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ABSTRACT
This study attempted to investigate the impact of JPMR and deep breathing exercises in reducing anxiety, psychological distress and improving quality of sleep among hospitalized older adults. Sixty inpatients, 30 each in experimental and control group were recruited adopting a quasi-experimental study design. To check contamination, the experimental group was recruited in the first three and the control group in the last three months. Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, K-10, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were administered. An audio taped Hindi JPMR and 4 steps breathing were used. Significant improvements were found in the experimental group in reducing anxiety, and psychological distress, and improving quality of sleep. The significant improvement in anxiety, psychological distress and quality of sleep showed the efficacy of JPMR and deep breathing exercises in management of older adults. The feasibility of integrating relaxation exercises as a part comprehensive quality care services for hospitalized older adults was highlighted.
Key words: JPMR, Deep breathing, Anxiety, Psychological distress, Quality of sleep.
INTRODUCTION
Old age is a crucial period of life during which mental health related problems may become a cause or an effect of various physical health related problems, amongst which anxiety (Wolitzky-Taylor, et al., 2010), psychological distress (Joshi, Kumar & Avasthi, 2003; Rabinowitz, et al., 2005) and sleep difficulties (Lindstrom, et al., 2012) are commonly reported. The association of anxiety disorders are moderately associated with reduced sleep quality resulting in poor the quality of life (Ramsawh, et al., 2009). Recently, studies revealed significant association between higher anxiety, depression and poor sleep quality in elderly chronically ill (Suh, et al., 2013). However, remaining active was associated with lesser psychological distress (Yorston, et al., 2012). A review of 106 articles on sleep problems among older adults reported the common problems as waking up too early, trouble falling asleep, daytime napping, and multiple nocturnal awakenings (Cochen, et al., 2009).
Among the non-pharmacological interventions, deep breathing and other relaxation exercises (such as Jacobson Progressive Muscle Relaxation - JPMR) have been found to be effective in for various categories of hospitalized population such as cancer patients on chemotherapy (Lee, et al., 2012; Hayama & Inoue, 2012), patients with gynecological diseases (Pan, et al., 2012; Zhao, et al., 2012), patients with COPD (Singh, et al., 2009) and coronary...