Mental health and family quality of life after yoga and compassion meditation: A randomised feasibility study among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nepal.
Namrata Pradhan, Laxmi Bhatta, Gørill Haugan, Poonam Rishal, Jennifer Infanti
Journal of intellectual & developmental disability July 15, 2026 DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2026.2688672 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized feasibility study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 103 |
| Population | Mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nepal |
| Intervention | Yoga and compassion meditation program (YCMP) |
| Duration | 6-week refresher |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Low-income country Maternal wellbeing Psychological distress |
| Key points | YCMP participants reported low perceived stress and acceptable satisfaction with disability-related support and physical/material wellbeing, with decreased anxiety and depression symptoms and improved emotional wellbeing and parenting satisfaction within the intervention group. |
Abstract
Mothers of children with intellectual disabilities often experience stress, anxiety, and depression, impacting family quality of life (FQOL). Yoga and compassion meditation program (YCMP) may offer accessible strategies to support wellbeing. This feasibility study explored preliminary effects of brief YCMP on mental health and FQOL outcomes among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nepal. A randomised feasibility study enrolled 103 mothers; 90 completed assessments. The YCMP included a 75-minute in-person session, take-home practices, and a 6-week refresher. Outcomes included perceived stress, anxiety and depression symptoms, and FQOL. Post-intervention, YCMP participants were in the "acceptable" satisfaction category for disability-related support and physical/material wellbeing, and low perceived stress, compared with controls. Within the intervention group, anxiety and depression symptoms decreased, while emotional wellbeing and parenting satisfaction improved. YCMP may improve mental health and FQOL for mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in low-resource settings. Larger randomised studies are warranted.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life: Is Increased Mindfulness Indeed the Mechanism? Annals of Behavioral Medicine June 1, 2008
- Understanding the feasibility of yoga and compassion meditation for stress management in mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nepal: a qualitative exploration. Global health action December 2025
- Yoga and compassion meditation program improve quality of life and self-compassion in family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients: A randomized controlled trial. Geriatrics & gerontology international 2017