Effect of six months pranayama training on stress-induced salivary cortisol response among adolescents-Randomized controlled study.
K Maheshkumar, K Dilara, P Ravishankar, A Julius, R Padmavathi, S Poonguzhali, V Venugopal
Explore August 3, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.07.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Healthy adolescents aged 11 to 19 |
| Duration | 45 minutes, three times a week for six months; saliva samples collected at baseline and 20, 40, and 60 minutes after the cold pressor test at baseline and at six months |
| Measures | salivary cortisol |
| Topics | Meditation Breathwork |
| Keywords | Humans Hydrocortisone Yoga Research design Child Young adult Stress Adolescents Cold pressor test Salivary cortisol Bhramari pranayama |
| Key findings | Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, adolescents practicing Bhramari pranayama for six months showed a higher salivary cortisol response 20 minutes after the cold pressor test than controls, but a significant reduction at 60 minutes. The authors interpret this initial rise followed by a rapid fall below baseline as an indication of adaptive capability achieved through regular yoga training. |
Abstract
Background: A combination of yoga practices has been documented to reduce stress and stress-induced cortisol levels. The objective of the current study is to examine the effects of six months of a single pranayama practice (Bhramari [Bhr. P]) on reducing salivary cortisol response to the cold pressor test (CPT) among adolescents.
Methods: Twenty-six healthy adolescents between the ages of 11 and 19 were randomly assigned to either yoga group (n-13) or control group (n-13). Yoga group participants were trained to do Bhr. P for 45 min, thrice a week for six months. All participants underwent CPT at baseline and at end of six months. Saliva samples were collected at baseline (t0), at 20 min (t1), 40 min (t2), and 60 min after the CPT (t3).
Results: Contradictory to our hypothesis, participants in the yoga group exhibited a higher salivary cortisol response to the CPT at t1 (p = 0.04) when compared to the control group. However, the t3 salivary cortisol levels showed a statistically significant reduction (p = 0.03) in yoga group when compared to the control group. A significant interaction with time (F (1, 88) = 316.5, p = .001, ηp2:0.91) and between the group × time (F (3, 88) = 2.83, p = 0.04, ηp2:0.8) was found after the intervention.
Conclusions: An increase in the cortisol responsiveness observed in the study is an indication of the adaptive capability achieved through regular yoga training, evidenced by an initial rise in cortisol followed by a rapid fall below baseline after 60 min. Further research is required to conclusively determine the changes in cortisol levels over time in response to stress in long-term yoga practitioners.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on breathwork, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Significant Impact of Traditional Yogic Practices with and Without OM Chanting on Psychometric Indices and Academic Performance among Adolescent Girls Physical rehabilitation and recreational health technologies August 30, 2026
- Neuroplasticity and the Breath Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga May 9, 2026