Effect of Trataka (A Yogic Cleansing Technique) on Post-Covid Cognitive Impairments in Elders

Background: People who have survived COVID-19 frequently complain of cognitive dysfunction, which has been described as brain fog. Early reports describing a dysexecutive syndrome after COVID-19 and has considerable implications for occupational, psychological, and functional outcomes. It is well known that elders may be particularly susceptible to cognitive impairment after critical illness. Trāṭaka (a yogīc cleansing technique) is one of the Yogā practices which is considered to improve cognitive functions. The objective of this study was to determine whether Trāṭaka practice enhances the cognitive functions of the post covid elderly subjects. Material and Methods: Thirty elders who had enrolled in a thirty days Trāṭaka practice program. Their age ranged between 60 and 80 years (group average ±S.D., 68.5±6.3 years). Those who have any chronic illness and mental illness, and those who are not willing to participate were excluded. Trāṭaka intervention is given for 30 days, 1hour/day. At baseline and following thirty days, all participants completed DLST and SLCT. Results: Trāṭaka intervention showed significant change in DLST scores, increase (P-value< 0.000) in total attempted score, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in net score, significant reduction in wrongly attempted score (P-value<0.000). Significant change in SLCT scores, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in total attempted score, Similarly, significant increase (P-value<.000) in net score, significant reduction in wrongly attempted score (P-value<0.000). Conclusion: The thirty days Trāṭaka intervention was successful in enhancing the cognitive functions among post-covid elders

Immediate effect of single session Mula Banda practice on cognitive functions among adolescents

Background: Adolescence is a critical period of neurobiological processes that underlie higher cognitive functions and social and emotional behaviour; cognitive functions are important skills for academic performance. Today’s adolescents are struggling to enhance their cognitive abilities due to various new demands and options. There is also an increased academic stress & peer pressure to succeed in school, partly due to increased competition and also due to a diverse range of options available. Techniques to improve these skills are not taught either in education courses. Any practice which can improve these skills will be of value in schools, universities, and workplaces. The objective of the study was to determine whether single session of Mula Banda could enhance the cognitive functions. Material & Methods: 30 adolescents who had enrolled for the single session Mula Banda intervention. Their ages ranged between 12 to 18 years (group average ±S.D., 14.4±1.3 years; both genders). Those who have eye problem, neurological problems and mental illness, and those who are not willing to participate were excluded. Mula Banda was given for 10 minutes in a single session.  Before and after the session, all participants completed DLST, SLCT and DVT tests. Result:  single session Mula Banda practice showed significant change in DLST scores, increase (P-value< 0.000) in total attempted score, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in net score, significant reduction in wrongly attempted score (P-value<0.000). Significant change in SLCT scores, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in total attempted score, similarly, significant increase (P-value<.000) in net score, significant reduction in wrongly attempted score (P-value<0.000). Also, significant change in DVT scores, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in total time taken, similarly, significant reduction (P-value<.000) in errors. Conclusion: findings suggest that even a single session Mula Banda practice could enhance the cognitive function among adolescents

Effect of Cyclic Meditation on selected Psychological Variables among Corporate Employees

Background: Today’s competitive work environment has created enormous amount of stress on corporate employees, the impact of this as seen on impaired cognitive Functions and compromised mental health, there is a connection between cognition impairment with occupational stress. Mind-body techniques such as cyclic meditation (CM) have shown to improve cognitive functions, reduce stress and enhancing psychological wellbeing. The objective of this study was to determine whether cyclic meditation enhances the cognitive functions. Material and Methods: Thirty-five participants who had enrolled in a fifteen days cyclic meditation program. Their ages ranged between 20 and 60 years (group average ±S.D. 38.4±9.3 years, both genders). Those who have any chronic illness and mental illness, and those who are not willing to participate were excluded. Cyclic meditation is given for 15 days, 40 min./day. At baseline and following fifteen days, all participants completed DLST and SLCT. Results: cyclic meditation program showed significant change in DLST scores, increase (P-value< 0.001) in total attempted score, significant increase (P-value<0.001) in net score. Significant change in SLCT scores, significant increase (P-value<0.001) in total attempted score, similarly, significant increase (P-value<0.001) in net score, but there was no reduction in wrong attempt scores on both the tests (P-value >0.05). Conclusions: The fifteen days of cyclic meditation practice was successful in enhancing the cognitive function among corporate employees

The Impact of Short-term Integrated Yoga practice on Psychological wellbeing in special educators of individual with special needs

Background: Special educators face unprecedented work conditions and expectations that affect their psychological wellbeing and professional outcome as well. This study examines the growing evidence that even a short-term Integrated yoga practice enhance psychological wellbeing among special educators by reducing their stress, anxiety and depression levels. Materials and Methods: Special educators were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria (n=20) age ranging between 25-50 years (Mean35±6.3) for a single group interventional pre-post study design: Integrated yoga module (included postures, breathing practices, relaxation and mediation) was given for a period of 8 weeks. The subjects were assessed on day 1 pre and post intervention on day 60 on perceived stress scale (PSS), Beck’s depression inventory (BDI-II) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: After 8 weeks of Integrated yoga practice there was asignificant reduction in anxiety scores (P < 0.000), depression scores (P < 0.000) and perceived stress levels (P < 0.000) respectively compared to baseline by wilcoxon signed rank test. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that even a short-term integrated yoga intervention that can enhance psychological wellbeing of the special educators

Yoga therapy for Metabolic Syndrome - A Review

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of risk factors that increase the chance of developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Lifestyle changes like losing weight, exercise, and dietary changes can help prevent or reverse metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is now considered as a serious public health problem. It is estimated that 20 - 25% of the world adult population is suffering from this disorder. Yet most recommendations currently focus on diet and exercise and do not consider stress reduction strategies. Yoga is a effective tool for stress management, that may reduce blood pressure (BP) increase parasympathetic activation. In this review, we examined the basic principles of Pancha Kosha (five sheaths of human existence) concept from an Indian scripture Taittiriya Upanishad and the pathophysiology of a disease from the Yogic approach of Yoga Vasistha’s Adhi (originated from mind) and Vyadhi (ailment/disease) concept and focused on Yoga and HPA axis. Based on these concepts, a Yoga module is recommended as a remedial therapy to manage Metabolic Syndrome

Development and validation of a Yoga module for Primary dysmenorrhoea

Menstrual pain without organic pathology is considered to be primary dysmenorrhoea. Dysmenorrhoea refers to the occurrence of painful menstrual cramps of uterine origin. It is a common gynaecological condition with considerable morbidity affecting majority of the adolescent girls, yet which is under diagnosed and under treated. Yoga can be considered as a simple and safe management tool for Primary Dysmenorrhoea. Studies have reported the beneficial role of Yoga in alleviating the symptoms of Primary dysmenorrhoea; however, a validated Yoga module for Primary dysmenorrhoea is unavailable. This study developed and validated an integrated Yoga module (IYM) for Primary dysmenorrhoea. Methods: The IYM was prepared after a thorough review of classical Yoga texts and previous findings. Twenty experienced Yoga experts, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, were selected validating the content of the IYM. A total of 38 practices were included in the IYM, and each practice was discussed and rated as (i) not essential, (ii) useful but not essential, and (iii) essential; the content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated using Lawshe’s formula. Results: Data analysis revealed that of the 38 IYM practices, 18 exhibited significant content validity (cut-off value: 0.42, as calculated by applying Lawshe’s formula for the CVR). Conclusion: The IYM is valid for Primary dysmenorrhoea, with good content validity. However, future studies must determine the feasibility and efficacy of the developed module

To develop and validate an Integrated Yoga Module for Tennis Players

Tennis athletes need a combination of low-intensity and high-intensity aerobic and anaerobic capabilities. Sports related fatigue, injury, stress and anxiety reduce the sports performance of a player. The main objective of any sports training should be to refrain from the onset of fatigue, stress and anxiety during competition and training. Integrated Yoga has been researched extensively. It shows that yoga helps improve psychophysiological components such as aerobic and anaerobic capacities, cardiovascular fitness, while reducing fatigue, competitive stress and anxiety. Yoga also improves relaxation and mindfulness, hence, improving performance. However, a valid yoga module is unavailable for tennis sports athletes. IYM for tennis players is developed based on ancient yogic text and previous research evidence. The yoga module was presented to 30 SMEs to evaluate and validate a total number of 82 practices included in the proposed module based on a three-point scale. The content validity has been calculated by applying Lawshe’s formula of content validity ratio (CVR). According to Lawshe’s formula, 0.33 is the critical value of CVR required for validation with 30 SMEs. Data analysis shows that out of 82 yogic practices, 41 yogic practices showed significant content validity (p<0.05). Results show that, among the 82 practices, 41 were found to be essential (CVR ≥0.33) and 41 were found to be not essential (CVR <0.33). However, the feasibility and efficacy of the Integrated Yoga Module for tennis players need to be determined by future studies

The Effect of 3-week’s Yoga therapy program on clinical outcomes in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Background: Parkinson's disease, according to the WHO, has a variety of non-motor side effects in addition to its motor symptoms (cognitive impairment, mental health disorders, pain, and other sensory disturbances). The progression of these symptoms and their implications affects functioning and quality of life greatly, resulting in high rates of impairment and care demands, as well as stress and strain on caregivers. Material & Methods: A total of 31 PD patients were included in this investigation. The Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy was applied to all patients who met the inclusion criteria (IAYT). Parameters were taken twice, once on the day of admission and other when they were leaving the residence on completion of the program. Data was evaluated using a pre-test and post-test design. Dependent Variable: Pulse rate, Respiratory rate, Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure, Breath Holding time and BMI. Results: A total of 31 subjects participated in the study 31 subjects completed the study. After 21 days of integrated Yoga therapy program, it showed that significant reduction in (P< 0.05) in Systolic and diastolic Blood pressure, respiratory rate and significant improvement is seen in breath holding time (BHT), but there were no changes in BMI (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The three-week yoga programmed was able to dramatically enhance clinical results in Parkinson's disease and self-reported medication reduction without aggravating symptoms

To develop and validate an Integrated Yoga Module for Basketball Players

Basketball sport required high-level of fitness-related components, heart rate, blood lactate, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power and psychological demands from an athlete. From scientific evidence it has been observed that yoga helps in develop the entire psycho physiological component without giving physical stress to the body if it is practiced in proper manner. However, a validated Yoga module for basketball player is unavailable. The IYM for basketball players is prepared after doing detailed and systematic review of classical and contemporary yogic texts and earlier research evidence. The content validity of IYM for basketball players was presented to SMEs and evaluated by an experienced panel comprised of 30 yoga experts who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Data analysis exhibited that out of 85 yogic practices, 45 yogic practices showed substantial content validity. According to lawshe’s method, 0.33 is the critical value of CVR (minimum CVR value) required for validation with 30 SMEs. The current study proposes that the IYM for Basketball players is valid with good content validity. However, future research studies must determine the efficacy and feasibility of the developed module