Protective Role of Moolabandha While Practicing Bhastrika and Kapalabhati by Women Vulnerable to Bladder Dysfunction:...

Obstetrical trauma and chronic exposure to increased intraabdominal pressure (IIAP) are known to increase vulnerability toward stress urinary incontinence. Bhastrika and Kapalabhati being fast yogic breathing maneuvers (FYBM), their association with IIAP is likely. Therefore, a preliminary descriptive study was conducted using transabominal ultrasound mode, to find whether impact of FYBM reinforced by prevailing risk factors had any adverse effect on the bladder neck status and urethral mobility of female yogic practioners and whether simultaneous application of Moolabandha inhibited such impact.

Mindray DC N3 model of diagnostic ultrasound unit with M probe was used for assessment.

This study included 15 heterogenous female yoga teachers having average age, years of practice, and body mass index as 42.7 years, 7.33 years, and 24.86 kg/m², respectively. Retrovesical angle (RVA) and posterior displacement (PD) and inferior displacement (ID) of urthetrhra were assessed while performing Bhastrika and Kapalabhati maneuvers with and without applying Moolabandha. Data obtained were then used for descriptive analysis.

Analysis showed a mixed picture, i.e., negative impact as well as preservation of protective strain-levator reflex in certain variables while practicing FYBM. Complicated labor and practice of power yoga appeared to reinforce the impact of FYBM. The values of RVA as well as PD and ID dropped and were statistically significant when FYBM was performed with Moolabandha. Aging factor, uneventful vaginal labor, or obesity could not confirm as prevailing risk factors.

Moolbandha proved its protective behavior while practicing Bhastrika and Kapalabhati by vulnerable women.