Effects of Jyoti Trataka on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Hypertension is among the most prevalent modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and continues to show a rising global burden. Yoga-based interventions have been increasingly explored as supportive approaches for its management. Jyoti Trataka, a mindfulness-based yogic cleansing technique, is considered a preparatory practice for meditation. Existing literature suggests that Trataka may acutely decrease blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) in hypertensive individuals. However, there is a lack of evidence on the short-term effects of Jyoti Trataka on HR variability (HRV) in this population. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Jyoti Trataka on HRV and BP in individuals with hypertension. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on sixty individuals with hypertension under antihypertensive medication, aged between 40 and 65 years. Sixty participants were randomized into two groups. The Trataka group underwent Jyoti Trataka, while the control group (CG) underwent rest in a sitting position for 30 min daily for the period of 2 weeks. BP and HRV were assessed at baseline and immediately after completion of the 2-week intervention. Results: Between-group comparisons did not reveal significant differences in HRV and BP. However, within the intervention group, both systolic ( P < 0.001) and diastolic BP ( P = 0.014) showed significant reductions following the intervention, whereas no changes were observed in the CG. Conclusion: Short-term practice of Jyoti Trataka may contribute to lowering BP but does not appear to significantly influence HRV. Further studies with larger samples and longer intervention durations are warranted.