Effectiveness of Guided Imagery on Stress Among Geriatric Population at Selected Old Age Home

The aim of the present study was to determine “Effectiveness of guided imagery on stress among geriatric population at selected old age home, Neyyattinkara”. The study's goals were to determine the degree of stress experienced by the elderly population, to assess the effectiveness of guided imagery on level of stress among geriatric population and to find out the relationship between the demographic characteristics of the elderly population and their pre-test results on stress levels. Conceptual framework used in this study was based on Betty Neuman’s (1980) system model. A quasi experiment where pre-test post-test design was used. It involved the collection of data from the samples both before and after the intervention. The data was collected from 30 samples. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The pretest and post-test score were obtained using Kessler Psychological distress scale (K10). Guided imagery was given as the intervention daily once for 7 days. At the pre-test stage, every sample in the experimental group was under extreme stress; none of the samples were under mild or moderate stress. In post-test, 30% of samples were experienced mild stress, 70% of samples were experienced moderate stress and no one experienced severe stress. Among the samples the mean score regarding stress is 42.57 in experimental group at pre-test level, and 25.43 in post-test level. According to the t-test, samples at the post-test level had a substantially lower mean stress score than those at the pre-test level by 0.001 (<0.05). Thus, research demonstrates that the elderly population in the assisted living facility experienced less stress when guided imagery was used.