Effect of Yoga Nidra on Perceived Stress in Individuals with High Blood Pressure: A Quasi-experimental Study

Introduction:<bold> </bold>A persistently high level of stress can lead to a variety of diseases, such as anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, muscle discomfort, high Blood Pressure (BP) and a compromised immune system. Although 15% of adults in India suffer from hypertension, significant progress has been made in preventing and managing this condition. One alternative form of treatment that may help with stress management and BP regulation is Yoga Nidra.<br />Aim:<bold> </bold>To assess the effect of Yoga Nidra on perceived stress in Individuals with High Blood Pressure.<br />Materials and Methods:<bold> </bold>The present quasi-experimental study was conducted at various medical and physiotherapy Outpatient Departments (OPDs) in Veraval, Gujarat, India, from June 2021 to September 2022. A total of 49 individuals diagnosed with high BP, including both prehypertensive and hypertensive individuals (with BP >120/80 mmHg), were selected. Essential demographic information was gathered from the participants, who were also asked to complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire. Participants were introduced to the concept of Yoga Nidra and provided with instructions on how to perform the Yoga Nidra technique. They engaged in 12 sessions of this technique. After completing these 12 sessions, participants once again completed the PSS questionnaire. Since the collected data did not exhibit a normal distribution, a paired t-test was conducted at a significance level of 95%.<br />Results:<bold> </bold>Out of 49 study participants, 22 (45%) were females and 27 (55%) were males, and mean +/- Standard Deviation (SD) age was 47.86 +/- 10.62 years. The analysis revealed a significant reduction in PSS scores following the Yoga Nidra sessions (p-value=0.0001). Additionally, both Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) showed decrease with a p-value of 0.0001.<br />Conclusion:<bold> </bold>Yoga Nidra has a significant effect on reducing perceived stress in individuals with high blood pressure, along with a reduction in blood pressure. This research provides valuable findings regarding the potential of Yoga Nidra as an additional relaxation therapy to help manage hypertension and enhance overall well-being.