Effect of Different Pranayama Breathing Techniques on Quality of Life in Hypertensive Patients

Effect of Bhramari Versus Sheetali Pranayama on Quality of Life in Hypertensive Patients

The purpose of the current study is to compare between the effect of Bhramari pranayama versus Sheetali pranayama on quality of life in hypertensive patients.

People with hypertension have poorer sleep quality, less physical activity and more psychological stress than those with normal blood pressure. It has been shown that sleep affects vitality and health status and that sleep problems affect daily functioning and QOL, and so it can be assumed that in patients with hypertension, sleep problems will have a negative effect on QOL (Uchmanowicz et al., 2019).

Yogic breathing exercises are known as Pranayamas and are considered a form of meditation in itself, as well as a preparation for deep meditation. They promote physical well-being and self-awareness, improve lung and cognitive capacities, reduce blood pressure, anxiety, and other psychosomatic patterns, probably by increasing the parasympathetic tone. Pranayama alone has demonstrated numerous beneficial health effects, including stress relief, beneficial cardiovascular effect, improved respiratory function, and enhanced cognition (Jayawardena et al.,2020 ).

Since there is no study examined effect of Bhramari versus Sheetali on quality of life, physical fitness and stress in hypertensive elderly, this study aimed to examine this comparison.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Sixty elderly are selected from both sexes. 2-Their age ranges from 60-75 years old. 3-Hypertensive patients (SBP is 140 -159 mmHg and/or DBP is 90-99 mmHg).

4-Their body mass index (BMI) ranged from < 30kg/m2. 5-All patients are medically stable.

Exclusion Criteria:

• - patients with cardiac problems e.g. atrial fibrillation, left bundle-branch block, heart failure, Recent myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, or participation in cardiac rehabilitation following bypass surgery.

  2- Patients with history, symptoms of, and/or laboratory reports suggestive of renal, neurologic, or hepatic complications.

  3-Patients who have difficulty in rolling the tongue for Sheetali practice as stroke or Bell's palsy.

  4- Tongue swelling in case of acromegaly, amyloidosis, Myxedema and tongue cancer.

  5- Tongue pain in case of diabetic neuropathy, mouth ulcers, oral cancer and burn in the mouth.

  6- Chronic smokers and alcoholics. 7- Severe ear infections that interfere with bhramari breathing.