Effect of Yogic Breathing and Intermittent Breath Holding on Reaction Time and Cognitive Function among Diabetics: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a globally prevalent chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, relative insulin deficiency due to beta-cell dysfunction, sub-chronic inflammation and peripheral insulin resistance. Assessing and controlling the non-glycemic risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity is vital in the prevention and management of cardiometabolic risk in T2DM individuals. Yogic Breath Holding (YBH) and Yoga Breathing with Breath Awareness (YBA) are yogic techniques that enhance response inhibition, previously done on healthy individuals. This study aims to evaluate its effect on cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and reactivity of cognition before and after the practice in volunteers with T2D. This Randomized control trail study was conducted between the ages of 30 and 60 years, and 68 volunteers were gathered. The experiment employs a counterbalanced design where participants were randomized to the experimental and control group. Electrophysiological data, neuropsychological assessments, and blood samples were collected at baseline [1st day] and post-intervention [10th Day]. Data was analyzed in SPSS - V.20 [IBM]. The blood samples (FBG, PPBG, and HbA1c), neuropsychological assessments (TMT A & B and SDMT), and electrophysiological data (ART and VRT) demonstrated a significant decrease in all measures with deemed significance p<0.05. The results showed that YBH and YBA practice for 20 minutes impacted cognitive flexibility, processing speed, and reactivity of cognition before and after the practice in diabetics therapeutically.