EFFECT OF SLOW AND FAST PRANAYAMS ON GENDER SPECIFIC DIFFERENCE IN QTC INTERVAL OF HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Women physiologically have a longer QTc interval and are more likely to suffer from drug induced torsades de pointes and other forms of arrhythmia. The current treatment for fatal arrhythmia is mainly invasive. Hence, there is a need for some non-invasive preventive measure which can be advised to persons with long QTc. In the present study, we assessed the effect of slow and fast pranayams on QTc. Methods: 90 volunteers were recruited and informed consent was obtained from them. They were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n=30), kapalabhati group (n=30) and savitri pranayam group (n=30). At the beginning of the study period QTc was recorded during rest, deep breathing (DB) and isometric handgrip (IHG) at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Fast yogic breathing group were practiced kapalabhati whereas slow yogic breathing group were practiced Savitri pranayam for three months, after which QTc was recorded again during the same experimental conditions. One way ANOVA was used for baseline inter-group comparison. An unpaired‘t’ test was done to compare the values between male and female subjects. Results: Female subjects had a longer QTc which was uniformly observed in all the groups. In general, Practice of pranayam shortened the QT in both sexes. However, females responded better to both kapalabhati and savitri pranayam, whereas males were more responsive to the former. Interpretation & conclusion: From our study, both fast and slow pranayam were beneficial to both sexes. Therefore, pranayam can be advised in conditions with prolonged QTc. The results of this study therefore have strong clinical implications.