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

Abstract

Context:Prāṇāyāma, the fourth limb of ancient aṣṭāṅga yoga consists of breathing techniques which produce various physiological and psychological effects. Though various types of prāṇāyāma and their effects have been scientifically established, Bhrāmarī prāṇāyāma (Bhr.P) is the one whose effects still remain understated.Aims:The present study was conducted to find the effects of Bhrāmarī prāṇāyāma practice on pulmonary function in healthy adolescents.Study Design:Randomized control trial.Subjects and Methods:90 healthy adolescents including 32 females and 58 males participated in the study. They were randomly divided into Bhr.P group (n = 45) and Control group (n = 45) by a simple lottery method. Pulmonary function test was done at baseline and at end of 12th week using RMS Helios spirometry. Prāṇāyāma group students were trained to do Bhr.P as 3 to 4 breaths/min for 5 min followed by 2 min rest. This was one cycle and in this way, they were instructed to do five cycles each time for 45 minutes five days in a week. Control group students were not allowed to practice any kind of exercise throughout the study period.Statistical Analysis:Student paired and unpaired T tests were used to analyse the intra group and intergroup differences using R statistical software.Results:A significant (P < 0.05) improvement in all pulmonary function parameters; FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF 25%-75% and PEFR was seen in the Bhr.P group than the control group adolescents. Slow vital capacity (SVC) and Maximum Voluntary Volume (MVV) also showed significant improvement in the prāṇāyāma group.Conclusions:Bhrāmarī Prāṇāyāma practice is effective in improving the pulmonary function among the adolescents which could be utilized for further clinical studies.

Analogy between classical Yoga/Zen breathing and modern clinical respiratory therapy

“…Regular Yoga practice increases vital capacity, timed vital capacity, maximum voluntary ventilation, breath-hold time, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and oxygen saturation, and thus ameliorates dyspnea [ 43 , 46 ]. Pranayama or, Yoga breathing has a beneficial effect on cardiovascular [ 47 ] and pulmonary [ 48 ] functions in healthy individuals. In addition, in a meta-analysis that included sixteen studies with a total of 1233 participants, three months of Yoga with timed breathing techniques were associated with a significant improvement in a six-minute walk distance [ 42 ].…”

Bhramari Pranayama – A simple lifestyle intervention to reduce heart rate, enhance the lung function and immunity

“…Evidence on yogic practices, specifically Bhramari Pranayama (humming bee breathing) indicates a possible solution for reducing HR, increasing HRV, and also enhancing lung function in healthy individuals [ 23 , 24 ]. Research on Bhramari Pranayama has demonstrated a significant reduction in HR, increase in HRV, and an increase in lung function – denoting increased relaxation response after 10–20 min of daily practice for at least 4–6 weeks [ [25] , [26] , [27] ]. Bhramari Pranayama incorporates many benefits of Pranayama via slow breathing since it involves slow inhalation followed by even longer exhalation while making the humming sound.…”

The Effect of Pranayamic Breathing as a Positive Psychology Exercise on Foreign Language Learning Anxiety and Test Anxiety Among Language Learners at Tertiary Level

“…Moreover, the immediate benefits of pranayama could be witnessed even in practices that take up to 5 or 6 min (Pramanik et al, 2009). The number of studies, which were carried out to analyze the effectiveness of pranayama and yoga in decreasing stress and anxiety levels as well as improving health conditions related to lung capacity, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, epilepsy, immune system disorders, diabetes, autonomic dysfunctions, muscular endurance, mental disorders, blood pressure, hypertension, and chronic headaches (Kharya et al, 2014;Butzer et al, 2016a;Hepburn and McMahon, 2017;Kumar and Pradhan, 2017;Kuppusamy et al, 2017) is highly abundant in the field of psychology and medicine. Although, the aforementioned studies highlighted the effects of pranayama on various physical and psychological disorders, no single research up to date has aimed at exploring the capacity of PB techniques in reducing FLLA or TA levels expect one study probing the impact of PB on TA (Nemati, 2013).…”