Autonomic and Respiratory Modulations Induced by Different Styles of Mantra Chanting.

Abstract

Background: Mantra recitation is a universal practice that involves repeating sacred words or phrases. It is widely acknowledged for its function in improving concentration, slowing down thought processes and causing a variety of psychophysiological changes. Yet, no research has methodically looked at how various Mantra recitation techniques affect physiological parameters.

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate heart rate variability (HRV), autonomic function and respiratory variables prior to, during and following each style of Mantra recitation.

Materials and methods: This trial involved 40 male novices between the ages of twenty and 25 years. The autonomic and respiratory variables of each participant were recorded before, during and following loud chanting (LC), lips movement chanting (LMC), silent chanting (SC) and no chanting (NC) in four distinct laboratory sessions. HRV frequency and time-domain measurements were taken from electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings, and data were obtained using a 16-channel polygraph. This study employed the repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) to compare the differences between and within groups under the four conditions.

Results: Based on frequency domain measurements, the results showed a significant decrease in high-frequency (HF) power (p < .001) and a significant increase in low-frequency (LF) power (p < .001) during LC. Furthermore, NN50 was significantly higher (p < .001) in all sessions and groups, while pNN50 was significantly lower (p < .001) as compared to NC during LC. Moreover, the mean HR was considerably higher during LMC and LC (p < .001).

Conclusion: These results imply that, although in a relaxed physiological state, the LC and LMC styles of Mantra recitation may improve attentional focus while overdriving sympathetic activity. Nevertheless, vagal tone remained intact throughout the entire duration of the SC recitation.