Author: Bhavanani AB1, Raj JB2, Ramanathan M3, Trakroo M4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Deputy Director, Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education and Research (CYTER), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute , Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry, India .
<sup>2</sup>Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute , Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry, India .
<sup>3</sup>Co-ordinator and Yoga Therapist, CYTER, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute , Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry, India .
<sup>4</sup>Professor and Head, Department of Physiology, and Director CYTER, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute , Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry, India .
Conference/Journal: J Clin Diagn Res.
Date published: 2016 Mar
Other:
Volume ID: 10 , Issue ID: 3 , Pages: CC04-6 , Special Notes: doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/16306.7408. Epub 2016 Mar 1. , Word Count: 239
INTRODUCTION: 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.
AIM: To evaluate changes in RSA by utilizing a simple and cost-effective analysis of electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings obtained during performance of four pranayama techniques.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 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.
RESULTS: 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.
CONCLUSION: 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.
KEYWORDS: Cardiovascular; ECG; Heart rate; Yoga
PMID: 27134863 [PubMed]