Effects of an Integrated Yoga and Yoga Nidra Intervention on Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Function in School-Aged Children: An Experimental Study

Revathi Dama; Larry Seidlitz

doi:10.63300/ajmay04072026.03

Authors

Revathi Dama Ph.D. Scholar, Vedic Wellness University, Orlando, FL 32801, United States. United States Author
Dr. Larry Seidlitz Ph.D. Guide, Vedic Wellness University, Orlando, FL 32801, United States. United States Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63300/ajmay04072026.03

Abstract

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) is a reliable, non-invasive biomarker of cardiac autonomic regulation. While evidence supports yogic practices in modulating autonomic function in adults, pediatric research remains limited. Objective: This study investigated the acute effects of an integrated yogic intervention—comprising Bhramari Pranayama, Adi Mudra, Navasana, and Yoga Nidra—on 16 comprehensive HRV metrics in school-aged children (ages 8–12 years). Methods: 82 students from Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India were randomly allocated into intervention (n = 41) and control (n = 41) groups. HRV was continuously recorded across three phases: Pre (3 min), During Yoga Nidra (20 min), and Post (3 min). The same 41 responders were identified by LF/HF ratio reduction. Sixteen HRV metrics were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected pairwise comparisons. Results: Significant omnibus effects were observed for RMSSD (F = 3.38, p = .037, η² = .053), PNS Index (F = 3.18, p = .045, η² = .050), SNS Index (F = 4.03, p = .020, η² = .063), Stress Index (F = 3.98, p = .021, η² = .062), and SD1 (F = 3.33, p = .039, η² = .053). Pre-to-Post comparisons revealed significant enhancements in parasympathetic markers (RMSSD: d = −0.44; PNS Index: d = −0.42; pNN50: d = −0.51) and significant reductions in sympathetic markers (SNS Index: d = 0.52; Stress Index: d = 0.53). Conclusion: The integrated yogic intervention produced statistically significant and clinically meaningful shifts toward parasympathetic dominance in school-aged children.

Keywords:

Heart Rate Variability, Yoga Nidra, Autonomic Nervous System, Parasympathetic Activity, Bhramari Pranayama, Pediatric Yoga, School Children, HRV Metrics

0 Abstract views 0 Downloads

Author Biographies

Revathi Dama, Ph.D. Scholar, Vedic Wellness University, Orlando, FL 32801, United States.

Revathi Dama, Ph.D. Scholar, Vedic Wellness University, Orlando, FL 32801, United States.

EMail dr.revathi@dssa.in
Dr. Larry Seidlitz, Ph.D. Guide, Vedic Wellness University, Orlando, FL 32801, United States.

Dr. Larry Seidlitz, Ph.D. Guide, Vedic Wellness University, Orlando, FL 32801, United States.

References

[1.] Beauchaine, T. (2001). Vagal tone, development, and Gray's motivational theory: Toward an integrated model of autonomic nervous system functioning in psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 13(2), 183–214.

[2.] Bernardi, L., Sleight, P., Bandinelli, G., Cencetti, S., Fattorini, L., Wdowczyc-Szulc, J., & Lagi, A. (2001). Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: Comparative study. BMJ, 323(7327), 1446–1449.

[3.] Berntson, G. G., Bigger, J. T., Eckberg, D. L., Grossman, P., Kaufmann, P. G., Malik, M., ... & van der Molen, M. W. (1997). Heart rate variability: Origins, methods, and interpretive caveats. Psychophysiology, 34(6), 623–648.

[4.] Brennan, M., Palaniswami, M., & Kamen, P. (2001). Do existing measures of Poincaré plot geometry reflect nonlinear features of heart rate variability? IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 48(11), 1342–1347.

[5.] Chrousos, G. P. (2009). Stress and disorders of the stress system. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 5(7), 374–381.

[6.] Datta, K., Tripathi, M., & Mallick, H. N. (2017). Yoga Nidra: An innovative approach for management of chronic insomnia—A case report. Sleep Science and Practice, 1(1), 7.

[7.] Holzman, J. B., & Bridgett, D. J. (2017). Heart rate variability indices as bio-markers of top-down self-regulatory mechanisms: A meta-analytic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 74, 233–255.

[8.] Jarczok, M. N., Jarczok, M., Mauss, D., Koenig, J., Li, J., Herr, R. M., & Thayer, J. F. (2015). Autonomic nervous system activity and workplace stressors—A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(8), 1810–1823.

[9.] Kumar, K., & Pandya, P. (2012). A study on the impact on stress and anxiety through Yoga Nidra. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge, 11(3), 405–411.

[10.] Kuppusamy, M., Kamaldeen, D., Pitani, R., Amaldas, J., & Shanmugam, P. (2016). Effects of Bhramari pranayama on health—A systematic review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 8(1), 11–16.

[11.] Laborde, S., Mosley, E., & Thayer, J. F. (2017). Heart rate variability and cardiac vagal tone in psychophysiological research—Recommendations for experiment planning, data analysis, and data reporting. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 213.

[12.] Malik, M., Bigger, J. T., Camm, A. J., Kleiger, R. E., Malliani, A., Moss, A. J., & Schwartz, P. J. (1996). Heart rate variability: Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation, and clinical use. European Heart Journal, 17(3), 354–381.

[13.] Michels, N., Clays, E., De Buyzere, M., Vanaelst, B., De Henauw, S., & Sioen, I. (2013). Children's heart rate variability as stress indicator: Association with reported stress and cortisol. Biological Psychology, 94(2), 433–440.

[14.] Moszeik, E. N., von Oertzen, T., & Mack, H. (2020). Effectiveness of a short Yoga Nidra meditation on stress, sleep, and well-being in a large and diverse sample. Current Psychology, 41, 5272–5286.

[15.] Munoz, M. L., van Roon, A., Riese, H., Thio, C., Oostenbrink, R., Stolk, R. P., ... & Snieder, H. (2015). Validity of (ultra-)short recordings for heart rate variability measurements. PLOS ONE, 10(9), e0138921.

[16.] Pascoe, M. C., Thompson, D. R., & Ski, C. F. (2017). Yoga, mindfulness-based stress reduction and stress-related physiological measures: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 86, 152–168.

[17.] Porges, S. W. (2007). The polyvagal perspective. Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116–143.

[18.] Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.

[19.] Shader, T. M., Gatzke-Kopp, L. M., Crowell, S. E., Jamber, A. K., Fosco, G. M., Dagne, G. A., & Coccia, M. A. (2018). Quantifying respiratory sinus arrhythmia: Effects of misspecifying breathing frequencies across development. Development and Psychopathology, 30(1), 351–366.

[20.] Shaffer, F., & Ginsberg, J. P. (2017). An overview of heart rate variability metrics and norms. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 258.

[21.] Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. (1996). Heart rate variability: Standards of measurement, physiological interpretation, and clinical use. Circulation, 93(5), 1043–1065.

[22.] Thayer, J. F., Ahs, F., Fredrikson, M., Sollers, J. J., & Wager, T. D. (2012). A meta-analysis of heart rate variability and neuroimaging studies: Implications for heart rate variability as a marker of stress and health. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 36(2), 747–756.

[23.] Tyagi, A., & Cohen, M. (2016). Yoga and heart rate variability: A comprehensive review of the literature. International Journal of Yoga, 9(2), 97–113.