A Pilot Feasibility Study of a Sequential Yoga and Rāga-Based Music Intervention for Menstrual Cramps Among College Students

Background: Menstrual cramps (Kaṣṭa Ārtava) are described in Āyurveda as arising from imbalance of Apāna Vāta, manifesting as abdominal pain, uterine spasms, and psychological disturbances such as irritability, anxiety, fear, and worry, reflecting deviation in Vāta Doṣa. This highlights the need for holistic, non pharmacological interventions. Yoga has consistently been recognized as beneficial, while Music Therapy employing Hindustani Rāgas from Thāṭas such as Kāfi, Āsāvari, Bhairavī, and Todi was selected for therapeutic resonance in balancing Vāta Doṣa and evoking Vīra Rasa to transform fear and anxiety into courage.
Objective: To preliminarily assess the feasibility and potential effects of Yoga followed by Yoga combined with Indian Rāgas on menstrual cramps among college students, with emphasis on pain, premenstrual symptoms, emotional symptoms, and Doṣa-related measures.
Methodology: A pilot study with a pre–post within subject design was conducted among twelve female students aged 17–26 years. Phase I involved Yoga practice alone for three weeks, followed by Phase II combining Yoga with music sessions for 3–4 weeks, with a pause during menstruation. Interventions were delivered in two batches under identical protocols, both online and offline.
Key Results: Within this pilot sample, VAS scores decreased by 76% (p < 0.001, d = 2.245), while premenstrual symptoms decreased by 48% (p = 0.031, d = 1.140). Emotional symptom scores also decreased across several domains. Doṣa-related measures showed reductions in Vāta Vṛddhi (54%), Vāta Kṣaya (57%), Pitta Vṛddhi (40%), and Kapha Vṛddhi and Kapha Kṣaya (both 41%) These findings indicate potentially meaningful changes that warrant evaluation in controlled studies.
Conclusion: The sequential Yoga and Yoga–Music intervention was feasible to implement and was associated with reductions in menstrual pain, premenstrual symptoms, and selected emotional and Doṣa-related measures in this small pilot sample. Given the absence of a control group and the sequential intervention design, these findings should be considered preliminary and interpreted cautiously. Controlled studies are needed to determine the specific and combined effects of Yoga and Music.

Menstrual cramps, Yoga Music Therapy, Rāga Chikitsā, Anxiety, Vīra Rasa

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