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Influence of Preksha Meditation on Blood Profile of Adults
By:
Pradyumna Singh Shekhavat* Yuvaraj Singh Khangarot** & Dr. J.P.N. Mishra***
*&**: Dept. of SOL, PM & Yoga, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun
***: Professor & Head, Dept. of SOL, PM & Yoga, Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun.
Introduction
Meditation is a word that has been used in variety of ways but all of them define it as thinking contemplation, concentrating mind on a object, paying attention etc. But in the tents propounded by Lord Mahaveer "Perceive and Know" is given more prominence because perception is strictly concerned with the phenomenon of the present, neither past nor future. He stated "Sampikkhae appagamappaenam" means 'see the self' or perceive and realize yourself, which later becomes the principle of the Jain Yoga tradition and formulated as Preksha Meditation by Late Acharya Tulsi and Acharya Mahaprajna.
Material & Methods
40 healthy adults in the age group of 25 to 30 years was selected on random basis and divided into two groups, each containing 20 subjects. Best of possible efforts were made to include the subjects having similar socio-economic status. However, qualifications and professional uniformity could not be taken into consideration because of local geographical constraints. The 1st group of 2o subjects named experimental group was exposed to selected Preksha meditation practice module for 50 minutes once a day for 90 days and 2nd group of 20 subjects named control group live their routine life and no intervention was given to them.
- Experimental intervention module was comprised of following Preksha meditation components.
- Kayotsarga- 10 minutes
- Deergha Shwasa Preksha - 20 minutes
- Jyothi Kendra Preksha - 20 minutes
- On the 1st day of experiment, the subjects reported at our laboratory in the morning after overnight fast. The laboratory temperature was maintained 27° ± 2°C. All the measurements were taken in the resting supine position. All the tests were again carried out after 90 days by using same methods in both control and experimental group of subjects.
- In this study, both inter group and intra group comparisons were made with the aim to evaluate the net effect of Preksha Meditation practice module vis-a-vis normal activity. One tailed Sadler's 'A' test and students 'T' test were applied for intra and inter group comparison respectively and graded significance level was denoted as P = 0.05 (*), which was taken from probability significant task.
RESULT
Blood Glucose:
The blood glucose has shown a similar range of values in both control and experimental group of subjects at 0 day of observation which was quite obvious because none of the subjects of these two groups were given any specific treatment. The basal mean fasting blood sugar levels were 81.3529 ± 4.73467 and 81.1176 ± 4.66947 mg/dl in control group and experimental group respectively.
After 90 days of the experiment, a sharp decline was noticed in the fasting blood sugar in the experimental group of subjects where the mean value was reported to be 79.7059 ± 3.92760 mg/dl. The difference was statistically significant. However, in the control group the mean blood sugar at 90 days was 80.7941 ± 4.09567 mg/dl, which was satisfactorily significant. Both groups are at homogeneity as no significant difference was there at pre-stage, but after 90 days a significant difference was there in mean values of both groups.
Hemoglobin:
The basal values of hemoglobin in blood of both control and experimental group were 12.4412 ± 1.07847 gm/dl and 12.3824 ± 0.77907 gm/dl respectively. The mean value of hemoglobin in experimental group slightly increases after 90 days of practice of Preksha meditation and the change was statistically significant. In control group of subjects the mean values remain almost in similar range without any statistical significance. Inter group comparison of the mean values of hemoglobin in experimental and control group of subjects at different phases shown in table 2 has not shown any significant change was there at 0 day as well as after 90 days.
ESR:
ESR mean values of both control and experimental group at 0 day were 8.3500 ± 1.05061 mm/hr and 8.4294 ±1.04433 mm/hr. after 90 days of Preksha meditation intervention the mean value was recorded to be decreased to 8.2000 ± 0.95759 mm/hr, in experimental group and the difference was statistically significant. In the control group of subjects, no such decline was noticed. After 90 days, a significant difference was observed in mean values of ESR in between both groups.
RBC:
At the onset of the experiment, the RBC count of the experimental group of subjects was 5.282 ± 0.3973 million/mm3 and it increased up to 5.317 ± 0.4253 after 90 days of Preksha meditation practice. This change was statistically significant at p = 0.05 level. But the same in control group of subjects was 5.138 ± 0.4397 at onset and came to be 5.135 ± 0.3922 at 90 days a significant difference was noticed in mean values of RBC count in both groups.
VLDL:
The mean serum VLDL level in control group of subjects was estimated to be 34.8059 ±2.20604 and34.9588 ± 2.08822 mg/dl at 0 and 90 respectively. The mean serum VLDL values of experimental group of subjects were found to be 34.7059 ± 1.96961 and 34.3824 ± 1.88864 mg/dl at 0 and 90 day. Both groups were at homogeneity as no significant difference was there at pre stage; follow up schedule of 90 days has shown a significant difference in mean values of VLDL in both groups.
LDL:
The serum LDL profile of control group of subjects has shown an increased trend. The mean value of LDL in control group of subjects was found to be 109.0471 ± 5.29266 at 0 day. At subsequent observation period of 90 days, it was reported to be 108.9235 ± 4.55725 mg/dl. However in experimental group of subjects, there was a decline in the mean LDL values. On 0 day, the mean LDL value was 110.1176 ± 4.46702 mg/dl and at the end of 90 days, the mean LDL value was 107.5588 ± 4.25855. Similar significant changes were visible after 90 days.
HDL:
The quantitative values of HDL in the control group of subjects remain in almost same range throughout the duration of study. It was 38.0882 ± 2.82164 mg/dl at 0 day and 38.2941 ± 2.26340 at 90 days. In the experimental group of subjects, the mean value of HDL at 0 day was 38.1765 ± 2.52827 mg/dl. It raised to 38.7059 ± 2.32936 mg/dl, which was found to be significant when compared to the counterpart mean value of the experimental group at 0 day. Both groups were at homogeneity as no significant difference was there at pre-stage, but after 90 days, a significant difference was there in mean value s of both groups.
Triglyceride:
The control group of subjects has shown almost constant level of serum triglyceride during the different follow up periods, the mean values being 174.0294 ± 10.44112. contrary to that there was a decline in the triglyceride in the experimental group of subjects after 90 days. The mean serum triglyceride level in this group on 0 day was estimated to be 173.5294 ± 9084804 mg/dl. However, at 90 days, the mean value was 171.9118 ± 9.44319.
Total Cholesterol:
The mean value of total serum cholesterol in control group of subjects was found to be 181.9412 ± 6.34341 mg/dl, where as in experimental group of subjects it was 183.000 ± 5.07519 mg/dl. After 90 days of experimental intervention the total cholesterol in experimental group was reduced to 180.6471 ± 4.76020 mg/dl. This difference was statistically significant. However in control group of subjects, no such reduction was noticed. Inter group assessment have also shown significant difference in the mean values of TC of both control and experimental groups.
Summary of discussion:
The RBCs and Hemoglobin concentration is important clinical indicator because they determine the amount of oxygen that blood can carry. Three of the most common measurements are hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and RBC count. Findings of our study have shown increased RBC count and quantitative hemoglobin level following experimental intervention. Such changes are probably maintained through a biphasic mechanism - (1) by enhancing the production of normal hematopoietic growth factor thereby enhancing the RBC production and (2) by maintaining the normal life span of existing RBCs. This may be because more proactive role of perception of psychic center (Jyotikendra Preksha) which would have probably influenced the stem cells in red bone marrow.
- This hypothesis is in the conformity of the findings reported by Shekhavat and who have elaborated that the RBC production is influenced by certain enzymatic factor related with hematopoietic growth factors - Erythropoietin.
- The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is being used as a screening test for wide variety of infections, inflammations and certain other pathological states.
- Our findings have exhibited a decrease in ESR following the experimental intervention, which may be taken as the enhancement of the anti-inflammatory immune capacity. The results of this study support the view that Preksha Meditation modulates the neurotransmitter and hormonal profile through the activation of neuro-hormonal complex mechanism.
- Preksha Meditation causes inhibition of sympathetic nervous system and activation of parasympathetic nervous system, which ultimately decreases the metabolic rate. This may probably be the reason of lower blood glucose level.
- Minimum level of energy is required by brain and retina during the practice of Preksha Meditation because both these organs are remaining in dormant phase. This may be the reason that lower blood glucose level might have been reached following the practice of Preksha Meditation.
- Quantitative profile of total cholesterol, triglyceride and differential cholesterol have shown a specific trend of change. Total cholesterol ,triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) were found to be on lower side that too with a statistical significance, where as high density lipoprotein (HDL) was reported to be increased significantly in the experimental group of subjects practicing Preksha Meditation practice module.
- Our findings with Preksha Meditation are same lines supporting the hypothesis of alteration in the function of hypothalamus-pituitary combine following yogic practices. Further these two hormones directly activate hormone sensitive triglyceride lipase that is present in abundance in the fat cells and this cause very rapid break down of triglyceride and mobilization of fatty acids. Experimental intervention i.e. Preksha Meditation practice most probably initiates the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in alteration not only in fat mobilizations but also increased ratio of high density lipoprotein to low density lipoprotein.
- Hormones are the primary regulators of fat metabolism and some important hormones which are involved in this process are insulin, glucagon, epinephrine, nor epinephrine, human growth hormone and thyroxin.
Conclusion:
On the basis of the findings of this study it may be inferred that regular Preksha Meditation practice, even for short duration, helps in bringing qualitative changes in blood profile which is a detrimental biochemical compound involved in various metabolic processes responsible for the state of physiological health and well being.
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