Effect of mobile-based online meditation module and yoga intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The aging process and the pandemic have significantly affected the elderly population, resulting in a wide range of physiological and psychological changes. These changes have created a significant burden for the nation as the elderly is often overlooked. In response to this, the Government of India and AIIMS Bhopal developed a yoga-meditation-based intervention to help improve the mental health of the elderly (>60 years) during the pandemic. Methodology: A retrospective case − control study was conducted on the geriatric population aged over 60 years of both sexes from March 2021 to September 2021 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal. The sample size was calculated to be 690 participants based on the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the elderly population and using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale 21 (DASS)-21. Participants were asked to fill out the DASS questionnaire, and those with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or stress were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group received a 6-week yoga-based mobile intervention, and the results were analyzed using the SPSS software version 27.

Results: The between group analysis showed that MOMMY intervention was effective in reducing symptoms of depression (t=3.38, df=93, p<0.001), anxiety (t=4.33, df=93, P < 0.001) and stress (t = 1.76, df=93, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the psychological status of individuals. The study found a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and stress levels after the intervention, indicating the necessity of similar interventions on the geriatric population to alleviate their mental health status.