Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review

Trataka kriya (TK) is one of the leading practices of the six cleansing techniques (shatkarma) of Hathayaga. It involves steady gazing at a small point until tears come out. The objectives of this review are to systematically collect the traditional references of TK and analyze the latest scientific...

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Main Authors: Palash Pramanik, Sridip Chatterjee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Yoga-Mimamsa
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ym.ym_67_24
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author Palash Pramanik
Sridip Chatterjee
author_facet Palash Pramanik
Sridip Chatterjee
author_sort Palash Pramanik
collection DOAJ
description Trataka kriya (TK) is one of the leading practices of the six cleansing techniques (shatkarma) of Hathayaga. It involves steady gazing at a small point until tears come out. The objectives of this review are to systematically collect the traditional references of TK and analyze the latest scientific evidences that highlight its immediate- and long-term physiological and therapeutic effects. To fulfill the purpose of the study, a rigorous advanced search was conducted in June 2024 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. In addition, Yoga Mimamsa, a peer-reviewed journal, was searched manually to obtain the related literature. Randomized controlled trials, pre-post study designs, self-as-control studies, and repeated measures studies published in the English language from January 2000 to May 2024, using trataka as the intervention, were considered in this study. Then, we extracted the data from each study into a standardized population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study table. Using the PRISMA guidelines, 16 studies were included in this review based on inclusion criteria. Of these, nine studies were predominantly on the general healthy population, and the remaining seven studies were on patients with ophthalmic disorders. However, TK is found beneficial in improving cognitive performance, heart rhythm, emotional control, and mental relaxation. It is also effective for eye health. The therapeutic values of the TK have not yet been scientifically investigated to the fullest extent. For further progress, substantial research is needed to validate the findings and to ascertain the long-term effects of trataka on health and disease.
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spelling doaj-art-8aa29853829341deadd4194bca19a2872025-01-16T08:54:49ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsYoga-Mimamsa0044-05072394-24872024-12-0156211712810.4103/ym.ym_67_24Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive reviewPalash PramanikSridip ChatterjeeTrataka kriya (TK) is one of the leading practices of the six cleansing techniques (shatkarma) of Hathayaga. It involves steady gazing at a small point until tears come out. The objectives of this review are to systematically collect the traditional references of TK and analyze the latest scientific evidences that highlight its immediate- and long-term physiological and therapeutic effects. To fulfill the purpose of the study, a rigorous advanced search was conducted in June 2024 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. In addition, Yoga Mimamsa, a peer-reviewed journal, was searched manually to obtain the related literature. Randomized controlled trials, pre-post study designs, self-as-control studies, and repeated measures studies published in the English language from January 2000 to May 2024, using trataka as the intervention, were considered in this study. Then, we extracted the data from each study into a standardized population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study table. Using the PRISMA guidelines, 16 studies were included in this review based on inclusion criteria. Of these, nine studies were predominantly on the general healthy population, and the remaining seven studies were on patients with ophthalmic disorders. However, TK is found beneficial in improving cognitive performance, heart rhythm, emotional control, and mental relaxation. It is also effective for eye health. The therapeutic values of the TK have not yet been scientifically investigated to the fullest extent. For further progress, substantial research is needed to validate the findings and to ascertain the long-term effects of trataka on health and disease.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ym.ym_67_24comprehensive reviewhatha yogapsychophysiological healthquality of lifetrataka kriya
spellingShingle Palash Pramanik
Sridip Chatterjee
Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review
Yoga-Mimamsa
comprehensive review
hatha yoga
psychophysiological health
quality of life
trataka kriya
title Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review
title_full Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review
title_fullStr Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review
title_full_unstemmed Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review
title_short Tradition and science of Trataka kriya: A comprehensive review
title_sort tradition and science of trataka kriya a comprehensive review
topic comprehensive review
hatha yoga
psychophysiological health
quality of life
trataka kriya
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ym.ym_67_24
work_keys_str_mv AT palashpramanik traditionandscienceoftratakakriyaacomprehensivereview
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