Effectiveness of Pranayama (Yogic Breathing Exercise) on Management of Somatosensory Tinnitus: A Single Case Study

Somatic or somatosensory tinnitus is a subtype of subjective tinnitus, in which tinnitus perception is caused by an alteration in somatosensory afference from the cervical spine or temporo-mandibular area which changes patient’s tinnitus perception in terms of loudness, pitch and localization. A 30-year-old female reported with the complaint of tinnitus, vertigo and reduced hearing sensitivity in the left ear for 7 months. Enduring low frequency annoying tinnitus flare ups with vertigo, vomiting and speech understanding difficulty every 48-72hours. Successive audiological investigations and THI score revealed mild sensorineural hearing loss in the left ear with grade 5 catastrophic handicap. Tinnitus retraining Therapy (TRT) along with pranayama (yogic exercise) was used as a treatment protocol. Nadi Shodhana (Alternate-Nostril Breath- one of the most efficient strategies for calming nerves and settling mind fluctuations) was practised twice daily and during the treatment sessions. Effectiveness of TRT combined with Yoga on a patient with severe tinnitus & accompanying issues was investigated. This treatment strategy proved to be highly effective in lowering tinnitus severity and reducing the accompanying issues with long term effectiveness. As a result, present study enlightens the possible success rate of this treatment protocol for somatosensory tinnitus and its impact on tinnitus recurrence. Key words: Somatosensory tinnitus, TMJ, Pranayama, TRT, Catastrophic handicap.

Feasibility trial of an integrated treatment “Activate for Life” for physical and mental well-being in older adults

This study describes the feasibility and patient satisfaction for an integrated treatment to address multiple health outcomes in a sample of older adults living in a low-income independent residence facility and their own homes in the community. Specifically, 30 older adults were offered the opportunity to participate in a feasibility study of different components of Activate for Life treatment targeting balance and physical strength (Otago Exercise Program), breathing retraining (Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing), and mental health (Behavioral Activation for Depression). Three treatment combinations were compared in a randomized repeated measures design to determine if adding components to the existing Otago program were feasible and if this affected patient satisfaction. Arm1: the Otago strength and balance program alone (n = 10); Arm 2: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing (n = 10); and Arm 3: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing + Behavioral Activation (we named this combination ‘Activate for Life’ n = 10). Dependent measures included recruitment rate, session completion characteristics, and satisfaction with the program. Overall, study and treatment components proved feasible, and participants reported high satisfaction with all 3 Arms.

Feasibility Trial of an Integrated Treatment "Activate for Life" for Physical and Mental Well-being in Older Adults

This paper describes feasibility and patient satisfaction for an integrated treatment to address multiple health outcomes in a sample of older adults living in a low-income independent residence facility and their own homes in the community. Specifically, 30 older adults were offered the opportunity to participate in a feasibility study of different components of Activate for Life treatment targeting balance and physical strength (Otago Exercise Program), breathing retraining (Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing), and mental health (Behavioral Activation for Depression). Three treatment combinations were compared in a randomized repeated measures design to determine if adding components to the existing Otago program were feasible and if this affected patient satisfaction. Arm1: the Otago strength and balance program alone (n = 10); Arm 2: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing (n = 10); and Arm 3: Otago + Gentle Yoga and Yogic Breathing + Behavioral Activation (we named this combination ‘Activate for Life’ n = 10). Dependent measures included recruitment rate, session completion characteristics, and satisfaction with the program. Overall, study and treatment components proved feasible, and participants reported high satisfaction with all 3 Arms.

Yogic breathing in hypobaric environment: breathing exercising and its effect on hypobaric hypoxemia and heart rate at 3,650-m elevation

High altitude sojourn is a risk factor for hypobaric hypoxemia and subsequent altitude sickness. The aim of this study was to analyze the ef-fect of new type of yogic breathing?Maheshwarananda’s new Modified Bhujangini Pranayama performed by active yoga practitioners?on the arterial haemoglobin saturation of oxygen (measured by the pulse oximetry - SpO2) and the heart rate compared to normal spontaneous resting breathing. A pilot prospective study was conducted in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3,650 m. We monitored SpO2 and pulse rate in 34 experienced yoga practitioners. Within the 3 measurement days at the altitude of 3,650 m, the mean value of SpO2 increased from 89.11± 4.78 to 93.26±4.44 (P<0.001) after the yogic breathing exercise. No significant changes were observed in pulse rate (P<0.230) measured before and after yogic breathing. The new Yogic breathing?Maheshwarananda’s Modified Bhujangini Pranayama?is increasing the arterial haemoglobin saturation compared to normal resting spontaneous breathing. The heart rate was not affected by this type of yogic breathing.

Immediate Impact of Yogic Breathing on Pulsatile Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a clear fluid bathing the central nervous system (CNS), undergoes pulsatile movements, and plays a critical role for the removal of waste products from the brain including amyloid beta, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. Regulation of CSF dynamics is critical for maintaining CNS health, and increased pulsatile CSF dynamics may alter brain's waste clearance due to increased mixing and diffusion. As such, understanding the mechanisms driving CSF movement, and interventions that influence its resultant removal of wastes from the brain is of high scientific and clinical impact. Since pulsatile CSF dynamics is sensitive and synchronous to respiratory movements, we are interested in identifying potential integrative therapies such as yogic breathing to regulate and enhance CSF dynamics, which has not been reported before. Here, we investigated the pre-intervention baseline data from our ongoing randomized controlled trial, and examined whether yogic breathing immediately impacts pulsatile CSF dynamics compared to spontaneous breathing. We utilized our previously established non-invasive real-time phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (RT-PCMRI) approach using a 3T MRI instrument, and computed and rigorously tested differences in CSF velocities (instantaneous, respiratory, cardiac 1st and 2nd harmonics) at the level of foramen magnum during spontaneous versus four yogic breathing patterns. In examinations of 18 healthy participants (eight females, ten males; mean age 34.9 ± 14 (SD) years; age range: 18-61 years), we discovered immediate increase in cranially-directed velocities of instantaneous-CSF 16% - 28% and respiratory-CSF 60% - 118% during yogic versus spontaneous breathing, with most statistically significant changes during deep abdominal breathing (28%, p=0.0008, and 118%, p=0.0001, respectively). Further, cardiac pulsation was the primary source of pulsatile CSF during all breathing conditions except during deep abdominal breathing, when there was a comparable contribution of respiratory and cardiac 1st harmonic power [0.59 ± 0.78], demonstrating respiration can be the primary regulator of CSF depending on individual differences in breath depth and location. Further work is needed to investigate the impact of sustained training yogic breathing on increased pulsatile CSF dynamics and brain waste clearance for CNS health.

Different Effects of Four Yogic Breathing Techniques on Mindfulness, Stress, and Well-being

Yogic breathing techniques are fundamental to the physical and mental practice of yoga. They are closely connected to meditation, which involves the observation of breath. There are many yogic techniques based on the active regulation of the breath. Breathing practices influence many processes in the body, e.g. heart rate variability, and the mind, e.g. relaxation and stress, through their impact on the autonomic nervous system. This study intended to investigate differential effects of four yogic breathing techniques: (1) <em>ujjayi</em>—relaxation through slowing down the breath, (2) paced breathing—enhancement of concentration by following a precise protocol of slowdown breathing, (3) <em>kapalabhati</em>—raising wakefulness by mild hyperventilation, and (4) alternate nostril breathing—balancing the autonomic nervous system by alternating breath between the two nostrils. This study was conducted on 36 participants, who learned each technique within two weeks of an eight-week program and practiced them daily. After each technique, mindfulness, perceived stress, and physical well-being were assessed based on questionnaires. Ujjayi breathing, showed a relaxing effect, reduced stress, increased peacefulness, and the feeling of being at ease/leisure. Paced breathing resulted in a greater awareness of inner experiences. Kapalabhati showed a significant increase in vitality and joy of life, and alternate nostril breathing showed no hypothesis-compliant changes. The findings of this study suggest several beneficial and differential effects of these breathing techniques; therefore, they could be employed as tools for self-regulation in therapeutic contexts.

The Influence of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga on Sleep Quality in Indian Adults: An Open Trial Pilot Study

Purpose Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is an advanced yogic breathing technique with a demonstrated impact on human physical and mental health. Even so, very few studies have observed its effect on sleep. This is the first study evaluating the impact of SKY as an intervention on sleep quality among Indian population. This study assessed both the immediate and prolonged effect of SKY on sleep quality. The secondary objective of the study was to evaluate the association between frequency of SKY practice and sleep quality. Methods This was a single arm open-trial study, which included 473 participants. All participants underwent a 3-day SKY workshop offered by the Art of Living, and were assessed for sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire, administered to the participants before the program (pre-intervention), immediately after the program (post-intervention), and at Day 40 (D40) after the program. Responses were grouped according to age, gender, and frequency of practice. The impact of the frequency of SKY practice on sleep quality was also investigated. Results The quality of sleep improved with SKY practice across the study population. Women recorded inferior quality of sleep at the beginning of the study, but experienced a greater improvement in sleep quality after the SKY practice, as compared to men. The younger population seemed to benefit over the long-term, while the older population had an immediate improvement in sleep quality, however, they were not able to sustain it. The effect size varied with the frequency of practice. Sleep quality improved markedly among those who practiced SKY daily, indicating an association between the frequency of SKY practice and its efficiency in improving sleep quality. Conclusion The results demonstrate the efficacy of SKY in improving sleep quality across populations, irrespective of gender or age. This is indicative of the beneficial role of SKY in treating psychological disorders such as insomnia. The effect varies with the frequency of practice, with more frequent practice yielding better quality of sleep.

Does breathing technique improve diastolic function of left ventricular?

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Diastolic heart failure (HF) is an important clinical disorder mainly seen in the elderly patients with hypertensive heart disease. Early recognition and appropriate therapy of diastolic dysfunction is advisable to prevent further progression of the illness. There is no specific therapy to improve diastolic function directly. Mechanisms by which yoga may improve cardiac function and reduce myocardial stress are speculated at this time. Purpose. The study’s purpose was to analyze the effects of full yogic breathing on diastolic function of left ventricular in patients with HF. Methods. One hundred and two patients with chronic HF (males, 62%; mean age, 68.2 ± 4.5 years) were randomly assigned to full yogic breathing training plus standard therapy (n = 48) or standard therapy alone (n = 54). Patients in both groups were assessed at baseline and 6 months after randomization. Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function has been performed by measurement of transmitral flow parameters including the early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling velocities, the E/A ratio, and the E deceleration time (DT) with conventional pulsed wave Doppler. The medial and lateral early diastolic mitral annular velocities, and the E/Ea ratio were also assessed by tissue Doppler imaging. Results. There were no significant differences in demographic and baseline characteristics between participants. By the end of the observation period significant diastolic function improvements were observed in yogic breathing group. E/A ratio (from 1.02 ± 0.9 to 1.13 ± 0.7; from 1.01 ± 0.7 to 1.08 ± 0.8) was increased, whereas E DT (from 238 ± 16 to 216 ± 17 ms; from 229 ± 20 to 221 ± 19 ms) and E/Ea ratio (from 9.87 ± 1.34 to 8.71 ± 0.79; from 9.77 ± 1.26 to 9.36 ± 0.68) were decreased in yogic breathing group compared with standard therapy alone group. Conclusion. Yoga breathing practice for 6 months showed a significant improvement in diastolic function of left ventricular.

Can Yogic Breathing Techniques Like Simha Kriya and Isha Kriya Regulate COVID-19-Related Stress?

The global impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is tremendous on human life, not only affecting the physical and mental health of population but also impacting the economic system of countries and individual itself. The present situation demands prompt response toward COVID-19 by equipping the humans with strategies to overcome the infection and stress associated with it. These strategies must not only be limited to preventive and therapeutic measures, but also aim at improving immunity and mental health. This can be achieved by yogic breathing techniques. In this perspective, we emphasize the importance of yogic breathing, Simha Kriya and Isha kriya, the simple yet effective breathing techniques.