Immediate effect of single session Mula Banda practice on cognitive functions among adolescents

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a critical period of neurobiological processes that underlie higher cognitive functions and social and emotional behaviour; cognitive functions are important skills for academic performance. Today’s adolescents are struggling to enhance their cognitive abilities due to various new demands and options. There is also an increased academic stress & peer pressure to succeed in school, partly due to increased competition and also due to a diverse range of options available. Techniques to improve these skills are not taught either in education courses. Any practice which can improve these skills will be of value in schools, universities, and workplaces. The objective of the study was to determine whether single session of Mula Banda could enhance the cognitive functions. Material & Methods: 30 adolescents who had enrolled for the single session Mula Banda intervention. Their ages ranged between 12 to 18 years (group average ±S.D., 14.4±1.3 years; both genders). Those who have eye problem, neurological problems and mental illness, and those who are not willing to participate were excluded. Mula Banda was given for 10 minutes in a single session.  Before and after the session, all participants completed DLST, SLCT and DVT tests. Result:  single session Mula Banda practice showed significant change in DLST scores, increase (P-value< 0.000) in total attempted score, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in net score, significant reduction in wrongly attempted score (P-value<0.000). Significant change in SLCT scores, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in total attempted score, similarly, significant increase (P-value<.000) in net score, significant reduction in wrongly attempted score (P-value<0.000). Also, significant change in DVT scores, significant increase (P-value<0.000) in total time taken, similarly, significant reduction (P-value<.000) in errors. Conclusion: findings suggest that even a single session Mula Banda practice could enhance the cognitive function among adolescents.