Effect of Yoga on Hemodynamic Changes at Prefrontal cortex during Sustained Attention Task

Yoga has been proved to promote relaxation and reduce stress. Recent studies have reported that yoga improves the regional cerebral oxygenation at prefrontal regions. The present study aimed at investigating the changes of hemoglobin changes during attention task in yoga and non-yoga group using functional near infrared spectroscopy technique. Total of ten participants recruited for this study from each group performed visual continuous performance test for six minutes followed by rest. Results show significant increases in oxyhemoglobin concentration (p=0.04) and significant decreases deoxyhemoglobin concentration (p=0.002) levels in participants yoga group compared to the non-yoga group. The lateralization index of the brain shows that activation was more towards at left prefrontal regions in both groups during the task. Results have not shown any significant differences in task performance. The present study concludes that yoga improves regional cerebral oxygenation at prefrontal regions during the attention task.