Effect of Kapalbhati on Blood Pressure in Naive

Background and Objectives: Kapalbhati is among one of the cleansing act (shatkarma) in yogic philosophy. It is highly recommended for those who have to do great deal of study and need a clean, clear mind. This study was conducted among medical students at Nepalgunj medical college, Nepalgunj, Nepal.Material and Methods: This analytical study was conducted among 100 medical students of Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepalgunj, Nepal who gave consent and performed Kapalbhati correctly were included in the study. SBP and DBP were the cardiac parameters taken. Those parameters were taken before, immediately, after 1 minute, 2 minutes and 3 minutes of Pranayama. The data were entered in SPSS and Statistical analysis was done using version 23.Results: As in usual exercises, SBP and DBP increases significantly immediately after Kapalbhati session when compared with the value before exercises. The basal (pre-Kapalbhati) mean SBP and DBP were 125.76 ± 7.36 and 82.92 ± 5.75 which increases up to 143.60 ± 11.18 and 90.33 ± 7.90 respectively immediately after exercises and fall after 3 minutes of exercises value being 127.05 ± 10.93 and 81.38 ± 5.38 respectively.Conclusion: There is significant rise between Pre-value and post-value (immediate) of all parameters and significant fall of all parameters if compared between post-value and after 3 minute.

Kapalbhati changes cardiovascular parameters

Background and Objectives: Kapalbhati is among one of the cleansing act (shatkarma) in yogic philosophy. It is one of the popular Pranayama which has several benefits. It is highly recommended for those who have to do great deal of study and need a clean, clear mind. This study was conducted among nursing students at Janaki medical college, Janakpur, Nepal.Material and Methods: This analytical study was conducted among PCL Nursing students of Janaki Medical College, Janakpurdham, Nepal. Total 40 nursing student who gave consent and performed Kapalbhati correctly were included in the study. A detailed demographic profile with a structured questionnaire and observational checklist was filled for data collection. HR, SBP, DBP were the cardiac parameters taken. Those parameters were taken before, during, immediately after and after 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes and 5 minutes Pranayama. The data were entered in SPSS and Statistical analysis was done using version 20.Results: As in usual exercises, the HR, SBP and DBP increases significantly during Kapalbhati session but immediate post effect was surprisingly significantly fall in those parameters when compared with the value during exercises. The basal (pre-Kapalbhati) mean HR, SBP and DBP were 88.25 ± 9.02, 111.43 ± 11.28 and 73.9 ± 7.70 which increases upto 133.58 ± 35.70, 89.63 ± 23.31 and 118.55 ± 19.08 respectively during exercises and fall immediately after exercises value being 114.48 ± 21.94, 76.43 ± 15.34 and 88.6 ± 17.25 respectively.Conclusion: There is no significant difference between pre and post value of HR, SBP and DBP as in other study. There is significant rise between Pre-value and during-value of all parameters and significant fall of all parameters if compared between during-value and post-value.

Effect of Kapalbhati Pranayama on Body Mass Index and Abdominal Skinfold Thickness.

A total of 60 overweight resident doctors were recruited in this study. The participants were divided into study and control groups, each group containing 30 subjects of both sexes. The study group was asked to perform Kapalbhati pranayama for 8 weeks. Body mass index and abdominal skinfold thickness were assessed in both the groups. Paired t- test was applied for statistical analysis and p-value <0.05 was considered the level of significance. In study group, body mass index and abdominal skinfold thickness decreased significantly as compared to that of control group. The results of this study show that Kapalbhati has reducing impact on Body Mass Index and Abdominal Skinfold Thickness in overweight individuals.

Effect of selected breathing techniques on respiratory rate and breath holding time in healthy adults.

Background and Objective: Rapid industrialization, environmental pollution and overcrowding gradually deteriorate the ventilatory ability or functions of human beings. This requires special and specific breathing techniques to transcend the limits of our physical and mental abilities experienced in everyday life. Hence, in the present study, the beneficial effect of pranayama with reference to respiratory rate and breath holding time was studied. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the department of Physiology, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai after the institutional ethical clearance and written consent from each participant. The participants were divided into control and study groups with 45 members each of both the sexes at the age group of 20±2 years. The study group was asked to perform Kapalbhati, Anulom Vilom, Bhramari and Udgeeth pranayama. The duration of the study was eight weeks. The respiratory rate and breath holding time in both the groups were recorded and analysed for statistical significance using students ‘t’ test and p<0.05 was considered the level of significance. Result: In study group, the respiratory rate was decreased significantltly (p=0.000) whereas the breath holding time was increased significantly (p=0.000) when compared to that of control group. Discussion and Conclusion: Pranayama increases the overall capacity of lungs and gradually improves the ventilatory functioning of lungs. Due to proper working of these organs, vital energy flows to maintain the normal homeostasis of the body and thus it helps for prevention, control and rehabilitation of many respiratory diseases.