Sudarshan Kriya Yoga for Improving Antioxidant Status and Reducing Anxiety in Adults
Vaishali Agte, Shashi Chiplonkar
Alternative and Complementary Therapies April 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1089/act.2008.14204 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 37 |
| Population | Apparently healthy adult volunteers in a free-living population in Pune, India |
| Intervention | Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) |
| Duration | 2-month study period with 6-day initial training and 7 weeks of daily 30-minute sessions plus weekly 75-minute sessions |
| Measures | State and trait anxiety scores, patience score, blood levels of glucose, lipids, zinc, superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (plasma malondialdehyde, MDA) |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Citations | 55 |
| Key findings | Two months of SKY practice significantly reduced anxiety and stress scores, increased antioxidant capacity as measured by SOD, and lowered triglycerides. Subjective improvements included well-being (67%), sleep quality (50%), and enthusiasm (33%). Daily practice was more effective for anxiety than weekly sessions. |
Abstract
Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) is a practice designed to minimize stress in living. We conducted a study among adults in a free-living population in Pune, India, to evaluate the effect of 2 months of SKY practice on health and behavior. The study involved 37 apparently healthy adult volunteers who were given a 6-day course of training in rhythmic breathing, meditation, yogic postures, interactive discussions for attitude training, and adherence to a vegetarian diet, followed with 7 weeks of short, 30-minute daily sessions of practice of SKY and once-weekly 75-minute sessions of SKY. State and trait anxiety scores and patience score were used as behavioral outcome measures, together with assessment of daily diet, micronutrient intakes, blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, assessment of morbidity, and measurement of blood levels of glucose, lipids, zinc, superoxide dismutase (SOD) as an indicator of antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation. The scores and other measures were recorded at the beginning and again at the end of the 2-month study period. Practice of SKY for 2 months was accompanied by a significant reduction in anxiety score (P = 0.039) and stress score (P = 0.017), and by marginal improvement in patience score (P = 0.134). Although no significant changes in diet pattern were seen, a significant increase in antioxidant capacity as SOD was observed after SKY practice (P < 0.00001), as was also a reduction in triglycerides (P = 0.025). A marginal reduction was observed in oxidative stress as reflected by plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (P = 0.20). A sense of well being was reported by 67% of the subjects, improved sleep quality was reported by 50%, and 33% experienced increased enthusiasm for doing their work. Regular practice of SKY for 30 minutes per day across the 2-month study period reduced the anxiety score to a greater extent than did less-frequent, once-weekly practice for 75 minutes. We conclude that SKY is helpful as a regimen with which normal individuals can maintain health.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Oxygen Consumption Changes With Yoga Practices Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine July 17, 2013
- Sudarshan Kriya Meditation Reduces Substance Abuse Cravings and Improves Physical and Emotional Well-Being of Individuals With Opioid Use Disorder: A Pilot Study. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services August 1, 2023
- Sudarshan kriya yoga and its effects on sleep: A systematic review of a breathing technique for sleep improvement Journal of Applied Consciousness Studies 2024
- Controlled Rhythmic Yogic Breathing as Complementary Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military Veterans: A Case Series. Medical acupuncture August 1, 2017
- Workload regulation by Sudarshan Kriya: an EEG and ECG perspective. Brain Informatics March 2017
and 2 more in the library