Effectiveness of Caregivers’ Yoga Module on Psychological Distress and Mental Well-Being among Caregivers of Patients Admitted to Neurological Rehabilitation Wards of a Tertiary Care Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

• Main Authors: Sailaxmi Gandhi, Vinaya Kumar Palled, Maya Sahu, Aarti Jagannathan, Meeka Khanna, Amrutha Jose
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2019-10-01
• Series: Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice
• Subjects: caregiver; caregivers’ yoga module; mental well-being; psychological distress; yoga
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0039-3399613

Background Caregivers of patients admitted to neurorehabilitation wards may experience higher psychological distress (PD) and poor mental well-being (MWB). This study aimed to empower caregivers to cope effectively with PD and maintain well-being by practicing yoga. Materials and Methods A total of 34 caregivers were randomized to the experimental group (EG) and waitlisted control group in a multiphase manner. Data were collected using sociodemographic schedule, Kessler’s Psychological Distress scale–10, and Warwick–Edinburgh’s Mental Well-being Scale. Caregivers’ yoga module (CYM) consisting of satsanga (theory), asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), imagery, meditation, and relaxation techniques was taught to those in the EG at 35 m/d for eight consecutive days. They were encouraged to continue on their own for another 3 weeks. Posttest data were collected from both groups on the 15th and 29th days. Analysis was done with IBM SPSS statistics version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results There was statistically significant reduction of PD and improvement of MWB among caregivers of EG within (PD: F = 17.78, p < 0.001; MWB: F = 5.48, p < 0.03) and between (PD: F = 15.87, p < 0.001; MWB: F = 15.87, p < 0.01) the groups after the CYM. A significant negative correlation was found between pretest MWB and PD (r =–0.579, p < 0.01). Caregivers who were married and caregivers’ perception of poor improvement of patient condition were significantly associated with PD. Conclusion Findings provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of CYM on PD and MWB among caregivers of patients admitted to neurorehabilitation wards.