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Effect of Rosary Prayer and Yoga Mantras on Autonomic Cardiovascular Rhythms: Comparative Study

Overview
Journal BMJ
Specialty General Medicine
Date 2001 Dec 26
PMID 11751348
Citations 102
Authors
L Bernardi
P Sleight
G Bandinelli
S Cencetti
L Fattorini
A Lagi
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Objective: To test whether rhythmic formulas such as the rosary and yoga mantras can synchronise and reinforce inherent cardiovascular rhythms and modify baroreflex sensitivity.

Design: Comparison of effects of recitation of the Ave Maria (in Latin) or of a mantra, during spontaneous and metronome controlled breathing, on breathing rate and on spontaneous oscillations in RR interval, and on blood pressure and cerebral circulation.

Setting: Florence and Pavia, Italy.

Participants: 23 healthy adults.

Main Outcome Measures: Breathing rate, regularity of breathing, baroreflex sensitivity, frequency of cardiovascular oscillations.

Results: Both prayer and mantra caused striking, powerful, and synchronous increases in existing cardiovascular rhythms when recited six times a minute. Baroreflex sensitivity also increased significantly, from 9.5 (SD 4.6) to 11.5 (4.9) ms/mm Hg, P<0.05.

Conclusion: Rhythm formulas that involve breathing at six breaths per minute induce favourable psychological and possibly physiological effects.

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