| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 生理學研究所 === 98 === Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) breathing is composed of a sequence of special breathing techniques including ujjayi, bhastrika, and Sudarshan Kriya. It has been reported that regular practice of SKY has antidepressant and stress-reducing effects. However, the effectiveness of SKY and the underlying mechanisms of improving psychological and physiological symptoms remain unknown. Many studies showed that serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are low and plasma cortisol levels are high in depressed patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the psychological symptoms improved and whether the serum BDNF and cortisol levels changed after SKY training and regular practice. Recruited subjects were divided into four groups: depressed controls without SKY (DC, n = 13), depressed subjects with SKY (DS, n = 22), healthy controls without SKY (HC, n = 25), and healthy subjects with SKY (HS, n = 23). Daily SKY practice at home was self-reported and weekly group practice was arranged. Blood samples were collected and questionnaires were completed before and after the 6-day SKY training courses, and 1, 2, and 3 months later. Serum BDNF and cortisol levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosobent assay. Results showed that (1) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores decreased in DS and HS, Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) decreased in DS, HS, and DC, the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI) scores changed, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score decreased in DS and HS, but not in HC; (2) the average concentration of serum cortisol levels decreased at 2 months in DS and increased at 1 and 2 months in DC; (3) BDNF slightly but not significantly increased after the 6-day SKY course and at 1 and 2 months in HS; (4) there was a negative correlation between the change of BDNF and the change of interpersonal sensitivity score of SCL-90 in depressed subjects. In conclusion, SKY is effective in improving psychological health. We also found the interpersonal sensitivity personality was negatively correlated to the change of BDNF in depressed subjects.
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