Effects of an 8-week intervention of anulom vilom pranayama combined with heartfulness meditation on psychological stress, autonomic function, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic

Main Goal and Fundamental Concept:

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week intervention combining anulom vilom pranayama (a yogic breathing technique) with Heartfulness meditation on psychological stress, autonomic function, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying hypothesis posited that this integrative mind-body practice could mitigate stress and improve physiological parameters associated with stress responses.

Technical Approach:

This randomized controlled trial enrolled healthcare workers and assigned them to either the intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in an 8-week program involving daily sessions of anulom vilom pranayama and Heartfulness meditation. The control group continued with their routine activities without any added intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after the 8-week period, measuring psychological stress levels, autonomic function (through heart rate variability), inflammatory biomarkers (such as C-reactive protein), and oxidative stress markers.

Distinctive Features:

This study uniquely combined a traditional yogic breathing technique with a modern meditation practice, targeting both psychological and physiological aspects of stress. The focus on healthcare workers during the pandemic adds relevance, addressing a population under significant stress. Additionally, the comprehensive assessment of both subjective (psychological stress) and objective (biomarkers) outcomes provides a holistic view of the intervention's impact.

Experimental Setup and Results:

Participants in the intervention group engaged in daily sessions of anulom vilom pranayama and Heartfulness meditation for 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments revealed significant reductions in psychological stress scores, improvements in heart rate variability indicating better autonomic function, decreased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, and reduced oxidative stress markers in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Advantages and Limitations:

Advantages:

• Integrative approach addressing both mind and body aspects of stress.
• Non-pharmacological, low-cost intervention with minimal side effects.
• Applicability to high-stress populations, such as healthcare workers.

Limitations:

• The study's sample size may limit generalizability.
• Lack of long-term follow-up to assess the sustainability of benefits.
• Potential placebo effects not fully accounted for due to the nature of the intervention.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrates that an 8-week program combining anulom vilom pranayama and Heartfulness meditation can effectively reduce psychological stress and improve physiological markers associated with stress among healthcare workers. This integrative, non-invasive approach offers a promising strategy for stress management in high-risk populations, particularly during challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods is warranted to confirm and expand upon these findings.