Effects of Pranayam Breathing on Respiratory Pressures and Sympathovagal Balance of Patients with Chronic Airflow Limitation and in Control Subjects
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2011, Vol 11, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Te objective of this study was to compare the effects of Pranayam breathing on respiratory muscle strength measured as maximum expiratory and inspiratory pressures (MEP and MIP) and relevant spirometry parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in control subjects, and on the sympatho-vagal balance in both the groups. Methods: Te research was performed in the Clinical Physiology Department, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman. Eleven patients (mean age 43.91 ± 20.56 yr; mean BMI 21.9 ± 5.5 kg/m2) and 6 controls (43.5 ± 14.6yr; 25.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) learnt and practised Pranayam. Teir respiratory and cardiovascular parameters were recorded. Teir respiratory “well being†was noted as a visual analogue score (VAS). Te respiratory parameters were expressed as a percentage change of predicted values. Results: Patients’ respiratory parameters were signifcantly lower than those of controls. Patients’ maximum respiratory pressures did not improve after Pranayam; however, they showed signifcant improvement in VAS 5.4 ± 2.4 to 7.2 ± 1.2 (P < 0.03). Controls showed signifcant increase in MIP after Pranayam exercises. Tere were no changes in other spirometry indices. Controls showed signifcant increase in their systolic blood pressure and stroke index after exercise. Te vago-sympathetic balance shifted towards sympathetic in both patients and controls after exercise. Conclusion: Te improvement in MIP in controls indicated the positive effect of Pranayam exercise; however, it may not be an adequately stressful exercise to produce changes in the respiratory parameters of COPD patients. Te increase in VAS in patients suggested improvement in respiratory distress and quality of life.
Authors and Affiliations
Deepali S Jaju| Departments of Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Mohan B Dikshit| Departments of Physiology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Jothi Balaji| Departments of Physiology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Jyoji George| Departments of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Syed Rizvi| Departments of Family Medicine & Community Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Omar Al-Rawas| Departments of Medicine , College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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