EFFECT OF PRANAYAMA (SPECIFIED BREATHING EXERCISE) ON STRESS & ANXIETY AMONG THE STUDENTS IN TRINCOMALEE CAMPUS, EASTERN UNIVERSITY SRI LANKA

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the competitiveness among the society which increases with the current lifestyle and education system, most of the students, especially the University students are under Stress & Anxiety1. Pranayama meant an Alternative nostril breathing exercise and it is a cost-free, amazing therapy. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Pranayama on Stress and Anxiety and the Pulse rate among the selected students from the Faculty of Applied Science, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University Sri Lanka. Methodology: This is a randomized control experimental study. Screening was done by using the tool of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HMA-A or HARS- 1959)2. Among the 460 hostel students, 120 participants were selected based on the inclusive, exclusive & diagnostic criteria. They were divided into two groups by a random selection process; 60 participants from the study group were only performed Pranayama daily for 15 minutes in the morning and the evening for 48 days. The remaining 60 in the control group were not engaged with any breathing exercise or any type of physical exercise. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: A reduction in Stress & Anxiety level scores from 16 ± 4.7 to 8 ± 3.3 after practicing Pranayama. An extremely significant ‘p’ value of less than 0.001 was obtained. And also it showed a mild reduction in pulse rate from 74.9 ± 6.4 to 73.2 ± 2.7 bpm too. Conclusion: Regular practice of Pranayama for a certain period is beneficial to reduce the Stress and Anxiety level and regulating the pulse rate.