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Under denna rubrik finns forskning om Hjärtat i samband med olika yogiska aktiviteter. Sammandragen ligger i kronologisk ordning.
F.n. finns totalt 30 sammandrag ur olika forskningsrapporter under rubriken ”Hjärtat”
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Altern Ther Health Med 2002 Jul-Aug;8(4):64-6, 68-70, 72-3
Changes in spirituality and well-being in a retreat program for cardiac patients.
Kennedy JE, Abbott RA, Rosenberg BS.
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, USA.
CONTEXT: Many epidemiological studies indicate that spirituality or religion are positively correlated with health measures, but research is needed on interventions that change spirituality to verify that it actually affects health and to justify suggestions that changes in spiritual practices or beliefs may have health benefits. However, it is not clear that health interventions can influence spirituality or which techniques are effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether participation in a retreat program for cardiac patients and their partners resulted in changes in spirituality and whether changes in spirituality were related to changes in well-being meaning in life, anger, and confidence in handling problems. DESIGN: Participants filled out questionnaires before and after participating in the retreat. SETTING: Retreats were sponsored by the Health Promotion and Wellness Program, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and were held in a remote training center. PARTICIPANTS: Notices were sent to cardiac rehabilitation programs and directly to heart patients, resulting in the enrollment of 72 first-time participants. INTERVENTION: The 2.5-day educational retreats included discussion and opportunities to experience healthy lifestyle options. Exercise, nutrition, stress management techniques, communication skills that enhance social support, and spiritual principles of healing were incorporated. Experiential practices included yoga, meditation, visualization, and prayer. RESULTS: Of the participants, 78% reported increased spirituality after the retreat. Changes in spirituality were positively associated with increased well-being meaning in life, confidence in handling problems, and decreased tendency to become angry. CONCLUSIONS: Programs that explore spirituality in a health context can result in increased spirituality that is associated with increased well-being and related measures. Many patients and their families want to integrate the spiritual and health dimensions of their lives. Further work is needed to develop healthcare settings that can support this integration.
Kennedy JE, Abbott RA, Rosenberg BS.
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, USA.
CONTEXT: Many epidemiological studies indicate that spirituality or religion are positively correlated with health measures, but research is needed on interventions that change spirituality to verify that it actually affects health and to justify suggestions that changes in spiritual practices or beliefs may have health benefits. However, it is not clear that health interventions can influence spirituality or which techniques are effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether participation in a retreat program for cardiac patients and their partners resulted in changes in spirituality and whether changes in spirituality were related to changes in well-
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Jpn J Physiol 2002 Jun;52(3):313-6
Is man able to breathe once a minute for an hour?: the effect of yoga respiration on blood gases.
Miyamura M, Nishimura K, Ishida K, Katayama K, Shimaoka M, Hiruta S.
Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan. miyamura@htc.nagoya-u.ac.jp
The ventilatory response to hypercapnia and arterial blood gases during ujjai respiration of once per minute for an hour were determined in a professional hatha yogi. The results suggest that lower chemosensitivity to hypercapnia in yoga practitioners may be due to an adaptation to low arterial pH and high PaCO(2) for long periods.
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Miyamura M, Nishimura K, Ishida K, Katayama K, Shimaoka M, Hiruta S.
Research Center of Health, Physical Fitness and Sports, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-
The ventilatory response to hypercapnia and arterial blood gases during ujjai respiration of once per minute for an hour were determined in a professional hatha yogi. The results suggest that lower chemosensitivity to hypercapnia in yoga practitioners may be due to an adaptation to low arterial pH and high PaCO(2) for long periods.
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J Assoc Physicians India 2002 May;50(5):633-40
Therapeutic potential of yoga practices in modifying cardiovascular risk profile in middle aged men and women.
Damodaran A, Malathi A, Patil N, Shah N, Suryavansihi, Marathe S.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Medical Division Mumbai.
AIMS OF STUDY: To study effect of yoga on the physiological, psychological well being, psychomotor parameter and modifying cardiovascular risk factors in mild to moderate hypertensive patients. METHODS: Twenty patients (16 males, 4 females) in the age group of 35 to 55 years with mild to moderate essential hypertension underwent yogic practices daily for one hour for three months. Biochemical, physiological and psychological parameters were studied prior and following period of three months of yoga practices, biochemical parameters included, blood glucose, lipid profile, catecholmines, MDA, Vit. C cholinesterase and urinary VMA. Psychological evaluation was done by using personal orientation inventory and subjective well being. RESULTS: Results showed decrease in blood pressure and drug score modifying risk factors, i.e. blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides decreased overall improvement in subjective well being and quality of life. There was decrease in VMA catecholamine, and decrease MDA level suggestive decrease sympathetic activity and oxidant stress. CONCLUSION: Yoga can play an important role in risk modification for cardiovascular diseases in mild to moderate hypertension.
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Damodaran A, Malathi A, Patil N, Shah N, Suryavansihi, Marathe S.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Medical Division Mumbai.
AIMS OF STUDY: To study effect of yoga on the physiological, psychological well being, psychomotor parameter and modifying cardiovascular risk factors in mild to moderate hypertensive patients. METHODS: Twenty patients (16 males, 4 females) in the age group of 35 to 55 years with mild to moderate essential hypertension underwent yogic practices daily for one hour for three months. Biochemical, physiological and psychological parameters were studied prior and following period of three months of yoga practices, biochemical parameters included, blood glucose, lipid profile, catecholmines, MDA, Vit. C cholinesterase and urinary VMA. Psychological evaluation was done by using personal orientation inventory and subjective well being. RESULTS: Results showed decrease in blood pressure and drug score modifying risk factors, i.e. blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides decreased overall improvement in subjective well being and quality of life. There was decrease in VMA catecholamine, and decrease MDA level suggestive decrease sympathetic activity and oxidant stress. CONCLUSION: Yoga can play an important role in risk modification for cardiovascular diseases in mild to moderate hypertension.
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BMJ 2001 Dec 22-29;323(7327):1446-9
Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study.
Bernardi L, Sleight P, Bandinelli G, Cencetti S, Fattorini L, Wdowczyc-Szulc J, Lagi A.
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: To test whether rhythmic formulas such as the rosary and yoga mantras can synchronise and reinforce inherent cardiovascular rhythms and modify baroreflex sensitivity. DESIGN: Comparison of effects of recitation of the Ave Maria (in Latin) or of a mantra, during spontaneous and metronome controlled breathing, on breathing rate and on spontaneous oscillations in RR interval, and on blood pressure and cerebral circulation. SETTING: Florence and Pavia, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 23 healthy adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Breathing rate, regularity of breathing, baroreflex sensitivity, frequency of cardiovascular oscillations. RESULTS: Both prayer and mantra caused striking, powerful, and synchronous increases in existing cardiovascular rhythms when recited six times a minute. Baroreflex sensitivity also increased significantly, from 9.5 (SD 4.6) to 11.5 (4.9) ms/mm Hg, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Rhythm formulas that involve breathing at six breaths per minute induce favourable psychological and possibly physiological effects.
Bernardi L, Sleight P, Bandinelli G, Cencetti S, Fattorini L, Wdowczyc-
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
OBJECTIVE: To test whether rhythmic formulas such as the rosary and yoga mantras can synchronise and reinforce inherent cardiovascular rhythms and modify baroreflex sensitivity. DESIGN: Comparison of effects of recitation of the Ave Maria (in Latin) or of a mantra, during spontaneous and metronome controlled breathing, on breathing rate and on spontaneous oscillations in RR interval, and on blood pressure and cerebral circulation. SETTING: Florence and Pavia, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 23 healthy adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Breathing rate, regularity of breathing, baroreflex sensitivity, frequency of cardiovascular oscillations. RESULTS: Both prayer and mantra caused striking, powerful, and synchronous increases in existing cardiovascular rhythms when recited six times a minute. Baroreflex sensitivity also increased significantly, from 9.5 (SD 4.6) to 11.5 (4.9) ms/mm Hg, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Rhythm formulas that involve breathing at six breaths per minute induce favourable psychological and possibly physiological effects.
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2000 Oct;44(4):392-400
Cardiovascular responses to head-down-body-up postural exercise (Sarvangasana).
Konar D, Latha R, Bhuvaneswaran JS.
Department of Physiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore-641 004.
Sarvangasana (SVGN) is a head-down-body-up postural exercise in a 'negative g' condition. Though highly recommended as one of the three best of all the asanas it has not yet been studied for its very obvious effects on the cardiovascular (CV) functions. This paper reports the results of the first systematic investigation on SVGN employing echocardiographic analysis in eight healthy male subjects before and after a practice of this asana twice daily for two weeks. The resting heart rate (HR) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) were significantly reduced (P < 0.02, P < 0.01 respectively) after practising this asana. A tendency toward a mild regression of the left ventricular mass was noticed, though it was not statistically significant. The CV responses to acute 45 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) in a tilt table was not altered after practising this asana. Also there was no orthostatic intolerance during the 3-5 min period of 70 degrees head-up tilt (HUT). These results strongly indicate that further studies of this asana performed for a longer period is most likely to yield very significant observations of applied value.
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Cardiovascular responses to head-
Konar D, Latha R, Bhuvaneswaran JS.
Department of Physiology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Peelamedu, Coimbatore-
Sarvangasana (SVGN) is a head-
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J Assoc Physicians India 2000 Jul;48(7):687-94
Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention.
Manchanda SC, Narang R, Reddy KS, Sachdeva U, Prabhakaran D, Dharmanand S, Rajani M, Bijlani R.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
BACKGROUND: Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with coronary artery disease though objective, angiographic studies are lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga, 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 control group. Revascularisation procedures (coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery) were less frequently required in the yoga group (one versus eight patients; relative risk = 5.45; P = 0.01). 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 (chi-square = 24.9; P < 0.0001). The compliance to the total program was excellent and no side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Yoga lifestyle intervention retards progression and increases regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease. It also improves symptomatic status, functional class and risk factor profile.
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Manchanda SC, Narang R, Reddy KS, Sachdeva U, Prabhakaran D, Dharmanand S, Rajani M, Bijlani R.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
BACKGROUND: Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with coronary artery disease though objective, angiographic studies are lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga, 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-
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2000 Apr;44(2):207-10
Effect of selected yogic practices on the management of hypertension.
Murugesan R, Govindarajulu N, Bera TK.
Department of Physical Education, Pondicherry University.
On the basis of medical officers diagnosis, thirty three (N = 33) hypertensives, aged 35-65 years, from Govt. General Hospital, Pondicherry, were examined with four variables viz, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and body weight. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups. The exp. group-I underwent selected yoga practices, exp. group-II received medical treatment by the physician of the said hospital and the control group did not participate in any of the treatment stimuli. Yoga imparted in the morning and in the evening with 1 hr/session. day-1 for a total period of 11-weeks. Medical treatment comprised drug intake every day for the whole experimental period. The result of pre-post test with ANCOVA revealed that both the treatment stimuli (i.e., yoga and drug) were effective in controlling the variables of hypertension.
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Murugesan R, Govindarajulu N, Bera TK.
Department of Physical Education, Pondicherry University.
On the basis of medical officers diagnosis, thirty three (N = 33) hypertensives, aged 35-
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J Indian Med Assoc 2000 Apr;98(4):176-9
The problems of hypertension in the elderly.
Arya SN.
IMA College of General Practitioners, New Delhi.
The cut off age for elderly person in India is 60-65 years, in the USA is 75-80 years and 6th Joint Committee on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC-VI) has identified it as above 60 years. Elderly people may have (i) systolic-diastolic hypertension, (ii) isolated systolic hypertension or (iii) pseudohypertension. JNC-VI has classified hypertension in stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3 according to its severity. Hypertension is confirmed when BP measured on three separate occasions over 1-2 weeks and when consistently it is raised above 140/90 mm Hg. The management includes lifestyle modification and drug treatment. Lifestyle modification includes rationality of diet, regular exercise, stop smoking, stoppage of alcohol or moderation and yoga. Drugs commonly used are diureties and beta-blockers. Other antihypertensive drugs are calcium channel blockers, ACE-inhibitors, alpha-blockers and vasodilators.
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Arya SN.
IMA College of General Practitioners, New Delhi.
The cut off age for elderly person in India is 60-
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Int J Cardiol 1999 Jul 31;70(2):101-7
Exaggerated heart rate oscillations during two meditation techniques.
Peng CK, Mietus JE, Liu Y, Khalsa G, Douglas PS, Benson H, Goldberger AL.
Margaret and H.A. Rey Laboratory for Nonlinear Dynamics in Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
We report extremely prominent heart rate oscillations associated with slow breathing during specific traditional forms of Chinese Chi and Kundalini Yoga meditation techniques in healthy young adults. We applied both spectral analysis and a novel analytic technique based on the Hilbert transform to quantify these heart rate dynamics. The amplitude of these oscillations during meditation was significantly greater than in the pre-meditation control state and also in three non-meditation control groups: i) elite athletes during sleep, ii) healthy young adults during metronomic breathing, and iii) healthy young adults during spontaneous nocturnal breathing. This finding, along with the marked variability of the beat-to-beat heart rate dynamics during such profound meditative states, challenges the notion of meditation as only an autonomically quiescent state.
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Peng CK, Mietus JE, Liu Y, Khalsa G, Douglas PS, Benson H, Goldberger AL.
Margaret and H.A. Rey Laboratory for Nonlinear Dynamics in Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
We report extremely prominent heart rate oscillations associated with slow breathing during specific traditional forms of Chinese Chi and Kundalini Yoga meditation techniques in healthy young adults. We applied both spectral analysis and a novel analytic technique based on the Hilbert transform to quantify these heart rate dynamics. The amplitude of these oscillations during meditation was significantly greater than in the pre-
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Compr Ther 1999 May;25(5):283-93
Mind-body therapy in the management and prevention of coronary disease.
Pandya DP, Vyas VH, Vyas SH.
Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA.
Conventional mind-body therapy has been proven a valuable non invasive way to manage coronary disease. Yoga practice, especially, has been found to be valuable in preventing adverse outcomes of coronary disease by improving resistance to stress.
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Pandya DP, Vyas VH, Vyas SH.
Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA.
Conventional mind-
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Indian Heart J 1999 Jan-Feb;51(1):37-40
Lipid profile of coronary risk subjects following yogic lifestyle intervention.
Mahajan AS, Reddy KS, Sachdeva U.
Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
The effect of yogic lifestyle on the lipid status was studied in angina patients and normal subjects with risk factors of coronary artery disease. The parameters included the body weight, estimation of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and the cholesterol - HDL ratio. A baseline evaluation was done and then the angina patients and risk factors subjects were randomly assigned as control (n = 41) and intervention (yoga) group (n = 52). Lifestyle advice was given to both the groups. An integrated course of yoga training was given for four days followed by practice at home. Serial evaluation of both the groups was done at four, 10 and 14 weeks. Dyslipidemia was a constant feature in all cases. An inconsistent pattern of change was observed in the control group of angina (n = 18) and risk factor subjects (n = 23). The subjects practising yoga showed a regular decrease in all lipid parameters except HDL. The effect started from four weeks and lasted for 14 weeks. Thus, the effect of yogic lifestyle on some of the modifiable risk factors could probably explain the preventive and therapeutic beneficial effect observed in coronary artery disease.
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Mahajan AS, Reddy KS, Sachdeva U.
Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
The effect of yogic lifestyle on the lipid status was studied in angina patients and normal subjects with risk factors of coronary artery disease. The parameters included the body weight, estimation of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and the cholesterol -
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1998 Oct;42(4):467-72
Effect of two selected yogic breathing techniques of heart rate variability.
Raghuraj P, Ramakrishnan AG, Nagendra HR, Telles S.
Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore.
The heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator of the cardiac autonomic control. Two spectral components are usually recorded, viz. high frequency (0.15-0.50 Hz), which is due to vagal efferent activity and a low frequency component (0.05-0.15 Hz), due to sympathetic activity. The present study was conducted to study the HRV in two yoga practices which have been previously reported to have opposite effects, viz, sympathetic stimulation (kapalabhati, breathing at high frequency, i.e., 2.0 Hz) and reduced sympathetic activity (nadisuddhi, alternate nostril breathing). Twelve male volunteers (age range, 21 to 33 years) were assessed before and after each practice on separate days. The electrocardiogram (lead I) was digitized on-line and off-line analysis was done. The results showed a significant increase in low frequency (LF) power and LF/HF ratio while high frequency (HF) power was significantly lower following kapalabhati. There were no significant changes following nadisuddhi. The results suggest that kapalabhati modifies the autonomic status by increasing sympathetic activity with reduced vagal activity. The study also suggests that HRV is a more useful psychophysiological measure than heart rate alone.
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Raghuraj P, Ramakrishnan AG, Nagendra HR, Telles S.
Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore.
The heart rate variability (HRV) is an indicator of the cardiac autonomic control. Two spectral components are usually recorded, viz. high frequency (0.15-
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1998 Apr;42(2):205-13
A new physiological approach to control essential hypertension.
Selvamurthy W, Sridharan K, Ray US, Tiwary RS, Hegde KS, Radhakrishan U, Sinha KC.
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi.
This study was conducted on 20 male patients of Essential Hypertension (EH) in order to explore the possible role of baroreflex mechanism in the etiology of EH and also to find out whether by restoration of baroreflex sensitivity to normal level either by postural tilt stimulus on a tilt table or by the equivalent yogic postural exercise (Yogic asanas), the EH could be cured or controlled. Patients on therapeutic regime were gradually withdrawn from drug therapy, and later divided into two groups of 10 each. Group-I (age 34 +/- 1.7 years) was subjected to a 3 week course of 70 degrees head-up tilt for 30 min daily, while in group-II (age 50 +/- 3.3 years), specific yogic exercises equivalent to head-up or head-down tilt were administered for the same duration. The progressive autonomic readjustments were assessed by a battery of tests including cardiovascular responses to head up tilt, cold pressor response at 4 degrees C water (CPR), alpha index of EEG (AI), level of blood catecholamines (CA) and plasma renin activity (PRA). At the end of 3 weeks, there was a significant reduction (P < 0.001) in blood pressure in both the groups. Progressive changes in BP and HR response to tilt during 3 weeks course of tilt and yogic exercise clearly indicated gradual improvement in baroreflex sensitivity. Likewise, changes in other indices like CPR, AI, CA and PRA indicated progressive attenuation of sypatho-adrenal and renin-angiotensin activity. All these changes together with the reduction in BP strongly suggest a close link between the etiology of EH and baroreflexes on the one hand and controlling influence of the latter on sympatho-adrenal and renin-angiotensin systems on the other. It also throws light on the physiological mechanism underlying the effects of selected yogic exercises in the treatment of EH.
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Selvamurthy W, Sridharan K, Ray US, Tiwary RS, Hegde KS, Radhakrishan U, Sinha KC.
Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi.
This study was conducted on 20 male patients of Essential Hypertension (EH) in order to explore the possible role of baroreflex mechanism in the etiology of EH and also to find out whether by restoration of baroreflex sensitivity to normal level either by postural tilt stimulus on a tilt table or by the equivalent yogic postural exercise (Yogic asanas), the EH could be cured or controlled. Patients on therapeutic regime were gradually withdrawn from drug therapy, and later divided into two groups of 10 each. Group-
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J Altern Complement Med 1997 Fall;3(3):291-5
Influence of intensive yoga training on physiological changes in 6 adult women: a case report.
Raju PS, Prasad KV, Venkata RY, Murthy KJ, Reddy MV.
Department of Work-Physiology, Govt. Vemana Yoga Research Institute, Ameerpet, Hyderabad, India.
The short-term effects of 4 weeks of intensive yoga practice on physiological responses in six healthy adult female volunteers were measured using the maximal exercise treadmill test. Yoga practice involved daily morning and evening sessions of 90 minutes each. Pre- and post-yoga exercise performance was compared. Maximal work output (Wmax) for the group increased by 21%, with a significantly reduced level of oxygen consumption per unit work but without a concomitant significant change in heart rate. After intensive yoga training, at 154 Wmin(-1) (corresponding to Wmax of the pre-yoga maximal exercise test) participants could exercise more comfortably, with a significantly lower heart rate (p < 0.05), reduced minute ventilation (p < 0.05), reduced oxygen consumption per unit work (p < 0.05), and a significantly lower respiratory quotient (p < 0.05). The implications for the effect of intensive yoga on cardiorespiratory efficiency are discussed, with the suggestion that yoga has some transparently different quantifiable physiological effects to other exercises.
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Raju PS, Prasad KV, Venkata RY, Murthy KJ, Reddy MV.
Department of Work-
The short-
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Indian J Med Res 1994 Aug;100:81-6
Comparison of effects of yoga & physical exercise in athletes.
Raju PS, Madhavi S, Prasad KV, Reddy MV, Reddy ME, Sahay BK, Murthy KJ.
Govt. Vemana Yoga Research Institute, Secunderabad.
The effect of pranayama a controlled breathing practice, on exercise tests was studied in athletes in two phases; sub-maximal and maximal exercise tests. At the end of phase I (one year) both the 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 the groups after exercise and at rest in the experimental group. The results in both phases showed that the subjects who practised pranayama 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 low at rest.
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Raju PS, Madhavi S, Prasad KV, Reddy MV, Reddy ME, Sahay BK, Murthy KJ.
Govt. Vemana Yoga Research Institute, Secunderabad.
The effect of pranayama a controlled breathing practice, on exercise tests was studied in athletes in two phases; sub-
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1994 Jan;38(1):29-33
Energy expenditure and ventilatory responses during Siddhasana--a yogic seated posture.
Rai L, Ram K, Kant U, Madan SK, Sharma SK.
Central Research Institute for Yoga, New Delhi.
Reports of energy expenditure and ventilatory responses to yogic seated posture of Siddhasana are lacking in literature. Various cardio-ventilatory responses were studied in states of the horizontal supine, chair-sitting and Siddhasana. It was observed that sitting in Siddhasana posture was characterised by greater minute ventilation, larger tidal volume, higher oxygen consumption, greater CO2 elimination, higher heart frequency greater oxygen pulse and lesser as compared with other two postures. These observations suggest that Siddhasana is a mild type of exercise and may have its application in conditions of low cardio-respiratory reserves especially in individuals in whom heavy exercises are contra-indicated.
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Rai L, Ram K, Kant U, Madan SK, Sharma SK.
Central Research Institute for Yoga, New Delhi.
Reports of energy expenditure and ventilatory responses to yogic seated posture of Siddhasana are lacking in literature. Various cardio-
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Int J Neurosci 1993 Nov;73(1-2):47-60
The effects of unilateral forced nostril breathing on the heart.
Shannahoff-Khalsa DS, Kennedy B.
Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego 92103-8341.
Three experiments are described that employ impedance cardiography to monitor the effects of unilateral forced nostril breathing (UFNB) on the heart. Experiment 1 includes 7 subjects (4 males, 3 females) with a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min (BPM). Experiment 2 includes 16 trials using one subject to examine the intraindividual variability, at 6 BPM. Experiment 3 includes 10 trials with the same subject in experiment 2, but with a respiratory rate of 2-3 breaths/s. This rapid rate of respiration is a yogic breathing technique called "breath of fire" or "kapalabhatti" and employs a very shallow but rapid breath in which the abdominal region acts like a bellows. All 3 experiments demonstrated that right UFNB increases heart rate (HR) compared to left. Experiment 1 gave 7 negative slopes, or lowering in HR with left nostril breathing and 7 positive slopes, or increases in HR with right nostril breathing, p = .001. The second and third experiments showed differences in HR means in which right UFNB increases HR more than left, p = .013, p = .001, respectively. In experiment 2 stroke volume was higher with left UFNB, p = .045, compensating for lower HR. Left UFNB increased end diastolic volume as measured in both experiments 1 and 2, p = .006, p = .001, respectively. These results demonstrate a unique unilateral effect on sympathetic stimulation of the heart that may have therapeutic value.
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Shannahoff-
Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego 92103-
Three experiments are described that employ impedance cardiography to monitor the effects of unilateral forced nostril breathing (UFNB) on the heart. Experiment 1 includes 7 subjects (4 males, 3 females) with a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min (BPM). Experiment 2 includes 16 trials using one subject to examine the intraindividual variability, at 6 BPM. Experiment 3 includes 10 trials with the same subject in experiment 2, but with a respiratory rate of 2-
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Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 1993 Jul-Aug;(4):7-9
Elements of yoga therapy in the combined rehabilitation of myocardial infarct patients in the functional recovery period
Article in Russian
Bulavin VV, Kliuzhev VM, Kliachkin LM, Lakshmankumar, Zuikhin ND, Vlasova TN.
Fifty-nine postmyocardial infarction patients received combined therapy involving chemotherapy, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises and yoga therapy. Thirty-seven controls received the same treatment without yoga exercise. The yoga complex implied elementary simple positions, relaxation exercise and respiratory exercise. A clinical response evident in both the groups appeared more pronounced in the test group as shown by marked improvement in external respiration and blood counts, in exercise tolerance and psychosomatic condition of the patients.
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Article in Russian
Bulavin VV, Kliuzhev VM, Kliachkin LM, Lakshmankumar, Zuikhin ND, Vlasova TN.
Fifty-
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Homeost Health Dis 1991 Oct;33(3):126-34
Kapalabhati--yogic cleansing exercise. I. Cardiovascular and respiratory changes.
Stancak A Jr, Kuna M, Srinivasan, Vishnudevananda S, Dostalek C.
Institute of Physiological Regulations, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Praha.
We studied cardiovascular and respiratory changes during yogic breathing exercise kapalabhati (KB) in 17 advanced yoga practitioners. The exercise consisted in fast shallow abdominal respiratory movements at about 2 Hz frequency. Blood pressure, ECG and respiration were recorded continuously during three 5 min periods of KB and during pre- and post-KB resting periods. The beat-to-beat series of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), R-R intervals and respiration were analysed by spectral analysis of time series. The mean absolute power was calculated in three frequency bands--band of spontaneous respiration, band of 0.1 Hz rhythm and the low-frequency band greater than 15 s in all spectra. The mean modulus calculated between SBP and R-R intervals was used as a parameter of baroreceptor-cardiac reflex sensitivity (BRS). Heart rate increased by 9 beats per min during KB. SBP and DBP increased during KB by 15 and 6 mmHg respectively. All frequency bands of R-R interval variability were reduced in KB. Also the BRS parameter was reduced in KB. The amplitude of the high-frequency oscillations in SBP and DBP increased during KB. The low-frequency blood pressure oscillations were increased after KB. The results point to decreased cardiac vagal tone during KB which was due to changes in respiratory pattern and due to decreased sensitivity of arterial baroreflex. Decreased respiratory rate and increased SBP and low-frequency blood pressure oscillations after KB suggest a differentiated pattern of vegetative activation and inhibition associated with KB exercise.
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Stancak A Jr, Kuna M, Srinivasan, Vishnudevananda S, Dostalek C.
Institute of Physiological Regulations, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Praha.
We studied cardiovascular and respiratory changes during yogic breathing exercise kapalabhati (KB) in 17 advanced yoga practitioners. The exercise consisted in fast shallow abdominal respiratory movements at about 2 Hz frequency. Blood pressure, ECG and respiration were recorded continuously during three 5 min periods of KB and during pre-
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Physiol Res 1991;40(3):345-54
Observations on respiratory and cardiovascular rhythmicities during yogic high-frequency respiration.
Stancak A Jr, Kuna M, Novak P, Srinivasan MA, Dostalek C, Vishnudevananda S.
Institute of Physiological Regulations, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague.
Yogic high-frequency respiration--kapalabhati (KB)--was studied in 24 subjects from a point of rhythmicity. Respiratory movements, blood pressure and R-R intervals of ECG were recorded in parallel and evaluated by spectral analysis of time series. Respiratory signals during KB were modulated by 0.1 Hz rhythm in 82% of experiments. This component was also present in R-R intervals and blood pressure during KB. Frequency (0.2-0.3 Hz) was observed in 67% of respiratory records. The presence of the component 0.2-0.3 Hz in respiration was dependent on resting respiratory frequency. This frequency component was reduced in R-R intervals but increased in blood pressure during kapalabhati as compared to that at rest. The occurrence of both frequency components in respiration during KB supports the hypothesis about the integrative role of cardiovascular and respiratory rhythms in physiological states characterized by altered respiratory frequency.
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Stancak A Jr, Kuna M, Novak P, Srinivasan MA, Dostalek C, Vishnudevananda S.
Institute of Physiological Regulations, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prague.
Yogic high-
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J Hypertens Suppl 1990 Sep;8(4):S21-6
Non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension.
Silverberg DS.
Public Health Department, Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
Weight reduction, alcohol restriction, mild salt restriction, eating a vegetarian diet and increasing aerobic exercise will generally lower the blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Eating a diet rich in potassium and reducing caffeine intake may also be helpful in reducing the pressure, but increasing the fiber or calcium intake will generally be ineffective. Reducing fat intake from the usual 40% of total calories to 25-30% may reduce hypertension directly or by weight reduction. Smoking, when combined with excessive caffeine or alcohol intake may have an additive effect on blood pressure. Monotherapy with such behavioral techniques as self-monitoring of blood pressure, biofeedback, meditation, yoga, progressive muscular relaxation or cognitive therapy may reduce the blood pressure to a variable degree, and combinations of these treatments may be even more successful.
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Silverberg DS.
Public Health Department, Tel-
Weight reduction, alcohol restriction, mild salt restriction, eating a vegetarian diet and increasing aerobic exercise will generally lower the blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Eating a diet rich in potassium and reducing caffeine intake may also be helpful in reducing the pressure, but increasing the fiber or calcium intake will generally be ineffective. Reducing fat intake from the usual 40% of total calories to 25-
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Act Nerv Super (Praha) 1990 Jun;32(2):99-114
Hathayogic exercise jalandharabandha in its effect on cardiovascular response to apnoea.
Lepicovska V, Dostalek C, Kovarova M.
Institute of Physiological Regulations, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Praha.
Jalandharabandha (JB) is the important constituent of apnoea (kumbhaka) in hathayogic breathing exercises. It is performed by pressing the chin into the jugular notch and creating thus the positive pressure on the neck region. The influence of JB on the heart rate and vasomotor response was studied in relationship to different lung volumes. The course of R-R intervals is highly significantly different according to the type of apnoea. JB leads to the diminution of bradycardia, but does not change the position of the maximum and minimum in comparison to the apnoea without JB. Application of JB increases the number of vasodilatations and shortens the latencies of vasodilatations, duration and amplitude of reactions. JB during breath holding decreases the vagal reflex changes and may thus work as a stabilizing component in yogic breathing exercises.
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Lepicovska V, Dostalek C, Kovarova M.
Institute of Physiological Regulations, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Praha.
Jalandharabandha (JB) is the important constituent of apnoea (kumbhaka) in hathayogic breathing exercises. It is performed by pressing the chin into the jugular notch and creating thus the positive pressure on the neck region. The influence of JB on the heart rate and vasomotor response was studied in relationship to different lung volumes. The course of R-
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BMJ 1990 May 26;300(6736):1368-72
Relaxation therapy and continuous ambulatory blood pressure in mild hypertension: a controlled study.
van Montfrans GA, Karemaker JM, Wieling W, Dunning AJ.
Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE--To determine the long term effects of relaxation therapy on 24 hour ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure in patients with mild untreated and uncomplicated hypertension. DESIGN--Four week screening period followed by randomisation to receive either relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling for one year. Ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure was measured before and after treatment. SETTING--Outpatient clinic in Amsterdam's university hospital. SUBJECTS--35 Subjects aged 20-60 who were being treated by general practitioners for hypertension but were referred to take part in the study. At three consecutive screening visits all subjects had a diastolic blood pressure without treatment of 95-110 mm Hg. Subjects were excluded if they had damaged target organs, secondary hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a cholesterol concentration greater than 8 mmol/l, or a history of malignant hypertension. INTERVENTIONS--The group allocated to relaxation therapy was trained for eight weeks (one hour a week) in muscle relaxation, yoga exercises, and stress management and continued exercising twice daily for one year with monthly visits to the clinic. The control group had the same attendance schedule but had no training and were requested just to sit and relax twice a day. All subjects were asked not to change their diet or physical activity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Changes in ambulatory intra-arterial blood pressure after one year of relaxation therapy or non-specific counselling. RESULTS--Mean urinary sodium excretion, serum concentration of cholesterol, and body weight did not change in either group. Diastolic pressures measured by sphygmomanometry were 2 and 3 mm Hg lower in subjects in the relaxation group and control group respectively at the one year follow up compared with initial readings. The mean diastolic ambulatory intra-arterial pressure during the daytime had not changed after one year in either group, but small treatment effects could not be excluded: the mean change for the relaxation group was -1 mm Hg (95% confidence interval -6 to 3.9 mm Hg) and for the control group -0.4 mm Hg (-5.3 to 4.6 mm Hg). Mean ambulatory pressure in the evening also had not changed over the year, and in both groups nighttime pressure was 5 mm Hg higher. The variability in blood pressure was the same at both measurements. CONCLUSIONS--Relaxation therapy was an ineffective method of lowering 24 hour blood pressure, being no more beneficial than non-specific advice, support, and reassurance--themselves ineffective as a treatment for hypertension.
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van Montfrans GA, Karemaker JM, Wieling W, Dunning AJ.
Department of Cardiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE-
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Aviat Space Environ Med 1989 Jul;60(7):684-7
Treatment of essential hypertension with yoga relaxation therapy in a USAF aviator: a case report.
Brownstein AH, Dembert ML.
Flight Medicine Department, Regional Medical Center, Clark Air Base, Luzon, Republic of the Philippines.
A 46-year-old Caucasian male USAF aviator with a 6-year history of mild essential hypertension (medical waiver for flight duty) under unsuccessful treatment with hydrochlorothiazide, dietary modification, and exercise, was subsequently trained in yoga relaxation. After 6 weeks, medication had been discontinued, and his diastolic blood pressure remained within normal levels. The patient was subsequently returned to full flight status without recurrence of diastolic hypertension at followup 6 months later. Relaxation training, of which yoga is one type, has been reported in the medical literature to have wide clinical application. It should be considered as a nonpharmacological therapy adjunct or alternative for medical disorders among personnel in occupations (e.g., aviation) where the side effects from medications are of great concern and could be disqualifying from those duties.
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Brownstein AH, Dembert ML.
Flight Medicine Department, Regional Medical Center, Clark Air Base, Luzon, Republic of the Philippines.
A 46-
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1986 Oct-Dec;30(4):334-40
Effect of yoga type breathing on heart rate and cardiac axis of normal subjects.
Mohan M, Saravanane C, Surange SG, Thombre DP, Chakrabarty AS.
Effect of inspiratory and expiratory phases of normal quiet breathing, deep breathing and savitri pranayam type breathing on heart rate and mean ventricular QRS axis was investigated in young, healthy untrained subjects. Pranayam type breathing produced significant cardioacceleration and increase in QRS axis during the inspiratory phase as compared to eupnea. On the other hand, expiratory effort during pranayam type breathing did not produce any significant change in heart rate or QRS axis. The changes in heart rate and QRS axis during the inspiratory and expiratory phases of pranayam type breathing were similar to the changes observed during the corresponding phases of deep breathing.
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Mohan M, Saravanane C, Surange SG, Thombre DP, Chakrabarty AS.
Effect of inspiratory and expiratory phases of normal quiet breathing, deep breathing and savitri pranayam type breathing on heart rate and mean ventricular QRS axis was investigated in young, healthy untrained subjects. Pranayam type breathing produced significant cardioacceleration and increase in QRS axis during the inspiratory phase as compared to eupnea. On the other hand, expiratory effort during pranayam type breathing did not produce any significant change in heart rate or QRS axis. The changes in heart rate and QRS axis during the inspiratory and expiratory phases of pranayam type breathing were similar to the changes observed during the corresponding phases of deep breathing.
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Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 1986 Apr-Jun;30(2):121-32
Effect of yoga on exercise tolerance in normal healthy volunteers.
Raju PS, Kumar KA, Reddy SS, Madhavi S, Gnanakumari K, Bhaskaracharyulu C, Reddy MV, Annapurna N, Reddy ME, Girijakumari D, et al.
Twelve normal healthy volunteers (6 males and 6 females) undergoing yoga training for 90 days were studied for the effect of yoga on exercise tolerance. Their ages ranged from 18 to 28 years. The volunteers were taught only Pranayama for the first 20 days and later on yogic asanas were added. Sub-maximal exercise tolerance test was done on a motorized treadmill by using Balke's modified protocol, initially, after 20 days (Phase-I) and after 90 days of yoga training (Phase-II). Pyruvate and lactate in venous blood and blood gases in capillary blood were estimated immediately before and after the exercise. Minute ventilation and oxygen consumption were estimated before and during the test. Post exercise blood lactate was elevated significantly during initial and Phase-I, but not in Phase-II. There was significant reduction of minute ventilation and oxygen consumption only in males in Phase-I and II at the time when the volunteers reached their 80% of the predicted heart rate. Female volunteers were able to go to higher loads of exercise in Phase-I and II.
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Raju PS, Kumar KA, Reddy SS, Madhavi S, Gnanakumari K, Bhaskaracharyulu C, Reddy MV, Annapurna N, Reddy ME, Girijakumari D, et al.
Twelve normal healthy volunteers (6 males and 6 females) undergoing yoga training for 90 days were studied for the effect of yoga on exercise tolerance. Their ages ranged from 18 to 28 years. The volunteers were taught only Pranayama for the first 20 days and later on yogic asanas were added. Sub-
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Thromb Haemost 1984 Apr 30;51(2):196-7
Influence of yoga on blood coagulation.
Chohan IS, Nayar HS, Thomas P, Geetha NS.
Yoga is known to induce beneficial effects on physiological, biochemical and mental functions in man. Its effects on blood coagulation are not known. 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. 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 haemoglobin and heamatocrit were raised at the end of the training. These findings suggest that yoga induces a state of blood hypocoagulability. The impact of yoga on prevention of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders is obvious.
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Chohan IS, Nayar HS, Thomas P, Geetha NS.
Yoga is known to induce beneficial effects on physiological, biochemical and mental functions in man. Its effects on blood coagulation are not known. 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. 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 haemoglobin and heamatocrit were raised at the end of the training. These findings suggest that yoga induces a state of blood hypocoagulability. The impact of yoga on prevention of cardiovascular and thrombotic disorders is obvious.
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Acta Cardiol 1984;39(3):203-8
Role of yoga in management of essential hypertension.
Sundar S, Agrawal SK, Singh VP, Bhattacharya SK, Udupa KN, Vaish SK.
Twenty five patients of essential hypertension were studied. Of these, 20 patients were not given any antihypertensive drug treatment (Group A); other 5 had to be put on antihypertensive drugs before including them in the study (Group B). These patients were demonstrated "Shavasana" and trained to perform it correctly. Shavasana therapy was continued for six months. There was a statistically significant fall in both mean systolic and diastolic pressure of both groups. Further, there was a significant reduction in doses of antihypertensive drugs, being given to patients of group B. In 65% patients of group A, blood pressure could be controlled with Shavasana only and no drug was needed in them at all. Blood pressure rose significantly to pre-Shavasana levels in patients who left practising yoga. Thus, with use of yoga (Shavasana) in therapy of hypertension, requirement of antihypertensive drugs may be significantly decreased and in some cases may be totally dispensed with and it may be an useful adjunct in treatment of hypertension.
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Sundar S, Agrawal SK, Singh VP, Bhattacharya SK, Udupa KN, Vaish SK.
Twenty five patients of essential hypertension were studied. Of these, 20 patients were not given any antihypertensive drug treatment (Group A); other 5 had to be put on antihypertensive drugs before including them in the study (Group B). These patients were demonstrated "Shavasana" and trained to perform it correctly. Shavasana therapy was continued for six months. There was a statistically significant fall in both mean systolic and diastolic pressure of both groups. Further, there was a significant reduction in doses of antihypertensive drugs, being given to patients of group B. In 65% patients of group A, blood pressure could be controlled with Shavasana only and no drug was needed in them at all. Blood pressure rose significantly to pre-
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Lancet 1975 Jul 19;2(7925):93-5
Randomised controlled trial of yoga and bio-feedback in management of hypertension.
Patel C, North WR.
34 hypertensive patients were assigned at random either to six weeks' treatment by yoga relaxation methods with bio-feedback or to placebo therapy (general relaxation). Both groups showed a reduction in blood-pressure (from 168/100 to 141/84 mm. Hg in the treated group and from 169/101 to 160/96 mm Hg in the control group). The difference was highly significant. The control group was then trained in yoga relaxation, and their blood-pressure fell to that of the other group (now used as controls).
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Patel C, North WR.
34 hypertensive patients were assigned at random either to six weeks' treatment by yoga relaxation methods with bio-
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Lancet 1975 Jan 11;1(7898):62-4
12-month follow-up of yoga and bio-feedback in the management of hypertension.
Patel C.
Twenty hypertensive patients treated by psychophysical relaxation exercises were followed up monthly for 12 months. Age and sex matched hypertensive controls were similarly followed up for 9 months. Statistically significant reductions in blood-pressure (BP) and antihypertensive drug requirements were satisfactorily maintained in the treatment group. Mere repetition of B.P. measurements and increased medical attention did not in themselves reduce B.P. significantly in control patients.
Patel C.
Twenty hypertensive patients treated by psychophysical relaxation exercises were followed up monthly for 12 months. Age and sex matched hypertensive controls were similarly followed up for 9 months. Statistically significant reductions in blood-
