Yoga-Induced Neuroplasticity: Pathways to Psychological Resilience- a pilot study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i1S.10502Keywords:
Yoga, Yogic Pranayama, Neuroplasticity, Psychological Resilience, Mindfulness, Cognitive FlexibilityAbstract
Background:Psychological resilience is increasingly recognized as a critical protective factor against stress-related disorders and trauma. Emerging evidence suggests that yoga, as a multidimensional mind-body intervention, promotes adaptive neuroplasticity through modulation of neural, endocrine, and autonomic pathways. However, empirical evidence linking yogic pranayama with resilience, mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and psychological well-being within a unified neuroplasticity framework remains limited.
Aim and Objective:Aim: To evaluate the impact of yogic pranayama on psychological resilience, mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and subjective well-being among healthy adults.
Objective: To assess the overall effectiveness of yogic pranayama in enhancing psychological resilience, mindfulness, cognitive flexibility, and subjective well-being.
Methods:A single-group pre-post experimental design was employed involving thirty healthy adult participants (15 males and 15 females). Participants completed a standardized 40-minute yogic pranayama every day for 40 consecutive days, consisting of yogic way of pranayama practices. Psychological outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention using internationally validated instruments including the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-25), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), and WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk normality testing, paired t-tests, Cohen's d effect size estimation, Pearson correlation analysis, and exploratory regression modelling.
Results:The 40-day pranayama intervention was completed by all 30 participants, with a 100% completion rate and no dropouts. Positive and statistically significant improvements were observed in resilience (58.47 ± 8.21 to 71.36 ± 6.94), mindfulness (53.28 ± 7.34 to 66.41 ± 6.18), cognitive flexibility (82.91 ± 9.12 to 95.58 ± 7.41), and psychological well-being (57.73 ± 10.25 to 73.52 ± 8.63), with all outcomes showing p < 0.001 and large effect sizes. Strong positive correlations were found among all psychological variables, and regression analysis showed that resilience, mindfulness, and cognitive flexibility significantly predicted psychological well-being, explaining 75.9% of the variance.
Conclusion:The findingsof this pilot study provides preliminary evidence that a 40-day yogic pranayama may facilitate psychological resilience through mechanisms consistent with neuroplasticity adaptation. Although direct neuroimaging was not performed, behavioural improvements in resilience, mindfulness, and cognitive flexibility suggest enhanced adaptive functioning. These findings support the integration of yoga into preventive mental health programs and trauma-informed care while highlighting the need for larger randomized controlled trials incorporating neuroimaging biomarkers to validate the neuroplasticity mechanisms underlying yoga-based interventions...
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