Effect of Yogic Pranic Energization Technique on Stress, Heart Rate Variability and Cognition in Healthy College Students - A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND Yogic Pranic Energisation Technique (YPET) is a guided meditative practice in which one's own prana Shakthi is used for energising the body. Thus, every part of the body will be revitalised. This technique is mainly given to people who are suffering from cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc. This practice integrates deep relaxation, breath awareness, and visualisation of pranic flow through the body, and is believed to regulate autonomic function. It helps to strengthen the immune defence and to revitalise the entire body. It cleanses the entire respiratory tract and purifies the subtle channels of Prana. The breathing will be balanced through Nadishudhi Pranayama, which is one of the steps in this technique. This brings balance and rhythm to the breathing pattern. Thus, there will be balance in the ida and pingala Nadi, which in turn activates the sushumna Nadi through which the energy flows properly. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is assessed as the primary variable to see the autonomic changes in the YPET group & Supine rest group before and after the intervention, and compare both the experimental group and the control group. The Stroop test is used to assess cognition in both the experimental and control groups.

AIM The study aims to assess the effect of YPET on Heart Rate Variability, Cognition & Stress in healthy college students.

OBJECTIVES • Compare pre and post–changes in the YPET group • Compare the experimental group (YPET) vs. the control group (Supine rest)

MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects: • A total of 100 people in the age group 18-25 years were screened for the study. Source of subjects: • Students aged 18-25 years. (Students from S-VYASA University pursuing UG).

Sample size: • Recommended total sample size was N=100 (Experimental group n= 35, Control group n=35; Excluded n= 30).

Design: The design of the study was Randomized control trial. A total of 100 participants were screened, and 30 were excluded on the basis of exclusion criteria. 70 participants were randomly assigned to both experimental and control groups using chit method. The total duration of the intervention was 3 months. The data was collected before and after the intervention.

Assessments: • Primary Variable- Heart Rate Variability (HRV) • Secondary Variable- Stroop test, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

Intervention: • Participants in the experimental group practised the Pranic Energisation Technique for 30 days for 30 minutes. • Participants in the control group rested in a supine position for 30 days for 30 minutes.

Results: Of 70 Healthy College students, all the subjects completed the study. No adverse events were observed during the study period. The mean ± standard deviation age in the PET group was 19.4 ± 1.91 years, whereas in the CG was 20.5 ± 1.72 years. Overall, the Study Group (PET group) has shown significant changes in HRV, Cognition and PSS scores across all variables in comparison to the Control Group.

Baseline HRV parameters in both groups did not show any significant difference. The students paired t-test was used to find the changes within the group. Within the group analysis, the intervention group has shown statistical significance (P < 0.05) in Average RR (P = 0.05) and SD rate (P = 0.038), whereas the CG did not show any significant changes. The independent ttest was used to find the changes between the two groups. It showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement in Average RR (P = 0.008) and Average rate (P = 0.02) in the PET group after 30 days of practice.

In the Cognitive Stroop test, the Accuracy rate and Reaction time in the study group showed statistical significance (P<0.05), which is not shown in the Control group. Between-group analysis showed that Accuracy and Reaction time were highly significant (P < 0.05). In PSS, it shows that the PSS has significantly reduced after the Practice of PET than SR.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that YPET significantly reduces stress, improves HRV, and enhances cognition. It’s a safe, cost-effective intervention, useful for the student population.