G. SVYASA Ph. D. Theses

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CHANGES IN PREFRONTAL OXYGENATION, CARDIAC ACTIVITY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS FOLLOWING MIND SOUND RESONANCE TECHNIQUE
(S-VYASA, 2026) SUSHANTA KUMAR MOHANTY; AMIT KUMAR SINGH; DEEPESHWAR SINGH
BACKGROUND Mind is a conglomeration of thoughts that are manifest and unmanifest either in a conscious state or subconscious state. Repetitive thought patterns are a reaction to mental and breathing imbalances, which leads to psychological and emotional imbalances as well as physical disturbances such as abnormalities in heart rate, brain oxygenation, and cognition, as well as the emergence of numerous diseases. The main principles of cognition include executive functions, memory, attention, and thought processes. Cognitive disruption affects memory, focus, and attention. College student exhibit increased aggression due to academic stress, competition, time management, and financial concerns, which impact their psychological, physiological, and cognitive functions. Over the previous decade, college students have shown increased psychological distress, sadness, and anxiety. A poll of Australian tertiary students revealed that 65% experienced severe or very high psychological anguish, while 35.4% contemplated self-harm or suicide. In a sample of university students in Turkey, 27.1% exhibited depression, 47.1% experienced anxiety, and 27% reported stress. Furthermore, 30% of Canadian undergraduate students exhibited psychological difficulties, while 41.9% of Malaysian medical students were identified with emotional illnesses. Depression, anxiety, and stress were more prevalent in Asian countries than in other nations. Research in India indicated that medical students experienced elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress at rates of 51.3%, 66.9%, and 53%, respectively. Research indicates that stressors that college students encounter may serve as indicators of mental health diagnoses. Poor mental health can result in a variety of adverse effects, such as communal separation, difficulty concentrating in the classroom, regular attendance, assignment completion, and overall well-being. This can result in squandered opportunities and, ultimately, a diminished sense of self-worth. Moreover, other risk factors for cognitive impairment in individuals with poor mental health were found, including hypertension and depression. Neuroimaging research indicates that compromised mental health correlates with irregularities in both functional and structural connections of the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment. Research indicates that, even in the initial phases of cognitive loss, distinct abnormalities in cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation parameters were seen. Research on heart rate variability has demonstrated that mental health correlates with irregularities in sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Working memory, a cognitive capacity that allows for the active retention and manipulation of information, is a fundamental component of the human memory system and is associated with other cognitive abilities, including attention, executive function, verbal memory, and information processing speed. In addition to pharmaceuticals, non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise, yoga, computer-based training, nutrition, brain stimulation, sleep, and music are increasingly significant in addressing cognitive deficiencies. Meditation has emerged as a prominent non-pharmacological method, earning global recognition as a form of complementary and alternative medicine, with its therapeutic advantages being investigated across diverse clinical situations. The Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) is a sound-based meditation method that employs mantras to create resonance, facilitating profound relaxation for both the mind and body. The Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) has demonstrated a beneficial impact on all facets of mental and physical health. Furthermore, it has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, tension, anxiety, and depression, while simultaneously improving self esteem in both clinical and non-clinical groups. Research indicates that MSRT reduces state anxiety, enhances psychomotor performance, and elevates cognitive capabilities, including sustained attention and information processing speed. Notwithstanding these encouraging results, the correlation between prefrontal oxygenation, psychophysiological alterations, and mental health remains inadequately investigated. The current study is to assess the effects of a one-month MSRT practice on prefrontal oxygenation, heart rate variability, cognitive function, and its association with mental health in college students. This research aims to address the gap by investigating how prefrontal oxygenation and psychophysiological alterations generated by MSRT can enhance overall mental well-being. We posited that one month of MSRT practice could enhance prefrontal oxygenation, heart rate variability, cognitive function, and mental well-being. .
A COMPARISON OF HIGH FREQUENCY YOGA BREATHING (HFYB) WITH BREATH AWARENESS (BAW) AND AEROBIC EXERCISE ASSESSING NEUROPLASTICITY BY GAMMA OSCILLATION, BDNF LEVELS, AND COGNITIVE TASK PERFORMANCE.
(S-VYASA, 2026) BUDHI BAL RANA; DEEPESHWAR SINGH
BACKGROUND: Cognitive task performance is generally accompanied by increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), brain oscillations, and elevated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Cognitive abilities such as working memory (WM) are essential for daily functioning and are also critical for higher-order processes, including planning and problem-solving. AIM: The study aims to assess the effect of Kapalabhati or high-frequency yoga breathing (HFYB) on BDNF levels, gamma brain oscillations, and performance in one cognitive task, compared with running and breath awareness (BAW). METHODS: Participants: Forty-eight yoga practitioners, aged 18 to 35 years, were recruited for the study. Participants having more than 6 months of yoga experience are willing to participate in the study and adhere to the study’s protocols. Male subjects alone were studied, as some studies have found that female autonomic, cognitive functions, and respiratory variables can be modulated by the phases of the menstrual cycle. Design: The study was a 3-arm randomized controlled trial with assessments conducted at the beginning and immediately after HFYB, including running and breath awareness exercises. Assessment: The pre- and post-assessments included cognitive function (working memory or N-back task), Cardiorespiratory/autonomic variables (Heart rate variability, energy expenditure, and metabolic rate), biochemical measurements (BDNF level), and Brain waves or oscillations (electroencephalography-EEG). Intervention: Participants received a 15-day orientation to ensure uniformity in practice. The Kapalabhati group practiced HFYB for 15 minutes (three rounds of 5 minutes each, with a 1 minute break in between). The running and breath awareness groups followed the same schedule for an equal duration. RESULT: The running group exhibited continuous parasympathetic withdrawal in both pre-WM and post WM periods (p < 0.01). In the HFYB group, parasympathetic withdrawal was observed during pre WM and practice; however, parasympathetic activity was re-established post-WM, suggesting a modulatory effect. WM accuracy improved in all groups (p < 0.05), while reaction time decreased (p < 0.05). A statistically significant increase in BDNF levels (p < 0.01) was observed only in the HFYB group, with no significant changes in the others. The running group showed significant increases in metabolic rate and energy expenditure (p < 0.05) in both within- and between-group comparisons. Spectral analysis revealed a significant increase in alpha waves in the frontal region (p < 0.05) and gamma power (p < 0.05) during HFYB practice. HFYB also showed significant changes across the frontal, temporal, and occipital regions. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that HFYB can modulate vagal tone and parasympathetic activity while improving working memory performance. The parasympathetic reactivation observed may be cardioprotective, thereby promoting better health and longevity. Spectral analysis also showed enhanced alpha power in the frontal region and increased gamma oscillations in the fronto temporal-occipital regions, indicating that HFYB may improve higher cognitive functions by increasing cortical activity. Thus, HFYB may serve as a cost-effective, neuroprotective practice for promoting cognitive health. Keywords: High frequency yoga breathing, Heart rate variability, working memory, Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), brain oscillation.

G. SVYASA Ph. D. Theses

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