An Experimental Study on Effect of Pranayama on Anxiety and Selected Physiological Parameters in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for the First Time at a Selected Hospital of a Metropolitan City

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of pranayama on patients undergoing radiation therapy for the first time.

Materials and Methods: A true experimental design was used on 60 patients undergoing radiation for the first time in a selected hospital of a metropolitan city.

Results: The results show that there was a noticeable improvement in anxiety and selected physiological parameters among patients undergoing radiation therapy for the first time after pranayama. Anxiety is statistically verified with Z value which was 4.66 against table value of 1.96 for the experimental group. Means of systolic BP in the experimental group are 136.7, 124.6, and 135.4 for pre-intervention, post-intervention I, and II, respectively, which shows the minimal difference. Means of diastolic BP for pre-intervention, post-intervention I, and II are 83.7, 77, and 80.8, respectively, which shows the difference. Pre-intervention reading of heart rate highlights as 92.2 mean, which shows a noticeable reduction as 85 and 87.9 in I and II intervention. Mean of systolic BP in the control group shows 125.6, 123.9, and 126.6 for pre-intervention, post-intervention I, and II, respectively, which shows a rise in values. Mean of diastolic BP for pre-intervention is 77.1, post-intervention I, and II is 76.5 which shows no difference. Pre-intervention mean of heart rate is 84.5 that shows not much change as 83.6 and 84.1 in I and II intervention.

Conclusion: The analysis of data showed that pranayama can be used to reduce anxiety and maintain the physiological parameters in patients undergoing radiation therapy for the first time.