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Effects of Mindfulness with Gayatri Mantra on Decreasing Anxiety in the Elderly

Sang Ayu Ketut Candrawati, Meidiana Dwidiyanti, Rita Hadi Widyastuti

Holistic Nursing and Health Science July 10, 2018 DOI: 10.14710/hnhs.1.1.2018.35-45 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest study Peer reviewed
Sample size 34
Population Elderly Hindus in Bali, Indonesia
Intervention Mindfulness with Gayatri mantra
Measures Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS)
Topics Anxiety Meditation
Citations 33
Key findings Mindfulness combined with Gayatri mantra was associated with a statistically significant decrease in anxiety scores among 34 elderly Hindus in Bali (p = 0.000, alpha = 0.05). The authors conclude it could reduce anxiety in this population and be used as an alternative to prevent anxiety recurrence in the elderly.

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is one of the psychological problems which can develop in the elderly. If left untreated, it can decrease the productivity and quality of life. Mindfulness with Gayatri mantra is such a complementary therapy which is effective to reduce anxiety in the elderly.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mindfulness with Gayatri mantra on decreasing anxiety in the elderly Hindus in Bali, Indonesia.

Methods: This study employed a one group pre and posttest quasi-experimental design and involved 34 elderly people recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Anxiety was measured using the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS). A t-test statistical analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results: Results showed that there were significant effects of mindfulness with Gayatri mantra on decreasing the anxiety in the elderly Hindus in Bali with a p-value of 0.000 (α-value = 0.05).

Conclusion: Mindfulness with Gayatri mantra could decrease anxiety in the elderly Hindus. This therapy can be used as an alternative to prevent the recurrence of anxiety in the elderly.

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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