INTRODUCTION:

Hypertension is one of the most significant risk factors contributing to the global burden of chronic diseases and poses a major challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Studies conducted in India have reported a high prevalence of hypertension, with evidence indicating a rising trend accompanied by low levels of awareness and control. Social determinants play an important role in the distribution of hypertension, and research indicates that Indian states with greater urbanization, human development, and social development tend to report higher prevalence rates of hypertension.¹ The association between hypertension prevalence and healthcare availability appears limited; however, a positive relationship has been observed between healthcare access and quality. The Government of India has therefore focused on strengthening hypertension screening programs and improving control strategies to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.²

A recent report by the Cardiological Society of India indicates that approximately one in five young adults in India has hypertension, representing nearly 80 million individuals. Hypertension also occurs at a younger age in Indians compared with Western populations, with complications appearing nearly a decade earlier on average. Risk factors assessed in the study included smoking, tobacco chewing, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, previous cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, and the use of antihypertensive medications.³ These findings highlight the need for earlier screening and preventive interventions. Health promotion campaigns in schools that encourage physical activity, weight management, and healthy dietary and social habits may help prevent the development of hypertension and its associated complications.⁴

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India more than 5000 years ago and has traditionally been used to promote physical and mental well-being. It helps maintain balance in the body by improving strength and flexibility.⁵ The primary goals of yoga include the promotion of physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Regular practice offers several benefits such as improved flexibility, increased muscle strength, enhanced circulation, improved bone health, regulation of blood pressure, improved posture, and better nervous system functioning. It also contributes to improved blood glucose control, greater concentration, relaxation, and psychological well-being. Among the various yogic practices, Shavasana has been reported to have a beneficial effect in controlling hypertension.⁶

Previous studies have demonstrated that yoga can influence physiological systems and significantly affect several physiological parameters.⁷ Stress is recognized as a major predisposing factor in the development of hypertension, and globally hypertension ranks among the leading causes of mortality and disability-adjusted life years.⁸ Yoga has been shown to reduce cortisol levels and thereby decrease stress. In addition, yoga improves arterial flexibility and reduces arterial stiffness, which enhances blood circulation and contributes to better blood pressure control.⁹ Relaxation techniques such as Shavasana and pranayama have been reported to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Several clinical trials have also demonstrated that non-pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications such as yoga can effectively reduce blood pressure and improve cardiorespiratory function.¹⁰

Yoga practices exert a holistic influence by harmonizing the body, mind, and consciousness. Regular practice helps individuals cope more effectively with everyday stress and emotional challenges.¹¹ Yoga also promotes greater self-awareness and understanding of one’s purpose and relationship with the broader spiritual dimension. When physical health improves, mental clarity and emotional stability also increase, enabling individuals to maintain healthier social relationships. These effects contribute to improved autonomic nervous system balance, characterized by increased parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic dominance associated with stress.^12,13

Hypertension is a highly prevalent condition closely associated with acute cardiovascular events and end-organ damage. It is often accompanied by autonomic dysfunction characterized by increased sympathetic activity and reduced vagal tone of the heart.¹⁴ Regular practice of Shavasana promotes deep relaxation and may reduce blood pressure through modulation of autonomic nervous system activity. Therefore, Shavasana may be considered a useful non-pharmacological intervention in the management of hypertension.^15,16

Several international health organizations—including the American Heart Association¹⁷, Indian Cardiological Society¹⁸, European Society of Cardiology¹⁹, World Health Organization²⁰, British Hypertensive Society²¹, and Canadian Hypertensive Society²²—emphasize that prevention and early screening are essential for effective hypertension control. These organizations also recommend lifestyle modification as a key strategy in hypertension management. Lifestyle interventions include dietary regulation, regular physical activity, weight management, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol consumption, and relaxation techniques.²³ Based on these recommendations, the present study selected Shavasana as an intervention to evaluate its effectiveness in managing hypertension. Shavasana is simple to perform in daily life and does not involve complex or physically demanding postures.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

Several studies have investigated the effectiveness of yoga-based interventions in the management of hypertension. A study on Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT) in patients with hypertension reported that yoga-based relaxation techniques, including Shavasana and pranayama, significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and state anxiety, demonstrating the effectiveness of MSRT in improving cardiovascular health.²⁶

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of Shavasana relaxation on cardiovascular autonomic modulation in both hypertensive and normotensive individuals found that the practice shifted the sympathovagal balance toward increased parasympathetic activity. The study also reported a significant reduction in cardiac sympathovagal balance, with effects lasting up to 35 minutes after practice, suggesting Shavasana as an effective non-pharmacological strategy for hypertension management.²⁷

A study conducted in Nepal among 140 participants examined the effectiveness of a structured yoga program consisting of meditation, breathing exercises, and Shavasana. The findings demonstrated a significant reduction in blood pressure after 90 days of continuous yoga practice, highlighting yoga as a promising complementary therapy for hypertension.²⁸

Another study involving 32 individuals with mild hypertension reported that yoga interventions, including Shavasana (yoga nidra) and breathing exercises, significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure decreased from 147.8 mmHg to 138.5 mmHg, while diastolic blood pressure decreased from 92.5 mmHg to 83 mmHg. The findings suggested that yoga can be an effective intervention for blood pressure control among hypertensive individuals.²⁹

Similarly, a study involving 97 individuals with metabolic syndrome and hypertension demonstrated that a year-long yoga intervention, consisting of three one-hour sessions per week, significantly reduced pro-inflammatory adipokines such as leptin and chemerin and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines such as adiponectin. These findings indicate that yoga may improve metabolic health and contribute to blood pressure reduction.³⁰

Another study involving 20 participants assessed the effects of an Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) that included asanas, breathing practices, meditation, relaxation techniques such as Shavasana and pranayama, and lifestyle modifications. After one week of intervention, significant improvements were observed in several cardiovascular parameters, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, and total peripheral vascular resistance. These results demonstrate the positive impact of IAYT on cardiovascular health.³¹

A systematic review conducted by H. Cramer evaluated multiple randomized controlled trials and concluded that yoga, through physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, can serve as an effective complementary therapy for hypertension. The review reported an average reduction of 10 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 8 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, along with enhanced parasympathetic activity and reduced sympathetic activity. The findings suggest that yoga is a valuable adjunct to conventional hypertension management rather than a standalone treatment.³²

Overall, previous studies indicate that yoga-based interventions, including Shavasana, pranayama, and integrated yoga therapy, can significantly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improve autonomic balance among individuals with hypertension. These interventions have also demonstrated beneficial effects on cardiovascular parameters, stress reduction, and metabolic health. Despite growing evidence supporting yoga as a complementary therapy for hypertension, most studies have focused on general yoga programs rather than evaluating the specific effect of individual relaxation techniques such as Shavasana. Furthermore, limited experimental studies have examined the short-term effectiveness of Shavasana as an independent intervention among hypertensive clients. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Shavasana in reducing blood pressure among individuals with hypertension.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

In this study, a quantitative evaluative research approach is suitable to find out the effectiveness of shavasana on hypertensive clients. The research design in this study is a quasi-experimental pretest and post-test only design^.24

Population and Samples:

The population for this study included patients diagnosed with Stage I and Stage II hypertension, classified according to the Joint National Committee (JNC) VIII guidelines. The study sample consisted of 60 hypertensive patients within these stages. The sample size was determined using power analysis, ensuring adequate statistical validity for detecting significant differences between the experimental and control groups. The researcher used non-probability convenient sampling technique to select the subjects. All the subjects who met the inclusion criteria for sample selection are selected for the study. Inclusion criteria involve hypertensive clients those who are between age group of 30-60, first and second stages of hypertension based on JNC classification VIII, clients take oral hypertensive drugs more than six months, clients present on time of data collection and clients interested to participate in study. In this study, independent variable is shavasana and dependent variable is blood pressure.

Shavasana was the intervention used in this study. Shavasana is known as corpse pose. Shavasana was taught to clients in a systematic manner. The following steps were followed, lie flat on your back, like our sleeping pose and keep your legs separated from one another. Then keep your arms at your side with your palm facing up and away from your body; now close your both eyes and take deep breaths and exhale slowly through nostrils in the meantime concentrate from your toe to head; relax from your great toe to head by relaxing each body part. Deliberately think that you are relaxing each part of the body. Feel that entire body is relaxed by running away from your tension, depression, worry and stress. This ultimately relaxes your whole muscles and body. The experimental group under investigators supervision for three days practiced this technique. Post-tests were conducted for both experimental and control group by using the same sphygmomanometer. The post-test blood pressure data was categorized again by using JNC classification VIII.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION:

The permission to conduct the study was obtained from dissertation committee. The permission to conduct the study was obtained from the hospitals. Informed consent was obtained from all the study subjects. Confidentiality, transparency and anonymity were maintained throughout the study. Only serial numbers were assigned, and names of the subjects were not disclosed.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:

The plan for data analysis is by using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The statistical methods used for analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, mean difference, independent ‘t’ test to study the effectiveness of shavasana and chi-square was used to find the association with hypertension and selected demographic variables.²⁵

The analysis and interpretation of the data collected from 60 hypertensive clients (30 – Experimental group, 30 – Control group) to assess effectiveness of shavasana among hypertensive clients in selected Hospitals in Coimbatore. The data was organized, tabulated and analysed according to the objectives. Data analysis begins with description that applies to the study in which the data are numerical with some concepts. Descriptive statistics allows the researcher to organize the data and to examine the quantum of information and inferential statistics is used to determine the relationship.

Table 1. Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables of hypertensive clients

Demographic Variables	Experimental Group (N=30)	Control Group (N=30)
Age
Age between 30 - 40	6 (20.00%)	4 (13.33%)
Age between 40 - 50	13 (43.33%)	18 (60.00%)
Age between 50 - 60	11 (36.67%)	8 (26.67%)
Sex
Male	11 (36.67%)	7 (23.33%)
Female	19 (63.33%)	23 (76.67%)
Educational Status
No formal education	2 (6.67%)	0 (0.00%)
Primary school	6 (20.00%)	13 (43.33%)
High school	15 (50.00%)	16 (53.33%)
Graduate	4 (13.33%)	1 (3.33%)
Postgraduate	3 (10.00%)	0 (0.00%)
BMI
<18 - Underweight	0 (0.00%)	1 (3.33%)
19 - 24.9 - Normal	3 (10.00%)	5 (16.67%)
25 - 29.9 - Overweight	14 (46.67%)	16 (53.33%)
30 - 34.9 - Obese Grade I	10 (33.33%)	1 (3.33%)
35 - 39.9 - Obese Grade II	3 (10.00%)	6 (20.00%)
>40 - Obese Grade III	0 (0.00%)	1 (3.33%)
Type of Work
Heavy work	4 (13.33%)	2 (6.67%)
Moderate work	10 (33.33%)	11 (36.67%)
Sedentary work	16 (53.33%)	17 (56.67%)
Type of Diet
Vegetarian diet	8 (26.67%)	4 (13.33%)
Non-vegetarian diet	21 (70.00%)	26 (86.67%)
Exercise
Performs exercise regularly	2 (6.67%)	1 (3.33%)
Performs exercise occasionally	4 (13.33%)	6 (20.00%)
Does not practice exercise	24 (80.00%)	23 (76.67%)
Smoking
Chain smoker	3 (10.00%)	1 (3.33%)
Occasional smoker	5 (16.67%)	5 (16.67%)
None	22 (73.33%)	24 (80.00%)
Alcoholism
Regularly consumes alcohol	1 (3.33%)	3 (10.00%)
Occasionally consumes alcohol	10 (33.33%)	4 (13.33%)
None	19 (63.33%)	23 (76.67%)
Family History of Hypertension
First-degree relatives	12 (40.00%)	10 (33.33%)
Second-degree relatives	4 (13.33%)	6 (20.00%)
Both first- and second-degree relatives	2 (6.67%)	1 (3.33%)
None	12 (40.00%)	13 (43.33%)
Duration Since the Diagnosis of Hypertension
<1 Year	8 (26.67%)	5 (16.67%)
1 - 5 years	20 (66.67%)	19 (63.33%)
6 - 10 years	2 (6.67%)	5 (16.67%)
>10 years	0 (0.00%)	1 (3.33%)
Duration of Taking Medicine
<1 Year	8 (26.67%)	5 (16.67%)
1 - 5 years	20 (66.67%)	19 (63.33%)
6 - 10 years	2 (6.67%)	5 (16.67%)
>10 years	0 (0.00%)	1 (3.33%)

Table 2: Effectiveness of shavasana on hypertension among hypertensive clients in the experimental group. N=30

Blood Pressure	Test	Mean	S.D.	Mean Diff.	Paired t-test Value
Systolic BP	Pretest	156.47	11.41	6.10	t = 7.492, p = 0.0001, S***
Systolic BP	Post-test	150.37	11.88		t = 7.492, p = 0.0001, S***
Diastolic BP	Pretest	94.00	4.11	4.20	t = 5.105, p = 0.0001, S***
Diastolic BP	Post-test	89.80	4.74		t = 5.105, p = 0.0001, S***

***p<0.001, S – Significant

This clear infers that shavasana administered on hypertension to the hypertensive clients in the experimental group had significant improvement in their level of blood pressure and their systolic and diastolic BP was reduced significantly.

Table 3: Comparison of pre-test and post-test blood pressure among hypertensive clients in the control group. N=30

Blood Pressure	Test	Mean	S.D.	Mean Diff.	Paired t-test Value
Systolic BP	Pretest	157.10	9.65	0.10	t = 1.795, p = 0.083, N. S
Systolic BP	Post-test	157.00	9.64		t = 1.795, p = 0.083, N. S
Diastolic BP	Pretest	91.93	2.79	-0.33	t = -0.674, p = 0.506, N. S
Diastolic BP	Post-test	92.27	2.71		t = -0.674, p = 0.506, N. S

NS – Not Significant

This table clearly infers that there was no significant improvement in their level of blood pressure.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:

The purpose of the study was to find the effectiveness of shavasana among hypertensive clients in selected hospitals. The research design used in this study is quasi-experimental pretest post-test only design. Convenient sampling technique was used to select samples based on inclusion criteria. The reliability of the tool was established by using Karl Pearson’s reliability test-retest method. Both inferential and descriptive statistical analysis was used for data analysis. The effectiveness of shavasana among hypertensive clients in experimental group, the result has shown that pretest mean score in the experimental group was 156.47±11.41 and the mean score in post-test was 150.37±11.88. The mean difference in the systolic BP was 6.10. The diastolic BP shows the pretest mean score in the experimental group was 94.0±4.11 and the mean score in post-test was 89.80±4.74. The mean difference in the diastolic BP was 4.20. The calculated student paired ‘t’ test value of t = 7.492 and t = 5.105 shows statistically highly significant difference between the pretest and post-test systolic BP and diastolic BP scores. This proves that shavasana is effective in reducing blood pressure among hypertensive clients as the control groups, calculated student paired ‘t’ test value of t = 1.795 and t = -0.674 was not found to be statistically significant. The post-test mean score of Systolic blood pressure in the experimental group was 150.37±11.88 and the mean score in control group was 157.10±9.64. The mean difference in the systolic BP was 6.63. The calculated student independent ‘t’ test value of t = 0.2374. The post-test mean score in the experimental group was 89.80±4.74 and the mean score in control group was 92.27±2.71. The mean difference in the systolic BP was 2.47. The calculated student independent ‘t’ test value of t = 0.2474 was found to be statistically highly significant.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the Study the following conclusions are drawn,

Shavasana is effective in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure among hypertensive clients.

There is significant association of blood pressure with age, educational status, and family history of hypertension among experimental group.

There is significant association of blood pressure with age, employment, exercise and type of work among control group.

The current study has several impacts in field of nursing such as nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research.

Nursing Practice:

Nurse as professional health care practitioners can make significant promotion in health of the patients with chronic illness such as hypertension. Nurse can play a huge role in promoting and developing healthy lifestyle habits. Nurses should help the clients to promote and develop healthy lifestyle practices to improve the prognosis of chronic illness such as hypertension. Nurses can impart knowledge about non-pharmacological interventions such as shavasana in reducing blood pressure. Nurses can be trained in yoga and teach the clients about the effectiveness of yoga.

Nursing Education:

Nurse educators should organize and conduct alternative and complementary therapies to update nursing profession. Nurse educator should help the nursing students to encourage attending conferences regarding alternative therapies to improve knowledge and provide holistic care. Nurse educators should encourage the curriculum committee to involve recent research in the curriculum and implement them.

Nursing Administration:

Administrator should coordinate alternative therapies to broaden the management of chronic illness like hypertension. Administrator should organize in-services on alternative therapies for chronic illness like hypertension.

Nursing Research:

Nurse researcher should be motivated to conduct more studies on non-pharmacological management on hypertension. Nurse researcher should challenge to perform scientific research and take part in assessment, application and evaluation of shavasana among hypertensive clients. The findings of study can motivate the researcher to conduct similar kind of studies. Nurse researcher should focus on improving the knowledge and practice assessment on Shavasana. Disseminate the research finding through conferences, seminars, publications, etc.

LIMITATIONS:

The study was limited to hypertensive clients in selected hospitals therefore, the findings cannot be generalised. The sample size was limited, which may affect the generalizability of the result. The duration of shavasana was so short, so long term effects on blood pressure could not be assessed. The study relied on participants cooperation and adherence to shavasana, which cannot be controlled fully. Other factors influencing blood pressure such as diet, stress, physical activity and medication adherence were not fully controlled. Blood pressure measurement may have been influenced by situational or environmental factors. The study did not include a long-term follow-up to assess the sustained effectiveness of shavasana.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

The study can be replicated with a larger group, Similar intervention carried out for longer duration in larger population. Similar study can be conducted by allotting more time on data collection and similar study can be done in community settings. A comparative study can be conducted between shavasana and other type of yoga for hypertension.

REFERENCES:

1. Singh S, Shankar R, Singh G. Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension in urban India. Int J Hypertens. 2017; 2017: 1–10

2. Gupta R, Gaur K, Ram CS. Emerging trends in hypertension epidemiology in India. J Hum Hypertens. 2018.

3. Saxena T, Ali AO, Saxena M. Pathophysiology of essential hypertension: An update. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2018; 16(12): 879–887.

4. Kilic M, Uzunçakmak T, Ede H. The effect of knowledge about hypertension on the control of high blood pressure. Int J Cardiovasc Acad. 2016; 2(1): 27–32.

5. Kaur A. Yoga in modern life. Int J Adv Res Dev. 2018; 3(1): 961–962.

6. Rani N. Benefit and importance of yoga in human life. NIILM Univ J. 2018; 7(8): 39–58.

7. Kashyap K, Paviaya R. Effect of sudarshan kriya yoga on blood pressure and pulse rate in hypertensive subjects. Indian J Appl Res. 2018; 8(5).

8. Park SH, Han KS. Blood pressure response to meditation and yoga: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Altern Complement Med. 2017; 23(9): 685–695.

9. Lathadevi U, Nagashree. Modulation of cardiovascular response after ujjayi pranayama and shavasana training. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015.

10. Satyanand V, Reddy B, Shaik MV, Mohanan D, Salma S, Nuzhath FJ. Effect of yoga on hypertension. Narayana Med J. 2016; 5: 5–11.

11. Shetty P, Reddy BKK, Lakshmeesha DR, Shetty SP, Bradley R. Effects of sheetali and sheetkari pranayamas on blood pressure and autonomic function. Integr Med. 2017; 16(5): 38–43.

12. Woodyard C. Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. Int J Yoga. 2011; 4(2): 49.

13. Yadav SK. Importance of yoga in daily life. 2015.

14. Kawale MN. Comparison of reaction time between hypertensive adults practicing yoga and non-practitioners. Paripex Indian J Res. 2018; 7(8).

15. Santaella DF, Lorenzi-Filho G, Rodrigues MR, Tinucci T, Malinauskas AP, Mion D Jr, et al. Yoga relaxation decreases cardiac sympathovagal balance in hypertensive patients. Med Express. 2014; 1(5).

16. Ambareesha K, Rao B, Suresh M, Rani K, Chandrasekar M. Effect of yogic exercise on static spirometry values in normal healthy individuals. Int J Res Dev Pharm Life Sci. 2017; 6(4): 2682–2684.

17. High blood pressure. American Heart Association; n.d. Available from: https://www.heart.org

18. Cardiology. Cardiological Society of India; n.d. Available from: https://www.csi.org.in

19. High blood pressure. European Society of Cardiology; n.d. Available from: https://www.escardio.org

20. Burns N, Grove SK. The practice of nursing research: Conduct, critique, and utilization. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 2001.

21. Blood pressure. British and Irish Hypertension Society; n.d. Available from: https://www.bihosc.org

22. Hypertension. Canadian Hypertensive Society; n.d. Available from: https://www.hypertension.ca

23. Albracht-Schulte K, Robert-McComb J. The effects of yoga and quiet rest on subjective levels of anxiety and physiological correlates: A 2-way crossover randomized trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018; 18:280.

24. Burns N, Grove SK. The practice of nursing research: Conduct, critique, and utilization. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 2001.

25. Mahajan BK. Methods of statistics. 5th ed. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers; 1991.

26. Wang Y, Metri KG, Singh A, Raghuram N. Immediate effect of mind sound resonance technique on blood pressure and anxiety. J Complement Integr Med. 2018.

27. Santaella DF, Lorenzi-Filho G, Rodrigues MR, Tinucci T, Malinauskas AP, Mion D Jr, et al. Yoga relaxation decreases cardiac sympathovagal balance in hypertensive patients. Med Express. 2014; 1(5).

28. Dhungana RR, Khanal MK, Joshi S, Kalauni OP, Shakya A, Bhrutel V, et al. Impact of a structured yoga program on blood pressure reduction among hypertensive patients. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018; 18(1): 207.

29. Devi S. Impact of yogic intervention on mild hypertensive patients. MOJ Yoga Phys Ther. 2018; 3(1): 00035.

30. Supriya R, Yu AP, Lee PH, Lai CW, Cheng KK, Yau SY, et al. Yoga training modulates adipokines in adults with high-normal blood pressure. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018; 28(3): 1130–1138.

31. Metri KG, Pradhan B, Singh A, Nagendra HR. Effect of a 1-week yoga-based residential program on cardiovascular variables in hypertensive patients. Int J Yoga. 2018; 11(2): 170–174

32. Cramer H. The efficacy and safety of yoga in managing hypertension. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2015; 124(2): 65–70.

Received on 17.01.2026 Revised on 25.02.2026

Accepted on 28.03.2026 Published on 27.07.2026

Available online from August 01, 2026

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2026;16(3):147-152.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2026.00031

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.