Research And Medical Findings

Research on mind-body techniques has entered a new era requiring state-of-the art techniques and methodologies. The Art of Living Foundation is developing a long-range approach. Now in the first phase, scientists are producing pilot studies to demonstrate the potential benefits of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga for improving health and well-being. Of necessity, most of these studies are relatively small and exploratory. However, they provide the evidence required for obtaining larger grants to fund more definitive work. Many of these studies have been presented at the World Conferences at the All India Institute of Medicine and NeuroSciences in 2003 and 2006. As you read about research projects, keep in mind that these results suggest but do not yet prove benefits.

Published Research Papers:

1. Naga Venkatesha Murthy PJ, Janakiramaiah N, Gangadhar BN, et al: P300 amplitude and antidepressant response to Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY). J Affect Disord 50(1):45-8, 1998. A small open pilot study found that SKY significantly improved depression in 15 patients with dysthymia and 15 with major depression.

2. Janakiramaiah N, Gangadhar BN, Naga Venkatesha Murthy PJ, et al: Therapeutic efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) in dysthymic disorder. NIMHANS Journal 1998;21-8. An open study of 46 patients with dysthymia (mean illness duration 3.15 years) showed significant improvement on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Clinical Global Impression scales 1 and 3 months after SKY breath training. Among the 37 patients who completed the program, 67.5% achieved remission. After SKY training, small but significant prolactin elevation occurred.

3. Janakiramaiah N, Gangadhar BN, Naga Venkatesha Murthy PJ, et al: Antidepressant efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) in melancholia: a randomized comparison with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and imipramine. J Affect Disord 2000;57(1-3):255-9. In a randomized, controlled study, 45 hospitalized patients with severe melancholic depression were divided into three groups. The first group received bilateral electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) three times a week for 4 weeks. The medication group took an antidepressant, imipramine 150 mg at night. The third group received training in SKY yoga breathing only. At the time of admission, all patients scored 17 or higher on the 17-item HRSD. In fact, the mean scores were quite high for each group: ECT = 26.7 + 5.0; imipramine = 22.7 + 5.7; SKY = 25.1 + 6.5. SKY was as effective as imipramine and almost as effective as ECT, as shown by reductions in BDI and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) total scores. Remission was defined as HRSD < 8.0. Considering the severity of the patients' depressions, the remission rate of 67% with SKY is impressive and indicates that although SKY is less powerful than ECT, it does offer an effective alternative even in severe depression without the side effects caused by ECT or imipramine.

For more research summaries click here. In North America, those interested in conducting or collaborating on research should email researchcommittee@artofliving.org