Effect of Bhramari Pranayama on response inhibition: Evidence from the stop signal task

Abstract

Context:Response inhibition is a key executive control processes. An inability to inhibit inappropriate actions has been linked to a large range of neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders.Aims:Examine the effect of Bhramari Pranayama (Bhpr) on response inhibition in healthy individuals.Settings and Design:Thirty-one male students age ranged from 19-31 years from a residential Yoga University, Bengaluru, India were recruited for this study. We used a randomized self as control within-subjects design. Participants were counterbalanced randomly into two different experimental conditions (Bhpr and deep breathing (DB)).Materials and Methods:Response inhibition has been measured using a standard tool Stop Signal Task (SST). Each session lasted for 50 min with 10 min for the experimental conditions, preceded and followed by 20 min of assessment. The primary outcome measure was stop signal reaction time (SSRT), an estimate of the subject's capacity for inhibiting prepotent motor responses. Additional measures of interest were the probability of responding on stop signal trials, P (r | s) and mean RT to go stimuli.Results:The mean probability of responding on stop signal trials (P (r | s)) during Bhpr and DB are close to 50%, indicating reliable SSRT. Paired sample t-tests showed a significant decrease (P = 0.024) in SSRT after Bhpr session, while the DB group did not show any significant change. Further, t-tests show that the go RT increased significantly after Bhpr (P = 0.007) and no other changes/differences were observed.Conclusions:Bhpr enhanced response inhibition and cognitive control in nonclinical participants.

Effects of Bhramari Pranayama on health – A systematic review

“…Most of the studies were experimental studies and resembled case control but did not have clear control group. 28 The non response rate was not measurable in most of the studies. As the control group is not clear, the case and control comparison could not be analyzed and understood with clarity.…”

“…The included papers are described in detail. ( Table 1 ) Out of the included studies, 2 studies done on the cold pressor, 24 , 25 one on heart rate and BP, 26 one study on EEG changes, 27 each on the inhibitory response 28 and tinnitus condition. 29 Hence they were broadly categorized under pulmonary, cardiovascular, autonomous and others on the basis of their physiologic effects.…”

“…Enhanced inhibitory response and cognitive control was noted among the healthy individuals followed by 10 min of Bhr.P practice. 28 They have done the stop signal task as one of the important tool to assess the response inhibition in cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and psychopathology. They found improvement in SST compared with self control groups.…”

Effect of bhrāmarī Prāṇāyāma practice on pulmonary function in healthy adolescents: A randomized control study

“…[ 6 7 ] Immediately after the practice of Bhr.P, there is a reduction in heart rate, blood pressure[ 8 ] and improvement in the cognition in healthy subjects. [ 9 ] On the other hand, increased theta activity[ 10 ] and Paroxysmal Gamma wave[ 11 ] following the Bhr.P has been noted to induce positive thoughts and feeling of happiness. It can be used for managing tinnitus as a self-induced sound therapy.…”

Effect of Classical Hata Yoga Training On Executive Function in Healthy Adults

“…Previous studies on yoga techniques which consisted of sequence of yoga postures interspersed with relaxation techniques, found improvement in selective attention [27], and inhibition of the cortical region [28].Classical hata yoga requires focused effort in moving through the poses, controlling the body, and breathing at a steady rate, this focus on one's body and mind during the practices, breathing and meditation exercises are practiced to calm and focus the mind and develop greater self-awareness [29] high frequency yoga breathing practice (Kapalabhati) enhances blood flow to pre frontal cortex, [30] Pre-frontal cortex is associated with memory, attention, and EF [31,32]. Kapalabhati and Bhastrika Pranayama had influence on auditory working memory, and central neural processing and sensory-motor performance [33], Bhramari Pranayama may enhance inhibition response and cognitive control in healthy participants [34]. The present study is the first attempt to evaluate the effect of classical hata yoga training on healthy adults in a non-residential set up; present study suggests that classical hata yoga training could help to prevent the early cognitive decline.…”