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Mentally challenged individuals are known to have slower speed of reaction. As a previous study has shown immediate improvement in reaction time (RT) following mukha bhastrika, a bellows type of pranayama, we planned to study the effect of this pranayama in mentally challenged adolescents. 34 mentally challenged adolescents (15.1±0.806 y) studying in a school for Special Needs were recruited as they have been receiving yoga training once a week for more than 3 years. Exclusion criteria were inability to either perform mukha bhastrika or to understand procedure for testing RT. Visual (VRT) and auditory reaction time (ART) was measured using RT apparatus before and after nine rounds of mukha bhastrika and a control period of ten minutes of normal activities to rule out any test-retest practice effect. Analysis of non-intervention period values showed that the reliability in terms of reproducibility of the observation for both VRT (r=0.87) and ART (r=0.95) was excellent. Mukha bhastrika produced an immediate and significant decrease in both VRT and ART. There was a statistically significant decrease in VRT (P<0.0001) from 296.15 ms±13.49 to 263.59 ms±12.53 and ART (P<0.0001) from 247.88 ms±14.33 to 217.35 ms±11.36 following mukha bhastrika. Decrease in RT signifies improved central neuronal processing ability. This may be due to greater arousal and faster rate of information processing, improved concentration and/or ability to ignore or inhibit extraneous stimuli. Mukha bhastrika may be altering afferent inputs from abdominal and thoracic regions, in turn modulating activity at ascending reticular activating system and thalamo-cortical levels. It is suggested that yogic breathing techniques like mukha bhastrika be used as an effective means of improving neuromuscular abilities in special children.
<b>Aim:</b> This pilot study was done to evaluate the immediate effect of Sukha Pranayama, a slow and deep breathing technique on maternal and fetal cardiovascular parameters.<b>Subjects and Methods:</b> Single session pre-post comparison was done for 10 min of Sukha Pranayama in 12 pregnant women in their 3<sup>rd</sup> trimester. The study participants were guided to breathe in and out in a slow and regular manner for a count of 4 s each. Maternal cardiovascular parameters, namely mean heart rate (MHR), systolic pressure (SP), and diastolic pressure (DP), were measured before and after the session and rate-pressure product (RPP) derived with the formulae. Fetal heart rate (FHR) was derived from the nonstress test tracing.
<b>Results:</b> SP, MHR, FHR, and RPP reduced significantly after single session of Sukha Pranayama. The mothers reported that they felt more relaxed and also sensed active fetal movement while performing the pranayama.
<b>Discussion:</b> Reduction in maternal cardiovascular parameters may be attributed to reduced sympathetic activity coupled with enhanced vagal parasympathetic tone. Reduction in RPP signifies reduced myocardial oxygen consumption and load on the heart as evidenced by previous studies. These changes in cardiac autonomic status may enhance placental circulation, leading to healthier fetal development.
<b>Conclusion:</b> The present study reiterates the importance of yoga for the psychosomatic health of maternal-fetal unit as an add-on relaxation technique. We plan to develop this pilot study into a full-fledged evaluation of maternal and fetal wellbeing through yoga.