A Comparison of the Effects of Three Volitional Yoga Breathing Practices versus Two Nonvolitional Breathing Controls on Auditory-evoked Potentials.

Background: Previous research has suggested that volitional yoga breathing (VYB) facilitates auditory information processing, whereas control nonvolitional breathing has opposite effects. Objective: This study investigated auditory middle latency responses (AMLR) in (i) three VYB which vary breath rate differently (i.e., bellows yoga breathing, high-frequency yoga breathing, and bumblebee yoga breathing), and (ii) two control conditions (i.e., breath awareness and quiet rest). Methods: Fifty healthy participants aged between 18 and 35 years (M:F, 1:1) participated in this study, with assessment in five random order sessions (each 28 min) over 5 consecutive days. AMLR and respiration were assessed before, during, and after each session. Results: During the three VYB sessions, there were significant decreases in peak latencies (repeated-measures analysis of variance and preduring post hoc tests). In contrast, during breath awareness, the peak latencies of the Pa and Nb waves increased with no change in latencies during quiet rest. Discussion: The changes in peak latencies suggest VYB facilitated auditory transmission at thalamic and primary auditory cortex levels (based on the neural generators of AMLR components). In contrast, breath awareness was associated with prolonged transmission at primary auditory cortex levels (from Pa and Nb latency changes). Peak amplitude changes suggest neuronal recruitment increased during VYB but not during controls. Hence, irrespective of changes in breathing, VYB enhances sensory transmission, whereas nonvolitional breathing may inhibit it. Conclusion: These changes may contribute to the beneficial effects of VYB in cognition and perception, with possible applications in various activities and occupations requiring optimal auditory sensory functioning. Limitations include a focus on experienced practitioners and the examination of short-term effects alone.