Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine

Effects of yogic breath regulation: A narrative review of scientific evidence

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine February 2, 2018 Apar Avinash Saoji, B.r. Raghavendra, N. K. Manjunath 185 citations

A comprehensive overview of scientific literature on yogic breathing (pranayama) finds that these techniques produce beneficial effects on neurocognitive, psychophysiological, respiratory, biochemical, and metabolic functions in healthy individuals and are useful in managing various clinical conditions. The review, which included experimental papers, case studies, and case series from 1400 references, concludes that yogic breathing is safe when practiced under the guidance of a trained teacher. The authors call for further large-scale studies with rigorous designs to understand the underlying mechanisms.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.008 Breathing exercises Neurocognitive Narrative review Physical therapy +5

Role of yoga in stress management and implications in major depression disorder.

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine January 1, 2023 53 citations

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects over 340 million people and is a leading cause of disability. Chronic stress, defined as the perceived inability to cope, is a key risk factor that triggers psychological and physiological changes, including inflammation, autonomic dysfunction, and neurotransmitter imbalance. Yoga can reduce depressive symptoms by alleviating stress, lowering inflammation, maintaining autonomic balance, and influencing the HPA axis, GABA, limbic system activity, and inflammatory and endocrine responses. When combined with antidepressants, yoga helps reduce depressive symptoms in MDD patients, making it an ideal complementary and alternative therapy for mental health disorders.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100767 Full text Depression Meditation Cam Mental health +2

Effect of yoga and mindfulness on psychological correlates in young athletes: A meta-analysis.

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine January 1, 2023 Satish Kanaujia, Priyanka Saraswati, Anshu et al. 25 citations

A meta-analysis of 15 studies found that yoga and mindfulness practices significantly improve mindfulness and flow state in athletes aged 18–45, while reducing stress. The effect on mindfulness showed a mean difference of -2.6 (95% CI, -3.85 to -1.37), and flow state showed a standardized mean difference of 3.13 (95% CI, 2.48 to 3.77). Stress reduction was also significant (SMD -0.74, 95% CI, -0.97 to -0.52). However, effects on attention and awareness, action and acceptance, and anxiety were not statistically significant. The analysis suggests yoga and mindfulness offer complementary benefits for athletes' psychological health and performance.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100725 Full text Anxiety Mindfulness Athletes Sports performance +2

Effect of Heartfulness meditation based integrative therapy on infertility outcomes: A retrospective case series evaluation.

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine January 1, 2023 Snehal Deshpande, Kamlesh D Patel, Tejal Parulkar et al. 7 citations

In India, infertility carries social stigma that often prevents couples from seeking support, increasing psychological distress. A retrospective series evaluated a Heartfulness-based integrative therapy combining a 5-day lifestyle workshop and online meditation sessions among 54 couples (mean female age 30.74, male age 34.03). Of these, 15 couples had male infertility, 16 female infertility, 5 both, and 18 unexplained infertility. 24 couples conceived: 18 naturally, five through assisted reproductive technology, and one spontaneous abortion. The program appeared beneficial for those who followed it as prescribed, suggesting Heartfulness meditation may support fertility outcomes, though causal relationships require future randomized controlled trials.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2023.100793 Full text Meditation Assisted reproductive technology Heartfulness Infertility +2

Development and validation of Nadamay meditation: A sound-based protocol for psychosocial well-being

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine July 1, 2026 Megha Pundir, Arjun Ram Roj, Sanjib Patra

A structured meditation protocol called Nadamay, based on ancient Nada yoga principles from the Nada Bindu Upanishad, was developed and validated for promoting psychosocial well-being. Twenty-one subject matter experts reviewed seven meditation steps using Content Validity Ratio and Item-level Content Validity Index methods. All steps showed acceptable to excellent content validity, with CVR scores from 0.52 to 1.0 and I-CVI scores from 0.76 to 1.0. The overall Scale-level Content Validity Index Average was 0.92, confirming excellent content validity. The authors caution that further feasibility and safety testing is needed before widespread implementation due to energizing practices like Kapalbhati.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2026.101375 Psychosocial Protocol science Content validity Mindfulness meditation +5

The neurophysiological effects of yogic meditation observed in electroencephalography patterns and neurotransmitter levels: A narrative review of scientific evidence.

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine January 1, 2026 Sunil Singh Yadav, Simran Mittal, Sangeeth Somanadhapai et al.

Yogic meditation, which involves focused awareness, appears to promote coherent brainwave activity and modulate neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, according to a narrative review of 21 peer-reviewed articles. The reviewed studies suggest that these changes may reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and provide pain relief and autonomic stability. However, the findings remain preliminary and require more well-designed confirmation.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101312 Full text Meditation Brainwave Electroencephalography Neurotransmitters +1