HEART RATE VARIABILITY DYNAMICS BEFORE AND AFTER LAGHU SHANKHAPRAKSHALANA IN HEALTHY ADULTS: A REPEATED-MEASURES STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND Laghu Shankhaprakshalana (LSP) is a traditional yogic cleansing technique aimed at purifying the gastrointestinal tract and promoting systemic balance. Although yogic practices are known to influence autonomic function, limited scientific evidence exists regarding the immediate effects of LSP on cardiac autonomic regulation. Heart Rate variability (HRV) is a well-established, non-invasive marker that reflects autonomic nervous system dynamics and overall physiological adaptability.

AIM: To explore the effect of Laghu Shankhaprakshalana on heart Rate Variability (HRV) in healthy individuals.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To measure the immediate changes in HRV following the practice of LSP. 2. To investigate the impact of LSP on HRV and evaluate the persistence of Autonomic alterations over time. 3. To evaluate the effect of Laghu ShankhaPrakshalana on Heart rate, Blood pressure, SpO2 and Respiratory rate.

METHODS: This study adopts a single-group repeated measures design involving healthy adults aged 18-25 years. Participants will be recruited based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria (n=44). Baseline measurements of HRV, Heartrate, Blood pressure, SpO2 and Respiratory rate will be recorded under resting conditions. The intervention consists of an intake of warm saline water followed by a sequence of specific yogic postures performed in cycles early in the morning on an empty stomach. Outcome measures will be recorded before the intervention, immediately after and at 30 minutes of post-intervention. HRV analysis will include time-domain and frequency-domain parameters.

INFORMED CONSENT: Written informed consent was taken from the subjects before starting the intervention.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS : By Principal Investigators.

DATA CONFIDENTIALITY: Confidentiality of the data will be ensured by coding the subjects and not revealing the names.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION: All the subjects were informed about the current research, and informed consent was obtained from each subjects.

RESULTS: The analysis demonstrated observable changes in heart rate variability (HRV) parameters across baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 30 minutes post-intervention. Descriptive statistics indicated trends toward modulation of autonomic activity following Laghu Shankha Prakshalana. However, inferential analysis (Friedman test) did not show statistically significant differences across time points for most parameters, likely due to high inter- individual variability.

CONCLUSION: Laghu Shankha Prakshalana may influence autonomic regulation by inducing short-term changes in HRV, suggesting a potential modulatory effect on the autonomic nervous system. However, the lack of statistical significance indicates that these effects are variable and not consistent across individuals. Further controlled studies with extended follow-up are required to establish definitive outcomes.

KEYWORDS: LSP, Heart Rate variability, Autonomic Nervous System, Yoga, Shatkriya