1Deputy Director, Department of Physiology and Director, Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research (CYTER), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute (MGMCRI), Pillayarkuppam, Pondicherry
2Coordinator-cum-Yoga Therapist, Department of Physiology and Director, Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research (CYTER), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute (MGMCRI), Pillayarkuppam, Pondicherry
3Professor and Head, Department of Physiology and Director, Centre for Yoga Therapy, Education & Research (CYTER), Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute (MGMCRI), Pillayarkuppam, Pondicherry
4IInd Year Student, MSc (Nursing), Kasturba Gandhi Nursing College, MGMCRI Campus, Pillayarkuppam, Pondicherry
This pilot study was done to determine effects of a single session of yogic relaxation on cardiovascular parameters in a transgender population.
Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) measurements were recorded in 106 transgender participants (mean age of 23.86 ± 7.87 y) attending a yogic relaxation program at CYTER, MGMCRI. Participants practised a series of techniques consisting of quiet sitting, om chanting, mukha bhastrika, nadi shuddhi, brahma mudra, pranava pranayama in sitting posture and savitri pranayama in shavasana. HR, systolic (SP) and diastolic pressure (DP) were recorded before and after the 60 minute session using non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) apparatus. Pulse pressure (PP), mean pressure (MP), rate-pressure product (RPP) and double product (DoP) indices were derived from recorded parameters. Student's paired t test was used to compare data that passed normality testing and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test for others. P values less than 0.05 were accepted as indicating significant differences for pre-post comparisons.
All recorded cardiovascular parameters witnessed a reduction following the session. This was statistically more significant (p < 0. 0001) in HR, MP, RPP and DoP and significant (p = 0.002) in SP.
There is a healthy reduction in HR, BP and derived cardiovascular indices following a single yogic relaxation session in a transgender population. These changes may be aributed to enhanced harmony of cardiac autonomic function as a result of mind-body relaxation program. It is suggested that an open and non-hostile environment is conducive for obtaining such a state of psychosomatic relaxation and that such opportunities for transgender participants should be created in all healthcare facilities.
Yoga, cardiovascular, relaxation, transgender
