Effectiveness of Yoga Pranayama in Reducing Anxiety Levels Among Caregiver of Children With Mental Disorders in Denpasar

Abstract Background: Caregivers of children with mental disorders often face significant psychological challenges, including elevated anxiety levels. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of yoga pranayama as a non-pharmacological intervention in reducing anxiety among these caregivers in Denpasar. Method: The research employed a pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-post-test approach involving 36 caregivers recruited from the Disability Service Center in Denpasar City. The intervention consisted of 30-minute yoga pranayama sessions conducted once a week for four consecutive weeks. Anxiety levels were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) before and after the intervention period. Results: The results revealed a significant decrease in HARS scores from pre-test (29.5 ± 8.56) to post-test (6.42 ± 3.65), with paired t-test analysis showing a mean difference of 23.083 points (95% CI: 20.205 - 25.962, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that yoga pranayama is an effective strategy for reducing anxiety levels among caregivers of children with mental disorders in Denpasar. The substantial and statistically significant reduction in anxiety scores suggests that integrating yoga pranayama into support programs for caregivers could be a valuable approach to improving their mental well-being. This study contributes to the growing evidence supporting mind-body interventions in caregiversupport. It highlights the potential of yoga pranayama as an accessible and beneficial practice for this population.