Vaibhav Madhukar Kapre* and Vijayakumar M
Background
With increased awareness and interest in health and natural remedies yogic techniques including “Pranayama” now gaining importance and becoming increasingly acceptable to scientific community. The present study was intended to establish the efficacy of Pranayama that is Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) on some selected autonomic function parameters i.e. pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and Peak Flow in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), along with Pursed Lip Breathing.
Method
Quashi experimental study design was used in this study. Data were collected. Male COPD patients (n = 41) from Pad DY Patil Medical College & Hospital were randomly assigned to either group A (n = 20) or group B (n = 21). Both the groups were asked to perform PURSED LIP BREATHING (PLB) in common and group B were asked to perform ANB (nadi - shodhan) for 10 minutes twice a day for consecutive 2 weeks. Outcome measure that is radial pulsed rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, peak flow (PEFR) was taken before and after the study.
Result
In PLB group respiratory rate there was significant improve (p < 0.0005), whereas in pulse rate, blood pressure, no significant change occur, (p > 0.05). In PEFR, there was ext. significant improvement were found (p < 0.0005). In Experimental group respiratory rate, pulse rate, PEFR, significant improvement occurs (p < 0.0005). Whereas in Systolic blood pressure. Considerable significant improvement was seen (p < 0.05). The comparison of Diastolic blood pressure. shows no significant change (p > 0.05) Inter group comparison shows that Systolic BP & PEFR difference were extremely (p < 0.0005) and highly significant (p < 0.005) respectively. Whereas RR difference is considerable significant (p = 0.05).
Conclusion
Alternate Nostril Breathing improves autonomic dysfunction in COPD patients. Also there is improvement in respiratory function. Pranayama i.e. and can be an adjunct to Pursed Lip Breathing in Physiotherapy management of COPD.
