Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)

Introduction:Pranayama is a crucial component of Yoga for preserving health, with established scientific evidence supporting the physiological changes from long-term practice. Bhramari Pranayama is particularly beneficial for restoring hormonal balance and treating conditions such as sleeplessness,...

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Main Authors: Nisha Garg, Srikanta Kumar Panda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Ayurveda
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/joa.joa_144_23
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author Nisha Garg
Srikanta Kumar Panda
author_facet Nisha Garg
Srikanta Kumar Panda
author_sort Nisha Garg
collection DOAJ
description Introduction:Pranayama is a crucial component of Yoga for preserving health, with established scientific evidence supporting the physiological changes from long-term practice. Bhramari Pranayama is particularly beneficial for restoring hormonal balance and treating conditions such as sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.Methods:This study enrolled 50 subjects suffering from Anidra (insomnia), who provided informed consent and were divided into two groups: Group A (Bhramari Pranayama) and Group B (sleep hygiene). A total of 23 subjects from each group completed the trial. Group A practiced Bhramari Pranayama for approximately 20–30 min daily, whereas Group B followed sleep hygiene practices. Serum cortisol levels and sleep quality (assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and a self-prepared questionnaire based on Ayurvedic symptoms of Anidra) were measured before and after the 2-month intervention.Results:The serum cortisol level significantly reduced in the Bhramari Pranayama group (P < 0.001). Statistical analysis using an unpaired t-test showed significant differences between both groups (P < 0.05). Sleep quality also improved significantly in the Bhramari Pranayama group across different prakriti (constitution) types.Conclusion:Two months of regular Bhramari Pranayama practice significantly improves sleep quality and reduces serum cortisol levels. These findings support incorporating Bhramari Pranayama into holistic treatment approaches for insomnia. Further research with larger populations and extended follow-up is warranted to substantiate these results and explore the long-term benefits of this practice.
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spelling doaj-art-600a249cffc74ebe9384703513345a982025-01-12T11:00:48ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Ayurveda2321-04352582-76932024-12-0118426126610.4103/joa.joa_144_23Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)Nisha GargSrikanta Kumar PandaIntroduction:Pranayama is a crucial component of Yoga for preserving health, with established scientific evidence supporting the physiological changes from long-term practice. Bhramari Pranayama is particularly beneficial for restoring hormonal balance and treating conditions such as sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.Methods:This study enrolled 50 subjects suffering from Anidra (insomnia), who provided informed consent and were divided into two groups: Group A (Bhramari Pranayama) and Group B (sleep hygiene). A total of 23 subjects from each group completed the trial. Group A practiced Bhramari Pranayama for approximately 20–30 min daily, whereas Group B followed sleep hygiene practices. Serum cortisol levels and sleep quality (assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire and a self-prepared questionnaire based on Ayurvedic symptoms of Anidra) were measured before and after the 2-month intervention.Results:The serum cortisol level significantly reduced in the Bhramari Pranayama group (P < 0.001). Statistical analysis using an unpaired t-test showed significant differences between both groups (P < 0.05). Sleep quality also improved significantly in the Bhramari Pranayama group across different prakriti (constitution) types.Conclusion:Two months of regular Bhramari Pranayama practice significantly improves sleep quality and reduces serum cortisol levels. These findings support incorporating Bhramari Pranayama into holistic treatment approaches for insomnia. Further research with larger populations and extended follow-up is warranted to substantiate these results and explore the long-term benefits of this practice.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/joa.joa_144_23anidrabhramari pranayamacortisolpranayamasleep quality
spellingShingle Nisha Garg
Srikanta Kumar Panda
Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)
Journal of Ayurveda
anidra
bhramari pranayama
cortisol
pranayama
sleep quality
title Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)
title_full Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)
title_fullStr Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)
title_full_unstemmed Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)
title_short Clinical Efficacy of Bhramari Pranayama on Serum Cortisol in Anidra (insomnia)
title_sort clinical efficacy of bhramari pranayama on serum cortisol in anidra insomnia
topic anidra
bhramari pranayama
cortisol
pranayama
sleep quality
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/joa.joa_144_23
work_keys_str_mv AT nishagarg clinicalefficacyofbhramaripranayamaonserumcortisolinanidrainsomnia
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