EFFECT OF CYCLIC RAJYOGA MEDITATION AND BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHITTODWEGA (POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DIS-ORDER): A CASE STUDY

A 48-year-old woman with severe psychological disturbances after her son's traumatic death showed remarkable reductions in stress, agitation, fear, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disturbances after a 15-day supervised yogic intervention combining cyclic Raj yoga meditation, Bhramari Pranayama, deep abdominal breathing, and Om chanting. Assessments using the Perceived Stress Scale, PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version, and Ayurvedic symptom scoring of Chittodvega parameters documented these improvements. The case suggests that yogic mind–body practices may help regulate autonomic responses, reduce trauma-associated symptoms, stabilize Prana Vata, and promote emotional resilience in conditions resembling PTSD.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Chittodvega, described in Ayurvedic literature as a Vata-dominant Manasika Vyadhi, closely resembles Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to its shared features of mental agitation, fear, intrusive thoughts, irritabil-ity, and insomnia. This case study evaluates the therapeutic effect of cyclic Raj yoga meditation, Bhramari Pra-nayama, deep abdominal breathing, and Om chanting on a 48-year-old woman who developed severe psycholog-ical disturbances following the traumatic death of her son. A 15-day supervised yogic intervention was administered. Assessment was carried out using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version (PCL-C), and Ayurvedic symptom scoring of Chit-todvega parameters (Bhaya, Udvega, Chinta, Anidra, Kshobha). Post-intervention findings showed a remarkable reduction in stress levels, agitation, fear, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disturbances. The study highlights the potential role of yogic mind–body practices in regulating autonomic responses, reducing trauma-associated symptoms, stabilising Prana Vata, and promoting emotional resilience.