Positive Psychological Changes at High Altitude Shown by the Low Landers after the Yoga Intervention-Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY).
Annals of neurosciences January 1, 2023 Sheetal J Gupta, Balaram Pradhan, Disha Bhanushali et al. 3 citations
Immediate ascent to high altitude impairs cognitive performance and mood, leading to depression, anxiety, and reduced sleep quality, general health, and happiness. Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a cyclical breathing technique, has been shown to manage stress, depression, and anxiety, and improve sleep. This two-armed pre-post study examined psychological parameters and happiness in lowlanders at high altitude (Leh). The experimental group, with prior SKY meditation experience, completed a 4-day SKY-AMP protocol at high altitude; the control group had no yoga or meditation experience. The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire showed a significant increase in the SKY group (P ≤ .001) but no significant change in the control group.