Abstract

Background: First year medical students have reported a high level of perceived stress. Yogic breathing technique “Pranayama” is said to balance two limbs of autonomic nervous system and therefore advocated for stress reduction and prevention of related diseases. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Nadi st Shuddhi Pranayama on perceived stress and cardiovascular autonomic functions in 1 year medical students. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out in one of the tertiary care hospitals of Mumbai. A total of 60 subjects (age 18–22 years) practised Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama daily for 12 weeks under the supervision of certified yoga trainer. Following parameters were recorded before and after 12 weeks of training; perceived stress scale (PSS) score, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), DBP response to isometric handgrip (IHG) test.
Results: There was a significant decrease in PSS scores after intervention. A significant decrease was also seen in cardiovascular autonomic functions such as HR, SBP, DBP, and DBP response to IHG test. Conclusion: Regular practice of Nadi st Shuddhi Pranayama helps in reducing stress in 1 year medical students as evidenced by the corresponding decrease in cardiovascular autonomic parameters.