Immediate Effect of Anulom - Vilom Pranayama on Selected Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Parameters in Post COVID-19 Individuals - An Experimental Study

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by novel coronavirus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) Since December 2019. Practice of pranayama has been known to modulate cardiac autonomic status with an improvement in cardiorespiratory functions. The present study is designed to determine whether ANULOM VILOM pranayama practice for 20 minutes will have on immediate effect on HR, SBP and DBP, peak expiratory flow rate or not. Aim: The aim of study is to examine the immediate effect of ANULOM VILOM pranayama on selected of cardiovascular, pulmonary parameters in post COVID-19 individuals. Method: Bachelor of Physiotherapy students aged 17-20 years who had suffered from COVID-19 were included. They were screened by an average body mass index. There were two GROUP A & B. In group A, a recording was done before and immediately after performing 20 minutes ANULOM VILOM pranayama and 10 minutes quiet breathing. In group B, a recording was done before performing quiet breathing in any comfortable sitting posture and immediately after 20 minutes quiet breathing with closed eyes. Results: The baseline heart rates, blood pressure, peak expiratory flow rate, were compared. In GROUP A, changes were seen in cardiovascular parameters in that significant decline in heart rate (Pless than 0.0001) and peak expiratory flow rate improved significantly (Pless than 0.01) was observed. In contrast, both groups displayed no significant changes were seen in heart rate, SBP & DBP and peak expiratory flow rate. Conclusion: The present study concluded that there is immediate effect of anulom vilom pranayama on selected cardiovascular and pulmonary parameters in post COVID- 19 individuals. Result suggested decrease in heart rate and improved peak expiratory flow rate after 20 min of anulom vilom pranayama. Limitation: Due to time limitations, we could not include a greater number of the students in this study.