Impact of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Technique on Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Elderly Residing in selected Old Age Homes in Guwahati, Kamrup (M) Assam

A four-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, including body scan, breathing exercises, and yoga asanas delivered two hours daily, reduced depression, anxiety, and stress in 42 elderly residents of an old age home in Guwahati. Mean depression scores fell from 10.52 to 8.16, anxiety from 11.62 to 5.26, and stress from 15.6 to 7, all statistically significant. The findings suggest MBSR is effective for improving mental health in this population. Associations were also found between depression and marital status; anxiety and age, gender, and other factors; and stress and education, financial help, and number of children.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Depression, anxiety, and stress are some of the common problems in older adults, affecting every aspect of life, including energy, appetite, sleep, and interest in work, hobbies, and relationships. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program that incorporates mindfulness to assist people with pain and a range of conditions and life issues. There is growing evidence of the effectiveness of mindfulness-based meditation in treating everything from depression to breast cancer. Thus, the present study was undertaken to assess the impact of the MBSR technique on depression, anxiety, and stress among elderly people. Forty-two elderly individuals residing in Amar Ghar Old Age Home in Patharquarry, Narengi, Guwahati, were selected as a sample using purposive (total population) sampling technique. Data were collected using the DASS-42 scale to assess the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly. The MBSR technique, which includes body scan practice, breathing exercises, and simple yoga asanas, was provided for two hours every day for a period of four weeks under the supervision and guidance of Mr. Anil Sharma, HOD, Yoga Department, GMCH. Ethical consideration was obtained from the IEC, Regional College of Nursing, and informed consent was taken from the subjects. After four weeks of intervention, it was found that the mean score of depression significantly decreased from 10.52 in the pre-test to 8.16 in the post-test (p=0.00001), anxiety significantly reduced from 11.62 in the pre-test to 5.26 in the post-test (p=0.00001), and stress decreased from 15.6 in the pre-test to 7 in the post-test (p=0.00001). Thus, it shows the effectiveness of MBSR in reducing depression, stress, and anxiety among elderly people. There was also a significant association of depression with marital status and nature of the relationship with visitors; anxiety with age, gender, source of financial help, nature of admission to the old age home, activities of daily living, and psychological support; and stress with educational status, source of financial help, and the number of children of the elderly. The positive outcome of the study indicates that MBSR is effective in reducing depression, stress, and anxiety levels among the elderly.