EFFECT OF OMKAR MANTRA CHANTING ON VOICE PARAMETERS AND WELL-BEING IN NOVICE PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mantra chanting is one of the simplest yet most effective practices for novice practitioners of any age group to get various health benefits or spiritual inspiration. The term “Mantra” has a Sanskrit origin and is a tool for the mind or thought. The sacred utterance consists of syllables, words, or verses that create powerful vibrations, which can be used to heal the physical body and take the mind into a deep state of meditation. Chanting Omkar is one of the ancient practices that effortlessly leads to improvement in mood and cognitive functioning by promoting greater alignment between physical and subtle states of our being. On the physiological front, Mantra chanting positively influences heart rate variability, respiratory dynamics, neural activity, cognition, social cohesion, and many more in diverse ways, as evidenced by recent scientific inspections. Research on the psychological effects of Mantra chanting reveals compelling evidence of its ability to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and depression, promote emotional regulation, and enhance mindfulness. In recent decades, acoustic methods have successfully aided in differential diagnosis by analysing vowels and speech, thereby evaluating the effectiveness of treatment approaches. Chanting the Omkar Mantra loudly is a powerful meditative technique that naturally draws one's attention to the sound. The resonant tones produced during Omkar chanting serve as internal signals, stimulating various neuronal activities. This method is valuable in laboratory settings, where the participants' engagement in the practice can be closely observed. Consistent loud chanting shifts consciousness, reducing activity in the brain's left hemisphere while boosting activity in the right hemisphere, ultimately elevating alpha and theta brainwave levels. Omkar chanting enhances focused attention, vocal synchronization, and emotional self-regulation, benefits that stem from the melodic arrangement of the voice. Focusing on this resonant sound typically turns external sensory perception inward. The brain's intrinsic function reflects the fundamental activities of its underlying architecture, which can be modified through sensory inputs. The current study investigates the voice parameters and the well-being indicators in the context of A kara, U kara, and M kara chanting. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES • The aim was to examine the effect of Omkar Mantra chanting on voice quality and psychological well-being in healthy, novice individuals. • The objectives were: • To compare the acoustic characteristics of Omkar chanting in healthy novice individuals before and after Omkar Mantra chanting. • To compare psychological well-being before and after the Omkar chanting training program. METHODS Participants The study involved healthy individuals who were new to the practice of mantra chanting and without prior chanting experience. A total of 100 participants (50 males and 50 females) aged between 20 and 45 were recruited through convenience sampling. Participants were included based on the criterion of no signs of vocal dysfunction. We considered a GRBAS score of 0 with no history of current or past voice disorder (e.g., Dysphonia, Vocal cord nodules, Parkinson's). Exclusion criteria were (i) any previous exposure to regular yoga or mantra chanting or professional singing experience to avoid variations in the duration and quality of phonation, (ii) any previous history of self-reported physical or mental ailments. The research was conducted through an online mode. Design A quasi-experimental study was administered to measure the productivity before and after the training program for the same group of individuals. The means and standard deviations of voice parameters, well-being, and vitality were compared for both males and females before and after the training program, and the statistical significance of the productivity differences was assessed. Assessments: Voice parameters included fundamental frequency, formants (F1, F2, F3), jitter, shimmer, and harmonic-to-noise ratio. Well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 and Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS) tools. Intervention: A 10-day training workshop was conducted online, consisting of 30 minutes of guided whole-body visualization relaxation each day, along with a short pranayama practice. This was followed by chanting A, U, M, and Om. Data on the participants was collected using commonly available Mi and Redmi handsets and analyzed with PRAAT software both before and after the training program. The WHO-5 and SVS vitality questionnaires were employed as pre- and post-workshop measures to assess psychological changes in the participants. Results: The statistical software JASP 0.18.3 was used to analyze the data. Out of the 100 recruited subjects, data from 4 subjects were discarded due to improper recording or outliers. Consequently, data from 96 subjects were considered for analysis. The results indicated a statistically significant improvement in the physical and mental well-being of individuals, suggesting a positive effect of Omkara chanting on novice participants. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated that the practice of loud Omkar chant has a significant effect on the voice parameters, fundamental frequency(F0), formants (F1, F2, F3), jitter, shimmer, and HNR, along with improvement in vitality and psychological parameters. Thus, Omkar chanting offers broader opportunities due to its overt features and simple techniques. Further research can better highlight the positive effects of the Omkara chant on meditation and its relevance for clinical populations.