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Impact of Mind-Body Interventions on Psychosocial and Bio Physiological Markers among Elderly.

Jayalakshmi Lakshmanan, Bhuvaneswari Gopalakrishnan, Shankar Shanmugam Rajendran

Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences July 1, 2024 DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_577_24 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Quasi-experimental study Peer reviewed
Sample size 42
Population Elderly participants from two old age homes in South India
Interventions Benson's Relaxation Technique Guided Imagery mindfulness exercises
Topics Anxiety Depression
Keywords Aged Blood pressure Geriatric assessment Mind-body therapies Quality of life Stress
Citations 1
Key findings Mind-body interventions significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression and improved quality of life in elderly participants compared to routine care.

Abstract

The global demographic shift toward an older population is witnessing an increase in age-related psychological disorders and chronic illnesses, particularly among those residing in old age homes. Mind-body interventions (MBIs) have shown promise in enhancing mental and physical health without the adverse effects associated with pharmaceuticals. This quasi-experimental study involved 42 elderly participants from two old age homes in South India. Participants were divided into an experimental group, which received interventions including Benson's Relaxation Technique, Guided Imagery, and various mindfulness exercises, and a control group, which received routine care. Assessments of stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life were conducted at baseline and post-intervention using standardized scales. The experimental group exhibited significant improvements, with reductions in stress scores from an average of 23.71 to 10.86, anxiety scores from 27.62 to 12.71, and depression scores from 10.05 to 5.24. The quality of life scores improved from an average of 37.81 to 54.24. In contrast, the control group showed minimal changes in these psychological parameters, with only slight modifications in quality of life scores from 37.24 to 38.38. Physiological and biochemical markers remained largely unchanged across both groups. The study highlights the critical role of nurses in implementing MBIs to enhance the psychological health and overall well-being of the elderly. Integrating these interventions into regular nursing care can significantly improve the quality of life for elderly individuals, suggesting the adaptation of MBIs as primary non-pharmacological interventions in elderly care practices.

Comparable studies

Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... 2013 Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group n = 37
Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. 2010 Experimental study
Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience 2013 Within-subjects experimental study n = 15
Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults 2009 Quasi-experimental and longitudinal n = 69
Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers 2019 Within-subjects experimental study n = 11

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Anxiety Depression Meditation