Immediate psychophysiological effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress in young adults

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A single temple visit immediately reduced systolic blood pressure by 13.0% and perceived stress scores by 8.0% in healthy young adults.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Perceived stress and autonomic regulation in healthy young adults (n=90). Intervention: Temple visit vs. Pre-visit baseline. Primary outcome: Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) (13.0% reduction (t = 14.82), p=<0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

A single temple visit produces immediate reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and perceived stress in healthy young adults. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the immediate effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress among healthy young adults.

Neelkanth Kote; Shomi Anand; Vamsi Krishna Donepudi; Murali Krishna

doi:10.18231/j.ijcap.18948.1789803791

November 2, 2026Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and PhysiologyOpen Access

Immediate psychophysiological effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress in young adults

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Key result

A temple visit is linked to an immediate ~13% reduction in systolic blood pressure.

13.0% reduction (t = 14.82)
P<0.001
n=90

Why the study?

Spiritual practices such as temple visits may promote relaxation and improve autonomic function in young adults experiencing higher stress levels, but scientific evidence evaluating these immediate cardiorespiratory and stress effects was limited.

Does a temple visit reduce cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress immediately in healthy young adults?

Key Points

To evaluate the immediate effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress among healthy young adults.
Prospective single-group pre–post observational study evaluating 90 apparently healthy young adults aged 18–24 years (mean age 20.8 ± 1.7 years; 45 males, 45 females).
Assessed systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) scores before and immediately after a temple visit.
Systolic blood pressure decreased from 122.6 ± 8.5 mmHg to 106.7 ± 7.9 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 80.4 ± 6.3 mmHg to 69.9 ± 5.8 mmHg (both p < 0.001).
Pulse rate declined from 82.0 ± 7.2 beats/min to 73.0 ± 6.8 beats/min, and respiratory rate decreased from 16.2 ± 1.9 breaths/min to 14.4 ± 1.7 breaths/min (both p < 0.001).
Perceived Stress Scale scores decreased from 20.0 ± 4.1 to 18.4 ± 3.8 following the visit (p < 0.001).

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=90)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does a temple visit reduce cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress immediately in healthy young adults?

P

Population

90 apparently healthy young adults aged 18–24 years (50% female, mean age 20.8 years) free of chronic disease or regular meditation practice, evaluated immediately before and after a single temple visit.

E

Exposure

A single usual temple visit involving activities such as walking within the temple premises, prayer, devotional practices, chanting or listening to mantras, and quiet contemplation (no restriction on mode of prayer or duration of worship).

O

Outcome

Immediate changes in cardiorespiratory parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-10] score) measured immediately after the temple visit compared to pre-visit baseline.surrogate

Main Result

Effect estimate: 13.0% reduction (t = 14.82)

Absolute Event Rate: 106.7% vs 122.6%

p-value: p=<0.001

A single temple visit was associated with immediate, statistically significant reductions in blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and perceived stress scores in healthy young adults, though the text notes that the outcome table values are tentative.

Limitations

Assessed only immediate changes following a single temple visit, so persistence of effects over time could not be determined.
Absence of a control or comparison group limits the ability to isolate spiritual practices from confounding factors like walking, rest, or environmental calmness.
Relatively small sample size (n=90) and convenience sampling of young adults from a single specific setting limit generalizability.
Assessed only the immediate changes following a single temple visit, so persistence of effects over time could not be determined
Absence of a control or comparison group limits ability to establish whether changes were specifically related to spiritual practices or other factors
Relatively small sample size and inclusion of young adults from a specific setting may limit generalizability to other populations
Table 3 footnote indicates that reported outcome values are tentative and should be replaced with actual study data before submission

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Implication

May offer immediate BP and stress relief in healthy young adults; leaves open causality and durability.

Abstract

Introduction: Higher stress levels were reported in young adults. Spiritual practices, including temple visits, may promote relaxation and improves the autonomic function. However, the scientific evidence related to this was limited.Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the immediate effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress among healthy young adults.Materials and Methods: The present study was a prospective single-group pre–post observational study. A total of 90 apparently healthy young adults aged 18–24 years were part of the study. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate were recorded before and immediately after the temple visit and compared.Results: Following the temple visit, there was a significant decrease in the stress scores, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate. All observed changes were statistically significant (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The study results support positive effects of visiting temple as there was a significant immediate reduction in cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress scores among young adults. The study recommends further detailed translational research studies in this area.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Kote et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Perceived stress and autonomic regulation in healthy young adults (n=90). Temple visit vs. Pre-visit baseline was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) (13.0% reduction (t = 14.82), p=<0.001). A single temple visit immediately reduced systolic blood pressure by 13.0% and perceived stress scores by 8.0% in healthy young adults.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aea772189a8acbed9c87a87 https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijcap.18948.1789803791

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Immediate psychophysiological effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress in young adults

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Immediate psychophysiological effects of a temple visit on cardiorespiratory parameters and perceived stress in young adults

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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