An open labelled two-armed randomised controlled trial to evaluate effect of Bhraamaree praanaayaama on pre- exam stress in students preparing for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)

The study titled “An open labelled two-armed randomised controlled trial to evaluate effect of Bhraamaree praanaayaama on pre-exam stress in students preparing for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)†is an open labelled two-armed RCT.

It is designed to find that is braamaree praanaayaama done daily, 3 times a day, for 7 minutes each time, for a month, 4 months prior to NEET by students appearing for NEET, significantly reduces the pre-exam stress level in students, measured in terms of STAI score, pulse rate (PR), blood pressure (BP), heart rate variability (HRV), serum level of cortisol as compared to those who do not practice?

The study population will be all students in an urban area (Nashik City or Nagpur City) who are going to appear for NEET for the first time**.**

Sampling Technique: Simple Random Sampling and random allocation in two groups.

Effective sample size: Total 328 subjects assuming 10% non-response or loss of follow-up or dropout among the study subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

Healthy students of age between 17-20 years and having mild to moderate stress trait anxiety as measured by STAI will be selected irrespective of gender.

Exclusion Criteria:

Students having severe stress trait anxiety as measured by STAI, past or present history of any psychiatric illness, premenstrual syndrome, over two weeks delay in the menstrual cycle, subjects with ear or respiratory tract infections, subjects having recent history of surgery of ear/ vocal apparatus or any other acute/chronic illness will be excluded.

Also, subjects on regular medication, especially on CNS drugs, and those practicing any form of Pranayama, Yoga, Meditation, or other relaxation techniques for the past year will be excluded.

Withdrawal Criteria:

If participants develop or get diagnosed with any psychological illness during the study, if they develop or get diagnosed with any disease which may worsen by intervention given during the study, if they show unwillingness for further participation or are unable to comply with study instructions or if they fail to attend an appointment after 30 days of intervention they will be withdrawn from the trial.