E-ISSN 2231-3206 | ISSN 2320-4672
 

Original Research

Online Publishing Date:
01 / 10 / 2021

 


Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study

Pulkit Mutreja, Bhawana Thapa, Saumen Gupta.


Abstract
Background: Practice of Pranayama and “swara” have been found to affect cardiovascular, respiratory, and autonomic functions. The regulation of autonomic functions in a positive direction helps reduce anxiety and stress. Studies have suggested that right and left nostril breathing produce specific autonomic changes.

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to find the relationship between right unilateral nostril breathing (RUNB) and sympathetic arousal and that between left unilateral nostril breathing (LUNB) and parasympathetic arousal.

Materials and Methods: This is a randomized parallel-group study. Fifty consenting students were chosen by simple random sampling technique and divided into two groups of 25 each, randomly. One group was made to practice RUNB and the other, LUNB for ten minutes daily for 2 months. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, heart rate (HR), and respiratory rates were measured before and after the intervention. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Comparisons were made by conducting a repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results: The RUNB intervention contributed statistically significant changes in SBP and HR after 2-month practice. LUNB did not result in statistically significant changes in the studied parameters.

Conclusions: RUNB was found to have significant sympathetic arousal but LUNB could not be linked to parasympathetic arousal.

Key words: Right Unilateral Nostril Breathing; Left Unilateral Nostril Breathing; Sympathovagal Shift


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Mutreja P, Thapa B, Gupta S. Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2022; 12(4): 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021


Web Style

Mutreja P, Thapa B, Gupta S. Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=118464 [Access: March 14, 2024]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Mutreja P, Thapa B, Gupta S. Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2022; 12(4): 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Mutreja P, Thapa B, Gupta S. Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2022), [cited March 14, 2024]; 12(4): 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021



Harvard Style

Mutreja, P., Thapa, . B. & Gupta, . S. (2022) Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 12 (4), 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021



Turabian Style

Mutreja, Pulkit, Bhawana Thapa, and Saumen Gupta. 2022. Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 12 (4), 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021



Chicago Style

Mutreja, Pulkit, Bhawana Thapa, and Saumen Gupta. "Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 12 (2022), 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Mutreja, Pulkit, Bhawana Thapa, and Saumen Gupta. "Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 12.4 (2022), 410-414. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Mutreja, P., Thapa, . B. & Gupta, . S. (2022) Effect of yoga (unilateral nostril breathing) on autonomic nervous system activity in medical students – A randomized parallel group study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 12 (4), 410-414. doi:10.5455/njppp.2022.12.08307202116092021