Examining The Impact Of Yoga And Mindfulness On Perceived Caregiver Stress And Burden

PURPOSE: In the United States, there are approximately 34 million informal caregivers; defined as individuals who provide unpaid help to older adults (Lavela & Ather, 2010). Among this population, there is a growing health concern focusing on the potential physical and psychological risks linked to caregiving. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate how a yoga and mindfulness intervention may influence changes in caregivers’ perceptions of stress and burden as well as their resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP). METHODS: Eight caregivers participated in an eight-week yoga and mindfulness intervention, with 60-minute sessions featuring gentle warm-up sequences, yoga asanas (poses), focused breathing, guided meditation, body scans, journaling, and themed peer discussions. A qualitative approach was used to capture data including pre-and post-test semi-structured interviews and surveys (Perceived Stress Scale and Zarit Burden Interview), as well as pre-and post-intervention RHR and BP readings. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across the semi-structured interviews. Surveys, RHR, and BP measures were assessed for percent changes using the formula (V2 − V1) / |V1| × 100. RESULTS: Pre to post-intervention quantitative measures revealed decreases in perceptions of stress (37.57%) and caregiver burden (22.40%) along with a decrease in RHR (3.45%). However, there were increases in BP, systolic (0.89%), and diastolic (4.14%). Qualitative themes included self-care, perceptions of emotional well-being, accomplishment, change of environment, and connecting with peers. CONCLUSION: Taken collectively, these results indicate that yoga interventions coupled with mindfulness activities may help caregivers of older adults manage their perceptions of stress and burden. With additional research, this may be a plausible option as an affordable and accessible wellness modality to help mitigate the potential long-term, negative health outcomes associated with the caring role. Michigan HealthEndowment Fund Grant R-2103-148372