Effect of Yogic Interventions on Perceived Stress among Guardians of Pediatric Cancer Patients in Chandigarh
Keywords:
Caregiver Burden, Caregivers, Guardians, India, Meditation, Pediatric Cancer, Perceived Stress, Pranayama, Psychosocial Support, Yogic InterventionAbstract
Background: Caregivers of pediatric cancer patients often endure significant psychological stress due to prolonged caregiving demands, emotional strain, and uncertainty related to the child’s prognosis. In India, this burden is further intensified by socioeconomic and healthcare access challenges. While pharmacological treatments for stress exist, there is increasing interest in culturally grounded, holistic interventions such as Yoga for stress alleviation. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an 8-week structured Yogic intervention on perceived stress among guardians of pediatric cancer patients in Chandigarh, India. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-post design was adopted. A purposive sample of 40 guardians (aged 25–60 years) of pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment at Access Life - HBS Foundation Centre was selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The personal stress source inventory (PSSI) was administered pre- and post-intervention to assess perceived stress levels. Intervention: Participants engaged in a structured Yogic program for 8 weeks, 5 days per week, 60 min per session. The program included opening chanting, warming-up exercises, selected asanas, pranayama (Anulom-Vilom, Bhramari, Nadi Shodhana), and meditation/guided relaxation. Sessions were delivered by certified Yoga therapists and tailored for accessibility. Results: Statistical analysis using paired sample t-tests revealed a significant reduction in perceived stress post-intervention. The mean PSSI score decreased from 50.200 (Standard deviation [SD] = 12.650) to 44.075 (SD = 11.400), with a mean difference of 6.125 (t = 7.611, df = 39, P < 0.0001). The reduction in SD and shift in median from 48.5 to 40.0 suggest more consistent stress alleviation among participants. Histograms and distribution indices indicated a leftward shift in stress scores post-intervention. Conclusion: The findings strongly suggest that structured Yogic interventions are effective in reducing perceived stress among guardians of pediatric cancer patients. The significant improvement in stress levels supports integrating Yoga into psychosocial care frameworks for caregivers in pediatric oncology settings. Future research should explore long-term benefits, potential individual variability in responsiveness, and scalability across diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts.
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