This paper was presented at the
National Seminar on
Indian Psychology: Theories and Models
SVYASA, Bangalore,
December 26 - 28, 2007
 

Comparative study of various breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation on cases of bronchial asthma with mild to moderate severity

Manjari Saxena, Tarun Saxena, Asem Jayanti & Lara Sharma — M.D.S. University, Ajmer

Objectives

This is a comparative study of various breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation to assess the effects (subjective and objective) in cases of bronchial asthma with mild to moderate severity.

Methods

50 cases of bronchial asthma (FEV₁ > 70%) were studied for 12 weeks. The subjective symptoms, objective assessment in the form of chest X-ray PA View, spirometry and PEFR was done in each case at the beginning and after 12 weeks. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, group A & B.

Group A was treated with breathing exercises (pranayama) (omkara chanting, brahmri chanting, anuloma- viloma, deep inspiratory breathing etc). Patients were asked to perform chanting at high pitch with maximum and prolonged expiratory effort as compared to normal chanting, 15 minutes twice daily for 12 weeks.

Group B was treated with meditation 15 minutes twice daily for 12 weeks.

Results

After 12 weeks group A had significant improvement in symptoms, FEV₁ & PEFR as compared to group B.

Conclusion

Breathing exercises (pranayama) improves respiratory capacity, decreased sensitivity of lungs to various stimuli and is helpful as primary therapy / adjuvant in cases of bronchial asthma with mild to moderate severity.

Email the author, Dr. Manjari Saxena, at mhrcajmer@gmail.com