Effect of yoga on perseverative cognition and pulmonary functions in hypertensive patients: A single arm pilot study

Abstract

Context: Perseverative Cognition and prolonged stress is a new field of study associated with the prevalence of depression and anxiety with the possibility of a faulty breathing pattern adversely affecting the optimal functioning of the bodily systems. Yogic literature suggests the role of disturbed mind in deregulated breathing. However, no earlier scientific attempts have been made to understand their correlation. Aim: The aim of the study is to explore a possible relationship between Perseverative Cognition and Pulmonary functions in primary hypertension people and to understand the effect of Integrated Yoga Therapy in alleviating Perseverative Cognition. Design: Simple Pre-post study design. Methods: Participants with primary hypertension and not having any other complications, attending arogydhama integrated health-care centre were screened and nine subjects, both male and female, with the age range of 35-55 years were recruited for the study.They were investigated for their pulmonary functions, perseverative thinking and blood pressure at the start and at the end of 5 day therapeutic intervention. Results: There was a reduction in Core Ruminative Negative Thinking, Mental Capacity and Total Perseverative Thinking by 44.7%, 47.7%, 45.6% respectively and an improvement in Minute Ventilation, Tidal volume, Slow Vital Capacity and Expiratory Reserve Volume by 26.8%, 19.6%, 14.5% and 31.8% respectively. Conclusions: The pilot study shows the existence of a possible association existing between the pulmonary functions and perseverative cognition in hypertensive population.