Association Of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga - A Yogic Breathing Practice With Improved Cognitive Abilities: A Cross- Sectional Study On Adolescents Yogic Breathing And Cognitive Abilities: Study On Adolescent

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Kanchibhotla Divya , Subramanian Saumya and Kaushik Bharti

Abstract

Background: There exist a strong inverse correlation between stress and cognitive abilities in adults and children. This effect is pronounced in adolescents as their stress coping mechanisms are developing.


Objective: The present study aims to explore the effects of yogic breathing practice on cognitive abilities of adolescents.


Methods: The is cross-sectional study comprised of 455 students of 14 (13-17) years mean age. Four schools matching in curriculum, demography and other education related aspects were selected from Bengaluru, India for the study. A total of 218 students were included in the experimental group practicing Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) for over one year, and 237 were enrolled in control group who did not practice any form of yoga or meditation. Cognitive abilities were tested using RPM, RAVLT and TMT.


Results: The results demonstrated that the SKY group performed significantly better than control group in all the tests. The RPM scores demonstrates a greater percentage population (N) in grade 1 and Grade 2 among the study (SKY) group demonstrating intellectually better. Students from the SKY group scored significantly better in RAVLT immediate recall demonstrating good working memory and verbal learning skills. The students of SKY group performed the tasks in the trail making test better than the control group with good accuracy demonstrating good visual motor skills.


Conclusion: Our study demonstrates better cognitive skills among the SKY practicing group compared to the non-practitioners of same demographic background. The findings could be attributed to lower stress levels and therefore better cognition among children.  

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