controls).
Patel, C. (1975). 12-month
follow-up of yoga and bio-feedback in the management of hypertension.
Lancet 1, 62-64.
METHOD: Twenty hypertensive patients treated by yoga were
followed up monthly for 12 months. RESULTS: Significant
reductions in blood-pressure (BP) and antihypertensive drug requirements
were satisfactorily maintained in the treatment group. Repetition
of B.P. measurements and increased medical attention did not reduce
B.P. significantly in control patients.
Uma, K., Nagendra, H. R.,
Nagarathna, R., Vaidehi, S., & Seethalakshmi, R. The integrated
approach of yoga: a therapeutic tool for mentally retarded children:
a one-year controlled study. Journal of Mental Deficiency Research
33, 415-421. (1989).
METHOD: Ninety children with mental retardation of mild,
moderate and severe degree were selected for the study. Forty-five
children experienced yoga for one academic year (5 h in every
week) including breathing exercises and meditation. They were
compared before and after yoga with a control group of 45 mentally
retarded children matched for chronological age, sex, IQ, socio-economic
status and socio environmental background who were not exposed
to yoga but continued their usual school routine during that period.
RESULTS: Significant improvement in IQ and social adaptation
parameters occurred in the yoga group as compared to the control
group.
Harvey, J. R. (1983). The
effect of yogic breathing exercises on mood. Journal of the
American Society of Psychosomatic Dentistry and Medicine 30,
39-48.
METHOD: In this study, 6 Ss (aged 20-55 yrs) participated
in a 4-wk class of yoga breathing exercises, 6 Ss (aged 22-35
yrs) took a 6-wk on the philosophy of meditation, and 8 Ss (aged
25-48 yrs) took a course in psychology. RESULTS: The group
who learned breathing exercises showed significant changes on
several dimensions of mood, (including the Profile of Mood States),
including increased vigor and decreased tension, fatigue and depression
relative to the control groups.
Berger, B. G. & Owen,
D. R. (1992). Mood alteration with yoga and swimming: aerobic
exercise may not be necessary. Perceptual & Motor Skills
75, 1331-1343.
METHOD: College students (N = 87) in two swimming classes,
a yoga class, and a lecture-control class completed mood and personality
inventories before and after class on three occasions. RESULTS:
Both the yoga (n = 22) and the swimmers (n = 37) groups reported
greater decreases in scores on Anxiety, Confusion, Tension, and
Depression than the control group (n = 28).
Wood, C. (1993). Mood change
and perceptions of vitality: a comparison of the effects of relaxation,
visualization and yoga. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
86, 254-258.
METHOD: Relaxation, visualization and yogic breathing and
stretch on perceptions of physical and mental energy and on positive
and negative mood states were assessed in a group of 71 normal
volunteers. RESULTS: Stretching produced a significantly
greater increase in perceptions of mental and physical energy
and feelings of alertness and enthusiasm than the other two procedures.
Relaxation made subjects significantly more sleepy and sluggish
immediately after the session than stretching. Visualization made
them more sluggish but less content than stretching and more upset
than relaxation after the second session.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1982). An
outpatient program in behavioral medicine for chronic pain patients
based on the practice of mindfulness meditation: theoretical considerations
and preliminary results. General Hospital Psychiatry 4,
33-47.
METHOD: Meditation was used in a 10-week Stress Reduction
and Relaxation Program to train chronic pain patients in self-regulation.
51 chronic pain patients who had not improved with traditional
medical care and had low back, neck and shoulder, and headache
were recruited for the study. Facial pain, angina pectoris, noncoronary
chest pain, and GI pain were also represented. RESULTS: At
10 weeks, 65% of the patients showed a reduction of greater than
or equal to 33% in the mean total Pain Rating Index (Melzack)
and 50% showed a reduction of greater than or equal to 50%. Similar
decreases were recorded on other pain indices and in the number
of medical symptoms. Significant reductions in mood disturbance
and psychiatric symptomatology accompanied these changes and were
relatively stable on follow-up. These improvements were independent
of the pain category.
Baldwin, M. C (1999). Psychological and physiological influences of Hatha Yoga training on healthy, exercising adults. (yoga, stress, wellness). Dissertation Abstracts International Section A: Humanities and Social Sciences 60, 1031.
METHOD: The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological and physiological differences between adult exercisers who added a weekly yoga class to their regular exercise program and those who did not. Subjects were pre tested and post tested for mood state, stress response, recovery heart rate, and spinal/hamstring flexibilty. Over a period of eight weeks, subjects in both groups continued their normal exercise habits mid maintained exercise logs. Subjects in the Yoga Group added a weekly yoga class. Subjects in the Control Group received a yoga class at a later time. At the end of eight weeks, exercise logs were collected and post tests were conducted. RESULTS: The results suggested: (1) more positive mood change in the Yoga Group over eight weeks, (2) more immediate positive affect from yoga than from cardiovascular or resistance training activities, (3) more compliance with yoga than with cardiovascular or resistance training activities, (4) comparable perceived exertion ratings for 'moderate' Hatha Yoga and routine aerobic exercise (13 on the Borg RPE scale), (5) an 8% gain in spinal and hamstring flexibility in the Yoga Group over eight weeks, and (6) decreased vulnerability to stress in the Yoga Group, at the same time that sources of stress for that group increased.
Telles, S., Nagarathna,
R., Nagendra, H. R., & Desiraju, T. (1993). Physiological
changes in sports teachers following 3 months of training in Yoga.
Indian Journal of Medical Sciences 47, 235-238.
1. This report shows that in a group of 40 physical education
teachers who already had an average of 8.9 years physical training,
3 months of yogic training produced significant improvement in
general health (in terms of body weight and BP reduction and improved
lung functions). 2. There was also evidence of decreased autonomic
arousal and more of psychophysiological relaxation (heart rate
and respiratory rate reduction), and improved somatic steadiness
(decreased errors in the steadiness test). 3. The changes at the
end of 3 months in volar GSR in different directions (increase/decrease/no
change), depending on the initial values, suggests that practicing
yoga may help to bring about a balance in different autonomic
functions, so that functioning is optimized.
Spicuzza L. Gabutti A. Porta
C. Montano N., & Bernardi L. (2000). Yoga and chemoreflex
response to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Lancet 356, 1495-6.
METHOD : This study assessed whether chemoreflex sensitivity
could be affected by the practice of yoga, and whether it was
specifically because of a slow breathing rate obtained during
yoga or as a general consequence of yoga. RESULTS: Slow
breathing rate per se substantially reduced chemoreflex sensitivity,
but long-term yoga practice was responsible for a generalised
reduction in chemoreflex.
Birkel D. A. & Edgren
L. (2000). Hatha yoga: improved vital capacity of college students.
Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine 6, 55-63.
METHOD: To determine the effects of yoga postures and breathing exercises on vital capacity, researchers measured vital capacity using the Spiropet spiromete. Vital capacity determinants were taken near the beginning and end of two 17-week semesters. 89 men and 198 women were taught yoga poses, breathing techniques, and relaxation in two 50-minute class meetings for 15 weeks. RESULTS: The study showed a significant improvement in vital capacity across all categories over time. The subjects' class attendance was 99.96%.
Prakasamma, M. & Bhaduri,
A. (1984). A study of yoga as a nursing intervention in the care
of patients with pleural effusion. Journal of Advanced Nursing
9, 127-133.
METHOD: Yogic breathing as a method of re-expansion of
lungs in patients with pleural effusion was studied. Ten patients
with pleural effusion practiced alternate nostril breathing for
20 days after aspiration of fluid. An equal number matched for
age and smoking habits experienced physiotherapy for the same
period. Lung function was measured: before aspiration; immediately
after aspiration; and, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after aspiration.
The FVC, FEV1, MVV, PEFR, CE and RS, were used to measure lung
function. RESULTS: The results revealed that the patients
practicing nostril breathing demonstrated a quicker re-expansion
of the lungs in most of the measures of lung function. The findings
are discussed in relation to implications for nursing care.
Rai, L., Ram, K., Kant,
U., Madan, S. K., & Sharma, S. K. (1994). Energy expenditure
and ventilatory responses during Siddhasana--a yogic seated posture.
Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology 38, 29-33.
METHOD: Various cardio-ventilatory responses were studied
in states of the horizontal supine, chair-sitting and Siddhasana
(a yoga seated posture). RESULTS: Sitting in the yoga posture
was characterised by greater minute ventilation, larger tidal
volume, higher oxygen consumption, greater CO2 elimination, higher
heartrate frequency, greater oxygen pulse compared with other
two postures.
Makwana, K., Khirwadkar,
N., & Gupta, H. C. (1988). Effect of short term yoga practice
on ventilatory function tests. Indian Journal of Physiology
& Pharmacology 32, 202-208.
METHOD: Twenty five normal male volunteers undergoing a
ten weeks course yoga were assessed by ventilatory functions tests.
RESULTS: The observations recorded at the end of ten weeks
of the course showed improved ventilatory functions in the form
of lowered respiratory rate, increased forced vital capacity,
FEV1, maximum breathing capacity and breath holding time, while
tidal volume and %FEV1, did not reveal any significant change.
Joshi, L. N., Joshi, V. D., & Gokhale,
L. V. (1992). Effect of short term 'Pranayam' practice on breathing rate and
ventilatory functions of lung. Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology
36, 105-108.
METHOD: Thirty-three normal male and forty-two normal female subjects,
of average age of 18.5 years, underwent a six weeks course in yoga breathing
exercises and their ventilatory lung functions were studied before and after
the course. RESULTS: They had improved ventilatory functions in the form
of lowered respiratory rate (RR), and increases in the forced vital capacity
(FVC), forced expiratory volume at the end of 1st second (FEV1%), maximum voluntary
ventilation (MVV), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR-lit/sec), and prolongation
of breath holding time.
Malhotra, V., et al. Study of yoga asanas in assessment of pulmonary function in NIDDM patients.
Indian J Physiol Pharmacol.
2002 Jul;46(3):313-20.
Steadiness
Telles, S., Hanumanthaiah, B., Nagarathna, R., & Nagendra,
H. R. (1993). Improvement in static motor performance following
yogic training of school children. Perceptual & Motor Skills
76, 1264-1266.
METHOD: Two groups of 45 children each, whose ages ranged
from 9 to 13 years, were assessed on a steadiness test, at the
beginning and again at the end of a 10-day period during which
one group received training in yoga, while the other group did
not. The steadiness test required insertion of and holding for
15 sec. a metal stylus without touching the sides of holes of
decreasing sizes in a metal plate. The contacts were counted as
'errors'. During the 10-day period, one group (the 'Yoga' group)
received training in special physical postures (asanas), voluntary
regulation of breathing (Pranayama), maintenance of silence, as
well as visual focusing exercises (tratakas) and games to improve
the attention span and memory. The other group (control) carried
out their usual routine. RESULTS: After 10 days, the 'Yoga'
group showed a significant improvement.