Immediate effect of stimulation in comparison to relaxation in healthy volunteers

Abstract

In this self-control, cross over study carried out over two consecutive days, 43 healthy male volunteers aged 20-45 yrs practiced 20 minutes Kapalbhati and 20 minutes Breath Awareness. Subjects were assessed before and after both practices for State Anxiety, sustained attention (Six Letter Cancellation and Digit Letter Substitution tests), and verbal and spatial memory. After Kapalbhati, scores reduced significantly on State Anxiety, and increased on both sustained attention, and verbal and spatial memory; statistical significance was high on all variables (p<0.001). After Breath Awareness, changes were also significant (p<0.001) on all variables except State Anxiety (p>0.05).