Cerebrovascular hemodynamics during pranayama techniques.

BACKGROUND

Pranayama techniques are known to produce variable physiological effects on the body. We evaluated the effect of the two commonly practiced Pranayama techniques on cerebral hemodynamics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen healthy male volunteers, trained in Yoga and Pranayama, were included in the study. Mean age was 24 years (range 22-32 years). Study participants performed 2 Pranayamas in 2 different orders. Order 1 ( = 7) performed Bhastrika (bellows breaths) followed by Kumbhaka (breath retention) while order 2 ( = 8) performed Kumbhaka followed by Bhastrika. Both breathing techniques were performed for 1 min each. Continuous transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring was performed during the breathing techniques. TCD parameters that were recorded included peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean flow velocity (MFV), and pulsatility index (PI) of the right middle cerebral artery at baseline, 15, 30, 45, and 60 s.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in EDV (3.67 ± 6.48; < 0.001) and MFV (22.00 ± 7.30; < 0.001) with a significant increase in PI (2.43 ± 0.76; < 0.001) were observed during Bhastrika. On the contrary, a significant increase in PSV (65.27 ± 13.75; < 0.001), EDV (28.67 ± 12.03; < 0.001), and MFV (43.67 ± 12.85; < 0.001) with a significant reduction in PI (0.89 ± 0.28; < 0.01) was observed only during Kumbhaka.

CONCLUSION

Bhastrika and Kumbhaka practices of Pranayama produce considerable and opposing effects on cerebral hemodynamic parameters. Our findings may play a potential role in designing the Pranayama techniques according to patients' requirements.