Immediate effect of nostril breathing on memory performance.

The self-control study on thirty normal subjects of both genders (mean age 25.83 +/- 3.41 years) were taken in a self control study group and were tested for three types of Nostril breathing practices and Breath Awareness (BA) effects. Namely verbal recall performance of numerical data such as Digit Span Forward (DSF) and Digit Span Backward (DSB) as well associate learning memory function using Wechsler Memory Scale. The interventions included Right Nostril Breathing (RNB), Left Nostril Breathing (LNB), Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB) and Breathe Awareness for duration of 30 minutes daily, four consecutive days. The Repeated Measure ANOVA analysis revealed a significant increase in both DSF and DSB recall performance due to RNB at P<0.001 level and increased DSB score due to ANB at P<0.014 level with a non- significant increase due to LNB suggests that the RNB facilitates both DSF and DBF recall performance. However, the LNB effect on left hemisphere helps to restore the memory function of right hemisphere. This study concludes that the RNB enhances numerical data retrieval mostly as a result of left brain activation.