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A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study of High-Frequency Yoga Breathing Compared to Breath Awareness
Medical science monitor basic research
Short Title: Med.Sci.Monit.Basic Res.
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: Nov 30, 2015
Pages: 58 - 66
Sources ID: 30966
Notes: LR: 20170220; JID: 101597444; 0 (Oxyhemoglobins); 2016/06/29 06:00 [entrez]; 2016/06/29 06:00 [pubmed]; 2017/02/18 06:00 [medline]; epublish
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
BACKGROUND High-frequency yoga breathing (breath rate of 2.0 Hz) has been associated with changes in oxy-hemoglobin in the prefrontal region of the brain. The present study assessed the effects of high-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB) at 1.0 Hz on frontal oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) and deoxy-hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb). MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty healthy male participants were recruited for the study. The experimental group consisted of 20 participants 23-40 years old (group mean +/-S.D., 26.4+/-4.7 years) with at least 3 months of experience performing HFYB (group mean +/-S.D., 16.3+/-9.8 months). The control group consisted of 20 participants ages 23-38 years (group mean age +/- S.D., 27.4+/-4.1 years), who were seated quietly for the same duration and their average experience of yoga practice was (+/-S.D.) 4.3+/-2.7 months. Each participant in the experimental group was assessed at 2 sessions (HFYB and breath awareness [BAW]) on alternate days. Hemodynamic changes were assessed using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy sensor placed over the forehead. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analyses of variance followed by post hoc Bonferroni adjustment. RESULTS A significant reduction was observed in oxy-Hb during and after HFYB on the left and right sides compared to values before. We also found a significant reduction in deoxy-Hb during and after the quiet sitting control session compared to pre-session values on left and right sides. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in oxy-Hb during and after HFYB suggests that there was no frontal activation during HFYB when practiced at the rate of 1.0 Hz.