Effect of a Yogic Breathing Technique on Immune Parameters among Healthcare Workers: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Archana  Balasubramanian; Priyathersini  Nagarajan; Mathangi Damal  Chandrasekar; Kaviraja  Udupa; Emmanuel  Bhaskar; Divya  Kanchibotla; Saumya  Subramanian

doi:10.18502/tim.v9i4.17474

Archana Balasubramanian Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
Priyathersini Nagarajan Department of Pathology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
Mathangi Damal Chandrasekar Department of Mind Body Medicine & Lifestyle Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
Kaviraja Udupa Department of Neurophysiology, NIMHANS, Hosur road, Bengaluru-560029, India
Emmanuel Bhaskar Department of General Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, India
Divya Kanchibotla Sri Institute of Advanced Research, Bengaluru, India
Saumya Subramanian Sri Institute of Advanced Research, Bengaluru, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v9i4.17474

Keywords: Sudarshan kriya; Breathing; Immunity; Yoga; Inflammation; Healthcare workers

Abstract

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have faced challenging situations globally with increased stress and its related inflammatory/immune disorders, leaving behind a deficit in the number of HCWs worldwide. An increased focus on their physical and mental well-being is strongly warranted. Relaxation techniques such as yoga, pranayama, and meditation have great potential to promote health and prevent diseases. This study aims to determine the effects of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) on inflammatory and immune parameters among HCWs. This pilot randomized controlled trial includes recruiting HCWs from a single centre in South India in 2022. We excluded any form of medical illness and recruited regular volunteers. The SKY intervention was delivered and followed up for 12 weeks. Baseline and post-SKY intervention blood investigations were compared between study and control groups (1:1 ratio) and analyzed. Thirty-eight subjects were recruited for the pilot study. Among them, 27 were females (71%) and 11 males (29%). Pro-inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio showed a decrease in mean values after 12 weeks in both groups, which was not statistically significant. A slight increase in interleukin (IL)-6 values and a higher IL-4 mean values was observed in the study group compared to controls. CD56 and CD8 counts were higher in the study group compared to controls. However, no such difference was noted in cortisol levels. This pilot study provides data for further large-scale studies to examine the effect of easily deliverable mindfulness-based interventions among the healthcare community to improve their health and well-being.