The implementation of yogic practices has proven benefits in both organic and psychological diseases. Forty-five women with anxiety selected by a random sampling method were divided into three groups. Experimental group I was subjected to asanas, relaxation and pranayama while Experimental group II was subjected to an integrated yoga module. The control group did not receive any intervention. Anxiety was measured by Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale before and after treatment. Frustration was measured through Reaction to Frustration Scale. All data were spread in an Excel sheet to be analysed with SPSS 16 software using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Selected yoga and asanas decreased anxiety and frustration scores but treatment with an integrated yoga module resulted in significant reduction of anxiety and frustration. To conclude, the practice of asanas and yoga decreased anxiety in women, and yoga as an integrated module significantly improved anxiety scores in young women with proven anxiety without any ill effects.

Background: An estimated 30-50% of the general population is affected by insomnia and 10% have chronic insomnia. Yoga therapy is beneficial in such disorders and it has fewer side effects. Aim:The aim of this study was to find out the effect of yoga therapy on selected psychological variables among men with insomnia.

Background: Cardiovascular morbidity is increasing recently in India. Stress and autonomic dysfunction are associated with cardiovascular morbidity. Yoga is the best lifestyle ever designed. Based on limited scientific research, yoga (meditation, asanas, and pranayamas including relaxation) therapy is known to improve cardiovascular autonomic functions. Aims and Objective: To study and compare the effect of 6 months of training in relaxing asanas and pranayamas on blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), and rate-pressure product (RPP) in young healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: A total of 109 healthy volunteers aged 20-25 years were divided into 3 groups consisting of asan (n = 38), pranayam (n = 38), and control group (n = 33). The Yoga training was given 25 min/day for 6 days/week for 6 months. Pranayam group received relaxing pranayam (pranav, savitri, nadi shuddhi and chandra nadi), asan group received relaxing asan (pawanmuktasana, balasan, dharnicasan, and shavasan) and waiting list were kept as a control group. The results were statistically compared between groups by analysis of variance and intra-group pre-post comparisons by paired t-test. Results: Post training analysis showed significant decreases in systolic BP and diastolic BP as well as PP, mean arterial pressure and RPP in both asan and pranayam group as compared with control. There was, however, no significant difference between asan and pranayam group. Conclusion: Practising either relaxing asan or pranayam enhances parasympathetic activity and decreases sympathetic activity.

No abstract

Background: Even after 115 years after the invention of Riva-Rocci Sphygmomanometer, the technique which shows the maximal accuracy of blood pressure (BP) measurement remains elusive. Currently, non-invasive BP (NIBP) recording is commonly done worldwide. Yet, intra-arterial pressure (IAP) recording gives a beat to beat accurate recording of one's BP. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study are as follows: (1) To compare NIBP with IAP in various age groups and (2) to study the influence of age in the accuracy of NIBP recording. Materials and Methods: A total of 98 patients aged 30-75 years posted for a coronary angiogram (CAG) were recruited for the study and divided into 3 groups based on age . Two sets of NIBP and corresponding IAP (radial and aortic arterial pressures) were recorded during CAG. Paired t-test to compare the NIBP with corresponding IAP and ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni to check the influence of age with the accuracy of recording were done. Results: NIBP differed significantly with the corresponding IAP when analyzed by paired t-test (P < 0.0001). Multiple comparisons between three age groups and the pressure difference by ANOVA were done. Age Groups I and III (30-45 years and 61-75 years) both systolic NIBPI versus radial artery pressure (P = 0.013) as well as diastolic NIBP II versus arterial blood pressure (ABP) (P = 0.053) pressure comparison were widely different. Age Groups II (46-60 years) and III (61-70 years) varied in the diastolic NIBPII versus ABP comparison with P = 0.050. The results thus indicate that there is discrepancy of manual BP versus IAP with an increasing trend with the advancement of age. Conclusion: Thus, the results indicate that there is a discrepancy of NIBP versus IAP with NIBP showing higher values which widens with advancing age.