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Immediate effect of trataka on blood pressure indices in individuals with primary hypertension — a randomized controlled trial
Affiliations- DM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada, India
open access
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hypertension control remains a major global challenge. Behavioral approaches recommended for blood pressure (BP) reduction include: stress reduction, increased exercise and healthy dietary habits. Some study findings suggest that yoga exerts beneficial cardiovascular effects including blood pressure alterations. This study was done to assess the effect of trataka, a yogic cleansing technique, on blood pressure and heart rate variables in patients with hypertension and thereby substantiate the clinical understanding of its effect on blood pressure.
Material and methods: A total of 60 subjects with primary hypertension (age 25–45 years) were randomized to the study. The yoga group practiced trataka for 30 minutes with guided instructions and the control group was asked to sit calmly for 30 minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and after the practice.
Results: The individuals who practiced trataka showed significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05), mean heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05), and mean RR (p < 0.05) after the procedure. There were no significant changes observed in the control group as compared to the yoga group.
Conclusion: The practice of trataka leads to significant reduction in blood pressure and heart rate in patients with primary hypertensive. Though trataka is considered as a cleansing technique, it induces calmness similar to a mental state during meditation. Evidently, both techniques bear the potential to reduce stress and, henceforth, blood pressure and heart rate.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Hypertension control remains a major global challenge. Behavioral approaches recommended for blood pressure (BP) reduction include: stress reduction, increased exercise and healthy dietary habits. Some study findings suggest that yoga exerts beneficial cardiovascular effects including blood pressure alterations. This study was done to assess the effect of trataka, a yogic cleansing technique, on blood pressure and heart rate variables in patients with hypertension and thereby substantiate the clinical understanding of its effect on blood pressure.
Material and methods: A total of 60 subjects with primary hypertension (age 25–45 years) were randomized to the study. The yoga group practiced trataka for 30 minutes with guided instructions and the control group was asked to sit calmly for 30 minutes. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before and after the practice.
Results: The individuals who practiced trataka showed significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p < 0.05), mean heart rate (HR) (p < 0.05), and mean RR (p < 0.05) after the procedure. There were no significant changes observed in the control group as compared to the yoga group.
Conclusion: The practice of trataka leads to significant reduction in blood pressure and heart rate in patients with primary hypertensive. Though trataka is considered as a cleansing technique, it induces calmness similar to a mental state during meditation. Evidently, both techniques bear the potential to reduce stress and, henceforth, blood pressure and heart rate.
Keywords
trataka; yoga; hypertension; blood pressure; heart rate variability; yogic visual technique
About this articleTitle
Immediate effect of trataka on blood pressure indices in individuals with primary hypertension — a randomized controlled trial
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
82-87
Published online
2021-06-15
Page views
1174
Article views/downloads
1036
DOI
Bibliographic record
Arterial Hypertension 2021;25(2):82-87.
Keywords
trataka
yoga
hypertension
blood pressure
heart rate variability
yogic visual technique
Authors
A S Kusuma
Nandeesh N S
Shivaprasad Shetty
Prashanth Shetty
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