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| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2014 |
Volume
: 7 | Issue : 1 | Page
: 76-79 |
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Effect of repetitive yogic squats with specific hand position (Thoppukaranam) on selective attention and psychological states
Angelica Chandrasekeran1, Sasidharan K Rajesh1, TM Srinivasan2
1 Department of Psychology, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
2 Division of Yoga and Physical Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Sasidharan K Rajesh
#19 Eknath Bhavan, No. 19, Gavipuram Circle, Kempegowda Nagar, Bengaluru - 560 019, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0973-6131.123497
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Context: Research on the effect of Thoppukaranam is limited despite it being practiced as a form of worship to the elephant-headed deity Lord Ganapati and punishment in schools.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Thoppukaranam on selective attention and psychological states in a sample of young adults.
Settings and Designs: A randomized self-as-control within subjects design was employed. Thirty undergraduate students (4 females and 26 males) from a residential Yoga University in Southern India were recruited for this study (group mean age ± standard deviation, 20.17 ± 2.92).
Materials and Methods: The d2 test, State Anxiety Inventory-Short Form and State Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (SMAAS) were used to measure cognitive performance and psychological states. Assessments were made in three sessions: Baseline, control (squats), and experimental (Thoppukaranam) on 3 separate days.
Statistical analysis used : Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures analyses of variance between three sessions, that is, baseline, squat, and Thoppukaranam.
Results: There was a significant improvement in all measures of the d2 test of attention (TN, E, TN-E, E%, and concentration performance) and state mindfulness after Thoppukaranam. Further state anxiety reduced significantly after the experimental session.
Conclusions: These findings indicate Thoppukaranam results in enhancement of cognitive functioning and psychological states. |
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