|
|
Untitled Document
Part 1: Indian Approach to the Understanding of Human Mind
Part 2: The Effect of Yogic Relaxation after CABG – A Randomized Control Study
By
Vinayachandra B K
ABSTRACT
Part 1: Indian Approach to the Understanding of Human Mind
The title of the present investigation might arouse some curiosity among the minds of the readers. The very first question that arises in this respect is whether India produced any psychology in the real sense of the term, or in the sense of the term has been used in the west. . We have been talking of Indian philosophy, Indian religion, Indian culture etc., but not Indian psychology. It is a fact that ‘mind’ has never been considered as an independent entity in India, but an annexe of the self, as an instrument of action. ‘The science of mind’ is an outcome of the science and philosophy of the self, and hence all the psychological principles are outcome of the philosophical doctrines. Very little attention has been paid so far to the gathering of purely psychological data from the philosophical literature. This monograph attempts to bring out some salient features of Indian thinking in understanding human mind. The scope of the present investigation is only limited to philosophical literature and hence other realms of Sanskrit literature, such as kavya, etc., have not been touched.
MENTAL HEALTH
The principles of Yoga lead us to the most reliable therapeutic measures and a sound system of building mental health. The stress and strains of life in the present century are too heavy to enable even the man of strong will to make full adjustment with his family environment, occupational environment and social environment. Shocks, prolonged disease, accidents, sudden onslaught of poverty, loss of occupation, sudden insecurity, sudden death of near and dear one, destruction of life and property in calamities, besides the eternal miseries of old age, disease and death, present a dire challenge to the delicate and sensitive human mind. Patanjali provides us the recipe to meet the challenge, and destroy the miseries of the world. Firstly, the constant practice of truth is to be had. Secondly, an attitude of friendliness, compassion, gladness and indifference towards misery and happiness is to be cultivated. Thirdly, regular practice in concentration on higher principles should be done. This strengthens will power and mental capacities. Meditation steadies the mind, develops inherent powers and builds strength to endure shocks of life. The cause of majority of the cases of heart failures, neurosis, psychosis, schizophrenia and insanity is lack of mental resistance of shocks to life. Meditation builds that resistance. Yoga claims complete cure of the hardest of the neurotics and insane lunatics.
Self-analysis and control of mental activity
Yoga teaches self-analysis, as the sure method of modification of the mind. Self realization is the fundamental goal of life according to Advaita. Self-analysis is different from psycho-analysis. In the latter it is the psychologist who plays the active part, but here the person concerned himself takes the initiative. The subject matter of Yoga is modification and control of the fluctuation of the mind. Through the eight-fold ladder of Yoga, the mind is controlled, the karmic matter is resolved and emancipation is achieved. Bauddha and Jaina prescribe similar path of penance. The physical and mental austerity of Jaina corresponds to thr ladder of Yoga. Indian psychology is thus not only a positive science, but also a normative science, leading to the understanding as well as control of mind.
Part 2: The Effect of Yogic Relaxation after CABG – A Randomized Control Study
Background:
Complementary therapies have been used with beneficial effects in the post-operative period after Coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG). The aim of present study was to know the effect of Yogic Deep Relaxation Technique and Mind Sound Resonance Technique on Cardiac autonomic function in first post operative week after CABG followed up to 45th post operative day in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods:
After informed consent, 58 male patients with age range 35 to 65 yrs who were posted for Coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated into two groups. i.e. yoga (n=30) and control group (n=28). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) power spectrum for the low frequency component (0.05- 0.15 Hz), and high frequency values (0.15-0.50 Hz), LF/HF ratio were obtained by Ambulatory ECG (Version 4.1, Niviqure, Bangalore) one day before the surgery, subsequently on 8th and 45th post-operative day. Yoga group practiced Deep Relaxation Technique and Mind Sound Resonance Technique through a pre recorded audio cassette for 30 min once a day (morning and evening) starting from third to tenth post-operative day and continued up to 45th post-operative day . The control group continued to have all the conventional therapies.
Result:
The baseline data on all variables were normally distributed (p>0.05 Shapiro Wilk test). The two groups were well matched (Independent Samples T Test, p>0.1) with pre values. In yoga group there was significant decrease in low frequency (LF) and LF/HF ratio (P< .001), and increase in high frequency (HF) compared to control group on both 8th and 45th post-operative day. The heart rate increased on 8th post operative day significantly in both the groups and decreased on 45th post operative day.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Yogic Relaxation Technique (DRT and MSRT) appears to be effective. Further investigation is indicated. The randomized control study was aimed to determine the effect of Yogic Relaxation Techniques (YRT) – Deep Relaxation Technique (DRT) and Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) together on autonomic variables. 450 male patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in age ranged 35-65 years who were posted for CABG at Narayan Hrudayalaya, Hosur road, Bangalore, India were screened for inclusion criteria. Of these 58 patients were randomly allocated into two groups i.e., yoga (n=30) and control group (n=28) completely participated in the study. They were in age range of 35-65 years. The mean age was 53.70 ±7.91.
Yoga group practiced YRT in the post operative ward through head phones with a pre recorded audio cassette for 30 minutes twice a day mornings (9.30a.m) and evenings (3.30 p.m) for six days starting from second post-operative day till the time of discharge and then in their homes till 45th post-operative day. The control group continued to have normal care in the respective ward and then in homes after discharge. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) spectrum was recorded by Ambulatory ECG Version 4.1. The initial data was taken on the pre-operative day. Subsequent recording was done on the 8th post-operative day before the discharge. The final data was taken on 45th post-operative day at the time of 6th week review in the hospital. 5 minute recording of HRV spectrum was ensured at all the three recordings.
The baseline data on all variables were normally distributed (p>0.05 Shapiro Wilk test). The two groups were well matched (p>0.1, Independent Samples t Test) with pre values. After the data collection, the analysis was done by SPSS 10.1 version.
Repeated Measures ANOVA Tests were done to compare the pre and post values within and between the two groups. Two tailed paired t test were used to compare the baseline (pre), subsequent (8thday) and final (45th day) data of the Yoga and Control groups separately. The difference in the post values between the groups was assessed by Independent Samples t Test.
The result showed decrease in the HRV spectrum in yoga group rather than control group. Initial increase in heart rate in both the groups on the 6th intervention day witnessed reduction later on 45th post-operative day with higher % of fall in the Yoga group.
Application of the study
The YRT is a simple, non-pharmacological, non-invasive technique which can be administered during post-cardiac surgery recovery period for an effective rehabilitation with beneficial results. It can be easily administered by any caretaker with little practice.
Key Words: Heart rate variability, Yogic Relaxation Technique, CABG
|
