DECIPHERING YOGA AND HARE KRISHNA MAHA MANTRA ON PHYSIOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL ALTERATIONS IN URBAN POPULATION

Public Title of the Study

Deciphering the effects of Yoga and Hare Krishna Mahamantra on physiological psychological and spiritual alterations in urban populations

Scientific Title of the Study

Deciphering Yoga and Hare Krishna Mahamantra on physiological psychological and spiritual alterations in urban populations of Delhi and Delhi NCR A quasi experimental four arm pre post study

Brief Summary

Urban populations experience increasing levels of stress anxiety lifestyle related physiological disturbances and spiritual disconnection. Yoga and mantra chanting are traditionally known to promote holistic well being. Existing literature suggests that Hare Krishna Mahamantra chanting enhances sattva guna and reduces stress depression rajas and tamas. However no study has systematically compared the isolated and combined effects of Yoga and Hare Krishna Mahamantra chanting on physiological psychological and spiritual parameters.

This study is designed to evaluate and compare the effects of Yoga alone Hare Krishna Mahamantra alone their combined practice and no intervention on physiological psychological and spiritual variables among urban adults. A quasi experimental four arm pre post study design will be employed with a total sample of 400 participants equally distributed across four groups. The intervention period will be twelve weeks. Outcomes will be assessed using validated physiological measures and standardized psychometric scales.

Objectives of the Study

Primary Objective

To evaluate the isolated and combined effects of Yoga and Hare Krishna Mahamantra on physiological psychological and spiritual parameters in urban adults

Secondary Objectives

To assess changes in blood pressure heart rate oxygen saturation and respiratory rate following Yoga and Hare Krishna Mahamantra practice

To assess changes in spiritual well being using the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale and Spiritual Well Being Scale

To assess changes in depression anxiety stress and psychological well being using DASS 21 and WHO 5 Well Being Index

To compare outcomes between Yoga only Mantra only combined Yoga and Mantra and control groups

Study Design

Quasi experimental four arm pre post study

Study Setting

Urban areas of Delhi and Delhi NCR India

Duration of the Study

Twelve weeks of intervention with pre intervention and post intervention assessments

Sample Size

A total of 400 participants will be recruited with 100 participants in each group based on G power sample size calculation with effect size 0.56 alpha error 0.05 and power 0.95

Study Population

Male and female participants aged 20 to 60 years residing in urban areas of Delhi and Delhi NCR

Inclusion Criteria

Participants aged between 20 and 60 years

Residents of urban areas of Delhi and Delhi NCR

Ability to understand Hindi or English

Physically and mentally stable as assessed by a general health questionnaire

Willingness to provide informed consent and participate for twelve weeks

Access to smartphone or internet if unable to attend offline sessions

Not practicing regular Yoga or Mantra chanting in a structured manner

Exclusion Criteria

Age below 20 years or above 60 years

Diagnosed major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

Presence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease diabetes respiratory disorders or thyroid disorders

Participants on regular medication

History of substance abuse

Pregnant or lactating women

Intervention Details

Group A Experimental Group

Participants will practice Yoga for 35 to 45 minutes followed by Hare Krishna Mahamantra chanting for 10 minutes equivalent to 108 rounds daily for twelve weeks

Group B Active Control Group 1

Participants will practice Yoga only for 35 to 45 minutes daily for twelve weeks

Group C Active Control Group 2

Participants will practice Hare Krishna Mahamantra chanting only for 10 minutes equivalent to 108 rounds daily for twelve weeks

Group D Control Group

Participants will receive no intervention and will be waitlisted

Outcome Measures

Physiological Parameters

Blood pressure heart rate oxygen saturation and respiratory rate measured using digital blood pressure monitor pulse oximeter and standard respiratory rate assessment

Psychological Parameters

Depression anxiety and stress measured using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21

Psychological well being measured using WHO Five Well Being Index

Spiritual Parameters

Daily Spiritual Experience Scale

Spiritual Well Being Scale

Socioeconomic Status

Modified Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic Scale

Assessment Timeline

Baseline assessment will be conducted before the intervention

Post intervention assessment will be conducted after completion of twelve weeks

Statistical Analysis Plan

Data will be entered and analyzed using SPSS or R software

Descriptive statistics will summarize participant characteristics

Baseline comparisons will be performed using chi square test ANOVA or Kruskal Wallis test

Within group comparisons will be analyzed using paired t test or Wilcoxon signed rank test

Between group comparisons will be analyzed using one way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test or Kruskal Wallis test with Dunn correction

Time and group interaction effects will be assessed using two way repeated measures ANOVA

Correlation between physiological psychological and spiritual variables will be assessed using Pearson or Spearman correlation

Statistical significance will be set at p less than 0.05

Ethics Statement

The study will be conducted after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to enrollment. Participation will be voluntary and confidentiality of data will be maintained.

Expected Outcomes

The study is expected to demonstrate that the combined practice of Yoga and Hare Krishna Mahamantra produces greater improvements in physiological psychological and spiritual well being compared to isolated practices and no intervention. The findings may provide scientific evidence for integrating mantra chanting with Yoga in holistic health promotion programs.