IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF HIGH FREQUENCY YOGA BREATHING ON VISUAL SPATIAL MEMORY IN 10-15 YEARS SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

Background: Breathing techniques improves perception, attention and concentration. These skills are valuable for human being. Kapalbhati is one of the popular pranayama which have several benefits. Aims: To study the immediate effect of 1-minute Kapalbhati (KB) practice on cognitive functions, as measured by the corsi block tapping task(Backward) on healthy participants. Methods and Materials: Total 40 children were recruit in the present study. All were participating in a 10-day orientation of fast pranayama (Kapalbhati) training program. It was a part of personality development camp (PDC) at Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhan Samsthana (S-VYASA). These children were randomly divided into two groups (i.e., Kapalabhati group and Control group). Both groups were assessed for visual spatial memory using the corsi-block tapping task (Backward), immediately before and after practice on same day. The control group children did not practice any form of yoga before performance. Result: The immediate effect of Kapalabhati showed a significant improvement in visuo-spatial short term working memory. After one-minute practice of Kapalabhati, the participants demonstrated the processing speed was significantly improved (p<0.05) whereas no change in control group. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the brief practice of breathing practice improves mental awareness and information processing speed in yoga practitioners. This outcome speculated that the practice of Kapalabhati may have a positive role in attention related network involved in spatial awareness.