G. SVYASA Ph. D. Theses
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Yoga Theses by Yoga PhD Students at SVYASA. These pages present some efforts at Scientific Validation of Yoga. You may receive full text of available yoga research papers
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Item YOGA BIOMECHANICS IN FACILITATING MUSCULAR FUNCTIONING AND MINDFULNESS AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC MALE CRICKET PLAYERS(SVYASA, 2021-09-23) MANASA R. RAO; RAVI KUMAR ITAGI; T. M. SRINIVASANBACKGROUND: Cricket is one of the prominent global team sports. It has undergone tremendous changes in the last two decades. With an emergence of Twenty20 tournaments, the physical preparation of elite cricket players has become complex with high match injury incidence. Premier league designs have also exposed the players to immense aggression, competitiveness and expectations. Yoga as a mind-body training is associated with having positive effects on a person's physical and psychological conditions, bringing better mind-body equilibrium. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the impact of yoga in facilitating muscular functioning and mindfulness among asymptomatic male cricket players. METHODS: Participants - First-class domestic male cricket players from Karnataka State Cricket Association in the age group of 18-35 years were randomized into yoga group n=42 and wait-list control group n=40. Design - Longitudinal randomized controlled trial. Assessments - Primary outcome measures of muscular functioning were core stability, flexibility, range of motion, static balance, dynamic balance and proprioception of the ankle. Five-facet mindfulness questionnaire was used to assess mindfulness. Intervention - Players received the yoga module for five days per week for a duration of six weeks. Assessments were held at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and a follow-up after six months of intervention. RESULTS: Group differences in the change in parameters over time was modelled using linear mixed-effects regression method. Comparison of model fit indicates a highly significant (p<0.001) difference between the model as compared to the baseline model among most of the variables under muscular functioning. Among the five facets of the mindfulness questionnaire, comparison of the model fit indicates a significant (p<0.001) difference between the model as compared to the baseline model. There was no significant effect (p>0.001) at either time or group, however, there was a significant interaction effect at T2 (immediate post-intervention) among all the five facets. No significant interaction effect (group*time interaction) was found in the follow-up study. CONCLUSION: Integrating this yoga module into the competitive world of cricket appears to be appropriate for enhancing muscular functioning and maintaining a state of mindfulness among male cricket players. Continuous practice can reinforce sustainable benefits for male cricket players.Item Effect of Anapanasati meditation on anxiety, verbal aggression and depression - A randomized controlled trial(SVYASA, 2021-01) B. Sivaramappa; Sudheer Deshpande; Hongasandra R. NagendraBACKGROUND Modern life, beset with tensions and anxiety, continues to crush people with an increasing number of deaths and deteriorating quality of life. Despite technological growth and enhanced material standards of living, the real quality of living in terms of love, happiness and peace are nowhere in sight. As science and technology are progressing, on one hand, new types of diseases are erupting thus paving the way for deteriorating quality of life. The reason for all this is stress, which we observed in the recent past, triggers Anxiety, Depression, Verbal Aggression, etc. The best way to fight stress is Yoga. Yoga and spirituality contain secrets of the structure and laws of the entire universe. Through this wisdom, Yoga offers a unique new way of life to modern man. Yoga which comprises of yogāsanas, breathing techniques (prānāyāma) and meditation is known for its applications in physical fitness and a better quality of life. Yoga is also effective in decreasing anxiety, confusion, tension and depression (Deshpande, Nagendra & Raghuram 2008). Not only therapeutic values but also psychological, spiritual and philosophical values are accessible and achievable through Yogic practices. Many have immensely benefited from these practices. Many scientific studies were done in the recent past to investigate the effect of Yoga and mindful meditation techniques on emotional states such as anxiety and depression. But we found that very few studies in the case of Ānāpānasati Meditation, a mindful breathing technique has been done. Mindful meditation techniques such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) have shown significant improvements in psychological wellbeing. Hence, we took up scientific studies on the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation also on improving the overall psychological well-being. We had designed the present study to test the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation on emotions such as anxiety, anger and depression in adults. AIM The study is aimed to investigate the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation on anxiety, verbal aggression and depression. OBJECTIVES: 1. To investigate the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation on levels of anxiety as assessed using the scores of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) 2. To investigate the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation on levels of verbal aggression as assessed using the scores of Verbal Aggressiveness Scale (VAS) 3. To investigate the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation on levels of depression as assessed using the scores of Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) METHODS Participants: The subjects were recruited from a stream of visitors to Pyramid Valley International, Bangalore, and Pyramid Spiritual Science Academy, Bengaluru. A total of 140 subjects were recruited for the study. Inclusion Criteria: Both males and females in the age group of 20 to 65 years were included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: People with diabetes, cancer and hypertension were excluded from the study on self-report by the participants. Since the study period was 6 months, only chronic diseases were excluded. Design: This is a Randomized Controlled Study (RCT) and participants were recruited from Pyramid Valley International, Bengaluru and Pyramid Spiritual Science Academy, Bengaluru. We limited the sample size to 140 participants based on previous studies that had a demonstrated effect size of 0.4; with the power set to 0.8 with a 5% level of significance. GPower was used for sample size computation. Initially, 140 participants consented to participate in the study, but at the end of the screening, 10 participants withdrew as they were not interested. Ultimately, 130 participants were considered. We divided the participants randomly into experimental and control groups consisting of 65 participants each. We assigned Identification numbers (ID) to participants and picked up the assigned IDs from the set of IDs and allocated them to both the groups in such a way that the experimental group got the first ID and the control group got the next ID. We repeated the procedure till all the IDs got over. We informed the participants about their group through a sealed envelope. We did not disclose the identities of the participants of both groups i.e., participants in the experimental group did not know the participants of the control group. Similarly, participants in the control group did not know the participants of the experimental group. We used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), a self-report questionnaire as the scale to study the effect of the intervention on anxiety. STAI consists of two parts, state anxiety and trait anxiety, each consisting of 20 questions which take values from 1 to 4. The present endeavour considered the state anxiety part (STAI-S) of the questionnaire for a study, which indicates the current state of anxiety in a specific situation when compared to trait anxiety which is a general tendency of the individual. We used the Verbal Aggressiveness Scale developed by Infante and Wigley (A. Infante & Wigley, 1986) to study the effect of Ānāpānasati Meditation on verbal aggression. It contains 20 items scored on a 5-point linear rating format with reverse scoring in 10 out of 20 items. We used the Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck, 1966, 1996) as the scale for measuring the effectiveness of intervention of depression. On this scale, we have 21 items for a scoring record. We ensured that the experimental group members were given instructions by experts in respect of Ānāpānasati Meditation’. They continued the practice of ‘Ānāpānasati’ for one hour a day for the duration of the experiment. The control group on the other hand continued their routine work with no Ānāpānasati Meditation. Assessments: We ensured the tests by examiners before and after six months of Ānāpānasati Meditation in a room devoid of any disturbance or distractions. The invigilators coded and segregated the completed questionnaire cum response sheets for scoring after the study. A person not involved in the group formation evaluated the coded response sheets. A person not involved in the present study decoded the response sheets after noting the scores prior and post-administration to the respondents and the data were later prepared. Intervention: We administered Ānāpānasati Meditation as an intervention for the experimental group for six months. In this practice, we used breathing as the object of concentration. Breathing is not a physical object that arouses a distraction in the minds. It is a quiet, natural, unfluctuating and effortless process. We administered meditation in easy steps. The practice was simply to sit comfortably in any posture convenient to them and to clasp their hands together. They are to be mindful of breathing in and breathing out for one hour in one go every day. We advised them to restart if they happened to be unmindful of breathing during the practice of this technique. Mindful breathing facilitates experiencing knowledge besides awareness and joy. Clear comprehension is the outcome. The demonstration of the meditation technique included the steps mentioned below. 1. To sit comfortably 2. To cross the legs (when we sit on a chair or a sofa) 3. To keep the hands together–one palm on another 4. To silence the mouth 5. To sit erect 6. To close both the eyes and 7. To observe breathing in and out while in this posture (This practice is a mere observation of breathing in and breathing out by the consciousness [mind] with closed eyes. This procedure is mindful breathing). Monthly Verification Program: We ensured monthly verification of the intervention practice through the well-experienced supervisors. These supervisors have been in close contact with the participants to assist in the practice. The participants attended meditation classes once a week regularly in our designated meditation center for the duration of the intervention. We appended the photographs of the meditation center in the Pyramid Valley. The details of the participants are in the appendix. Data Extraction: We employed the prescribed questionnaires for the collection of data. Experienced meditator supervisors have undertaken the assignment. We carried out the scoring of the questionnaires as per the instructions in the manual. Data Analysis: We analysed the Data using the repeated measures ANOVA test. SPSS version 10.0 was used for the data analysis. Results A total of 140 participants enrolled, 130 were considered for randomization, as 10 participants were not interested in the study. Hence, there were 130 participants for the randomization. At the end of the randomization, 65 participants each were allotted to both experimental and control groups. In the follow-up, we lost 6 participants from the experimental group and 5 participants from the control group and a total of 119 participants have completed the six-month intervention successfully consisting of 59 participants in the experimental group and 60 participants in the control group. At the end of the six-month intervention, we analyzed the final BDI, STAI and VAS scores of all 119 participants from both groups. The results of all three studies are as follows: 1. Anxiety: We have analyzed the STAI scores before and after Ānāpānasati Meditation for both the experimental and control groups, using repeated-measures ANOVA. The experimental group has shown a significant reduction in STAI (p< 0.05) score after the intervention, whereas in the control group the reduction in STAI score was not significant. A comparison of the results shows that there was a decline of anxiety in the experimental group from 47.61 ± 7.41 to 44.58 ± 5.08 whereas there is an increase in anxiety level 50.55 ± 4.25 to 52.02 ± 4.41 in the control group. 2. Verbal Aggression: We took up and analyzed the VAS scores before and after Ānāpānasati Meditation for both the experimental and control groups using repeated-measures ANOVA. The experimental group has shown a significant reduction (p< 0.05) in the VAS score (66.53 ± 6.93 to 46.97 ± 6.79) after the intervention, whereas that was not a significant decrease (p = 0.19) in the control group in VAS scores (66.73 ± 12.15 to 64.97 ± 13.16). 3. Depression: We analyzed the BDI scores collected before and after Ānāpānasati Meditation for both the experimental and control groups using repeated-measures ANOVA. The experimental group showed a significant reduction (p< 0.05) in the BDI score (25.78 ± 9.32 to 4.02 ± 5.33) whereas the BDI score (15.33 ± 11.43 to 16.60 ± 12.77) in the control group has increased. 4. Conclusion: The results of the study have shown that the practice of Ānāpānasati Meditation has brought significant improvement in reducing the levels of anxiety, depression and verbal aggressiveness. There was a decline in anxiety levels from pre-score 47.61 ± 7.41 to post-score 44.58 ± 5.08 in the experimental group. In verbal aggression, comparative figures of pre and post-intervention show a decline from 66.53 ± 6.93 & 46.97 ± 6.79. There was also a decline of depression in the experimental group from 25.78 ± 9.32 to 4.02 ± 5.33. This study has revealed that Ānāpānasati Meditation had been effective in decreasing levels of anxiety, depression and verbal aggression as per their VAS, STAI and BDI scores after six months of intervention. The subjects who practiced Ānāpānasati Meditation showed a dip when compared to the control group who did not practice Meditation. As this is simple and easy to practice, we recommend the same for regular exercise to reduce their stress, anxiety and consequent depression levels and feel more energetic and positive in one’s approach. Keywords – Ānāpānasati Meditation, Mindfulness, Verbal Aggressiveness Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory ScaleItem Efficacy of cyclic meditation as yoga based mindfulness intervention for psychological wellbeing in working professionals(SVYASA, 2021-01) Sreekumar T. S.; Nagendra H. R.; Judu V. IlavarasuBACKGROUND Psychological distress is highly prevalent among working professionals. Workplace yoga interventions to enhance psychological wellbeing and further follow-up studies are limited. Physical manifestations of stress include musculoskeletal pain, headaches, constant fatigue, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular illnesses, and substance use, while its psychological manifestations include lack of concentration, negative affect, low self-esteem, aggression among others. Stress is experienced in response to a range of physical, occupational and emotional stimuli. Within manageable parameters one’s sense of well-being is maintained, but if these stimuli go beyond normal limits they become stressors. Exploring new pathways, such as mindfulness, can lead to the development of novel tools for enhancing employee wellbeing at work (Schultz et al., 2015). Mindfulness based intervention studies have shown exponential growth over the past three decades. Potential benefits of mindfulness interventions range from mental and physical health outcomes to cognitive, affective and interpersonal outcomes. Descriptions of mindfulness and methods of cultivating it originate in eastern spiritual traditions. First generation mindfulness intervention studies focused mainly on treating adult patients in clinic settings. Over the last ten years, there has been a shift in moving mindfulness intervention studies out of the clinic into institutional settings. Mindfulness interventions are multidimensional in nature and involve multiple active components. Mindful yoga component is shown to produce a significant differential effect on the outcomes. As a means of providing a unified body-mind experience, Yoga has few equals (Salmon et al., 2009). The current study examined the efficacy of cyclic meditation, as a unique yoga based mindfulness intervention for workplace wellbeing. Two studies were conducted across two distinct employee cross-sections of a large Indian multinational corporate. First study was on leadership professionals and the second study was on offshore professionals who are engaged in a high-risk work environment. Effect of a five day residential yoga intervention and later follow-up after three months of home practice was examined in these two study groups. Participants were assessed for various psychological constructs like mindfulness, emotion regulation, positive and negative affect, and perceived stress. Results of linear mixed effects model showed that all the variables had significantly influenced the perceived stress, except for emotion regulation. Findings suggest that intervention is effective in addressing the stress of professionals by improving mindfulness, positive affect, and better emotion regulation strategy, but due to lack of supervised guidance after the program, there is a high chance of further relapse, which needs further attention to maintain an environment of sustained wellbeing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AIM 1. The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of cyclic meditation as yoga based mindfulness intervention for enhancing wellbeing in working professionals. 2. The study aims to examine the effect of yoga intervention in two different work groups – Study1 on leadership professionals and Study2 on offshore professionals, who are engaged in a high-risk work environment.3. The study further aims to examine the follow-up effect of the residential intervention and also to examine the relationship between mindfulness, positive affect and perceived stress. OBJECTIVES 1. Examine the effect of yoga intervention on mindfulness in working professionals 2. Examine the effect of yoga intervention on emotion regulation, perceived stress, positive and negative affect in working professionals 3. Examine the effect of yoga intervention at multiple time points - after a 5 day residential yoga intervention and after 3 months of home practice 4. Examine the mediating role of mindfulness in the relationship between positive affect and perceived stress METHODS Participants Study1: Effect of yoga based intervention on leadership professionals Participants were recruited from a large Indian multinational public sector undertaking, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).102 senior level leadership professionals with a mean age of 53.85 years and ranging from 30 to 60 years participated in the study. Both males and females who volunteered for the program were included in the study. Out of the 102 participants who attended the full 5-day residential intervention, 83 participants provided follow-up data after 3 months. Study2: Effect of yoga based intervention on employees in high risk work environment Participants were recruited from a large Indian multinational public sector undertaking, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).77 offshore male employees of ONGC organization reported for the residential program located in a Yoga university setup at Bengaluru. The participants had a mean age of 42.67 years and ranging from 23 to 59 years. Out of the seventy-seven participants who attended the full 5-day residential intervention, 61 participants provided follow-up data after 3 months. Design Repeated measures design with a single group followed at three time points, baseline, after the intervention, and after the follow-up for 3 months. Assessments Mindfulness was measured using the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Emotion regulation was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Positive affect and negative affect were measured using the positive affect and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Perceived stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Intervention The residential program covered theory sessions that provided conceptual understanding of yoga, stress and its release, concept of executive growth and group dynamics. Theory sessions were followed up with practice sessions on cyclic meditation (CM) technique. Interaction sessions were conducted to address any participant queries. In addition, the program had components on yogäsanas (postures), kriyä (cleansing techniques), präëäyäma (breathing practices) and bhajan (devotional sessions). Simple, healthy nutrient rich vegetarian diet was served. Following the residential program, participants were expected to continue their daily practice of 35 minutes of cyclic meditation on their own for an additional period of 3 months. Standardized guided instructions in audio format were provided to facilitate the individual practice. Results Results of linear mixed effects model showed that all the variables had significantly influenced the perceived stress, except for emotion regulation. Findings suggest that intervention is effective in addressing the stress of senior managers by improving mindfulness, positive affect, and better emotion regulation strategy, but due to lack of supervised guidance after the program, there is a high chance of further relapse, which needs further attention to maintain an environment of sustained wellbeing. Conclusion In both the distinct studies on senior level managers and on offshore employees, findings suggest that yoga intervention is effective in addressing the stress by improving mindfulness, positive affect, and better emotion regulation strategy, but due to lack of supervised guidance after the program, there is a high chance of further relapse, which needs further attention to maintain an environment of sustained wellbeing.