An Effectiveness of Holotropic Breathwork on Stress Management among Higher Secondary Students in Selected Schools of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Khushbu Sengar, Komal Patel, Kratika Verma, Kripa Kashyap, Kriti Yadav, Parveen Hina
World Journal of Current Medical and Pharmaceutical Research October 7, 2026 DOI: 10.37022/wjcmpr.v8i3.439 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Quasi-experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Higher secondary students at Sardar Patel Intermediate College, Mandhana, Kanpur, India |
| Intervention | Holotropic Breathwork |
| Measures | Modified perceived stress scale |
| Topics | Breathwork |
| Key findings | After Holotropic Breathwork, the share of students with moderate stress fell from 78% (47 of 60) to 25% (15 of 60), and the mean stress score dropped from 63.33 pre-test to 51.03 post-test. The authors report the practice was helpful for lowering stress and that religion and recreational activities were significantly associated with pre-test stress scores. |
Abstract
Holotropic Breathwork is a powerful, natural method of self-exploration and personal transformation. While the breath is ordinarily taken for granted, using the breath to turn inward using Holotropic Breathwork requires extraordinary intention, knowledge and support. Holotropic Breathwork uses sustained, deep breathing and a musical soundscape to direct attention away from the everyday mind and into the deep psyche. A Quasi experimental study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Holotropic breathwork on stress management among higher secondary students at selected schools of Kanpur. The research study was conducted in Sardar Patel Intermediate College, Mandhana, Kanpur.The present study was conducted to know the effectiveness of Holotropic Breathwork on stress management among higher secondary students, Kanpur, UP.In this study 60 samples were selected by using non-probability convenience sampling technique and the data was collected by using a Modified perceived stress scale. The data was collected and analyzed based on descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study showed that among 60 higher secondary students in the pre-test 13(22%) had mild stress, 47(78%) had moderate stress, 0(0%) had severe stress. After the pre-test "Holotropic breathwork” was provided for stress management among higher secondary students. In the post-test, out of 60 higher secondary students 45 (75%) had mild stress, 15 (25%) had moderate stress, 0 (0%) had severe stress. The mean score of pre-tests (63.33) it was more than the post-test mean score (51.03). "Holotropic breathwork” on stress management was very helpful to lowering the level of stress among higher secondary students in the association of socio-demographic variables with the pre-test stress score, the variables like religion and recreational activities were having significant association with the pre-test stress score. So, Null hypothesis H0 was rejected and Positive hypothesis H2 was accepted.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on breathwork, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of the breathworks mindfulness‐based pain management programme: effects on well‐being and multiple measures of mindfulness Chronic pain patients | 2009 | Pilot investigation; quasi-experimental with intervention and comparison groups | |
| Neural Correlates of Non-ordinary States of Consciousness in Pranayama Practitioners: The Role of Slow Nasal Breathing Experienced meditators | 2022 | Within-subjects comparison | n = 12 |
| Measure of Significance of Holotropic Breathwork in the Development of Self-Awareness. Participants referred from Danish Holotropic Breathwork facilitators, including 9... | 2015 | Quasi-experiment with multiple case studies and repeated measures | n = 20 |
| A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of Video Assisted Pranayama On Stress Among Students Of Selected College In Chennai College students at Saveetha College of Engineering, Chennai | 2026 | True experimental research design | n = 100 |
| IMPACT OF YOGASANA AND BHRAMARI PRANAYAMA ON SLEEP QUALITY AMONG EPILEPSY PATIENTS Epilepsy patients aged 18-50 years | 2026 | Quantitative experimental single-group pre-test/post-test | n = 35 |