The Effect of Yoga Nidra Intervention on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability Among Hypertensive Adults: A Single-arm Intervention Trial
Navdeep Ahuja, Monika Pathania, Latika Mohan, S. Mittal, Praag Bhardwaj, Minakshi Dhar
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pre-post intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Adults with essential hypertension attending a Lifestyle Disease Clinic (mean age 43 years; 22 males, 10 females) |
| Intervention | Yoga Nidra |
| Duration | Single 16-minute session, assessed before and after |
| Key points | A single 16-minute Yoga Nidra session was followed by significant reductions in systolic (7 mmHg) and diastolic (6 mmHg) blood pressure and significant increases in heart rate variability parameters. Regression analysis showed that the blood pressure reduction could be explained by increases in heart rate variability, which the authors interpret through the Neurovisceral Integration Model. |
Abstract
Background: Hypertension [blood pressure (BP) >130/80 mmHg] contributes significantly to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle modifications, including mindfulness-based practices like Yoga, meditation, and relaxation techniques, have emerged as promising adjuncts to pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to explore the acute effects of Yoga Nidra (YN) on BP in essential hypertension and the potential mechanisms of the effect of YN on BP, in the form of changes in heart rate variability (HRV) components.
Methods: A total of 32 hypertensive individuals (mean age: 43 ±0.54 years; 22 males, 10 females) were enrolled at the Lifestyle Disease Clinic. Patients were provided regular consultation and pharmacotherapy. BP and HRV were assessed before and after a 16-minute YN session. HRV parameters included time and frequency domain measures. Statistical analysis included linear regression to study the relationship of components of HRV with those of the changes in BP.
Results: Following YN intervention, there was a significant reduction in both systolic BP (SBP) (7 mmHg) and diastolic BP (DBP) (6 mmHg). HRV analysis revealed significant increases. Regression analysis showed changes in SBP having significant coefficients.
Conclusions: A single session of YN reduced the systolic and diastolic BP and increased HRV parameters. Regression analyses showed that the reduction in BP can be explained by an increase in HRV parameters. Thus, this study demonstrates the positive effect of YN as an intervention for essential hypertension and also the potential mechanisms behind it, which can be explained by the Neurovisceral Integration Model.