Effect of Bhramari Pranayama on the Behaviour of Orphan Girls

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage marked by emotional sensitivity, identity formation, and social adaptation. For orphan girls, this stage becomes particularly vulnerable due to the absence of parental attachment, exposure to trauma, and institutional living conditions. These factors frequently manifest as behavioural disturbances, emotional dysregulation, depression, and social withdrawal. The present study investigates the effectiveness of Bhramari Pranayama, a yogic breathing technique known for its calming neurological effects, in improving behavioural and emotional functioning among orphan girls.

A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design was employed. Eighty orphan girls aged 11–18 years participated in the study. The experimental group (n=50) underwent a structured 40-day intervention centered on Bhramari Pranayama, Om chanting, and guided relaxation, while the control group (n=40) continued routine institutional activities. Behavioural and emotional outcomes were measured using the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), interpreted as an indicator of emotional distress and behaviour-linked depressive tendencies.

Results revealed a substantial reduction in depression-related behavioural risk in the experimental group. The mean score decreased from 70.95 to 49.20, with 96% of participants moving into the average behavioural range. In contrast, the control group exhibited only minimal improvement. Reduced variability in post-test scores indicated consistent benefit across participants.

The findings strongly suggest that Bhramari Pranayama is an effective, low-cost, culturally accessible intervention for improving emotional regulation and behaviour among orphan girls. The study supports integrating yogic breathing practices into institutional care systems and adolescent mental health programs.