Hemisphere specific EEG related to alternate nostril yoga breathing.
Author: Telles S1, Gupta RK2, Yadav A2, Pathak S2, Balkrishna A2
Affiliation:
1Patanjali Research Foundation, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Maharishi Dayanand Gram, Bahadrabad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249402, India. shirleytelles@gmail.com.
2Patanjali Research Foundation, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Maharishi Dayanand Gram, Bahadrabad, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249402, India.
Conference/Journal: BMC Res Notes.
Date published: 2017 Jul 24
Other:
Volume ID: 10 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 306 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1186/s13104-017-2625-6. , Word Count: 209
BACKGROUND: Previously, forced unilateral nostril breathing was associated with ipsilateral, or contralateral cerebral hemisphere changes, or no change. Hence it was inconclusive. The present study was conducted on 13 normal healthy participants to determine the effects of alternate nostril yoga breathing on (a) cerebral hemisphere asymmetry, and (b) changes in the standard EEG bands.
METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated to three sessions (a) alternate nostril yoga breathing (ANYB), (b) breath awareness and (c) quiet sitting, on separate days. EEG was recorded from bilaterally symmetrical sites (FP1, FP2, C3, C4, O1 and O2). All sites were referenced to the ipsilateral ear lobe.
RESULTS: There was no change in cerebral hemisphere symmetry. The relative power in the theta band was decreased during alternate nostril yoga breathing (ANYB) and the beta amplitude was lower after ANYB. During quiet sitting the relative power in the beta band increased, while the amplitude of the alpha band reduced.
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that ANYB was associated with greater calmness, whereas quiet sitting without specific directions was associated with arousal. The results imply a possible use of ANYB for stress and anxiety reduction.
KEYWORDS: Alternate nostril yoga breathing; Breath awareness; Cerebral hemisphere symmetry; EEG; EEG bands; EEG relative power; Quiet sitting
PMID: 28738882 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2625-6
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