Exploring the Impact of Pranayama on Emotional  Stability in Post-Graduate Students: Correlation  with Serum Cortisol and Haemoglobin Levels

Lakshmikant Nagar; Chintaharan Betal; Jairam Kushwaha; Archana Bhat

Lakshmikant Nagar Research Scholar, Department of Naturopathy & Yoga, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
Chintaharan Betal Assistant Professor, Department of Naturopathy & Yoga, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
Jairam Kushwaha Research Scholar, Department of Naturopathy & Yoga, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
Archana Bhat Research Scholar, Department of Naturopathy & Yoga, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

Keywords: Pranayama, Emotional Stability, Serum Cortisol, Haemoglobin

Abstract

Background: Postgraduate students (PGs) are often facing extreme pressure to excel academically and produce high-quality research, by which they often become the victim of emotional instability, stress and anxiety states. Pranayama breathing exercise (PBE), a traditional form of breathing exercises has been recommended to optimise psycho physiological health, i.e., body, mind and consciousness.
Aim: Hence, this research is meant to investigate the potential impact of PBE on serum cortisol (SC) and haemoglobin (Hb) levels of PGs; those are directly related to emotional instability.
Methods: Sixty participants with ages ranging from 21 to 24, meeting the eligibility requirements were randomly distributed into two equal groups i.e., 30 in the pranayama and control groups, respectively. The
pranayama group received 45 minutes of PBE daily for three months. Data collected at pre-phase, post-phase 1 and post-phase 2 by using the ESQ questionnaire and SC and Hb levels measured through lab tests. The SPSS version 2.5.11 (110) was applied for data analysis.
Results: No significant changes were recorded between the groups at pre-phase, whereas participants in the pranayama group (i) indicated a notably higher emotional stability (ES) at post-phase 1 (P=.019) and post-phase 2 (P<.001), (ii) significant reduction of SC level at post phase 1 (P<.001) and post-phase 2 (P<.001) and (iii) also confirmed a significantly higher Hb level at post-phase 1 (P<.001) and post-phase 2 (P<.001) as vis-a-vis to the control group.
Conclusion: The result confirmed that PBE improved ES by minimising the SC level and increasing Hb level efficiency, benefiting oxygen transport to body cells, which indicates stress reduction, parasympathetic dominance and enhanced physiological well-being.

How to cite this article:
Nagar L, Betal C, Kushwaha J, Bhatt A. Exploring
the Impact of Pranayama on Emotional Stability in
Post-Graduate Students: Correlation with Serum
Cortisol and Haemoglobin Levels. Chettinad
Health City Med J. 2025;14(2):46-54

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2278.2044.202523

Author Biography

Archana Bhat, Research Scholar, Department of Naturopathy & Yoga, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India

Research Scholar, Department of Naturopathy and Yoga, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, (Uttarakhand)

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