Author(s): Balaji PA and Smitha R Varne

Abstract:
Background: Stress is a disruption of Homeostasis (internal balance). Stress and burnout are common among nurses, the largest group of health professionals. Maintaining a calm, compassionate attitude is a core nursing skill. Reducing the stress by various methods can improve overall health, and yoga is considered as an easily available alternative method. Objective: To investigate effects of yoga, meditation and pranayama for three months on the level of cortisol & stress among nursing staff. Material and Methods: The yoga group comprised 28 & control group comprised 28 nurses of 25-40 years age group. The yoga group nurses were taught yoga and pranayama for 3 continuous months and control group nurses did not undergo yoga practices. Both groups were subjected for plasma cortisol assessment and the International stress management association questionnaire. Data of serum cortisol levels and the pre-test and post-test stress scores in both groups, were compared before and after yoga exercise using smith's statistical software version 2.8., with paired t-test, p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: There was significant improvement of International stress management association questionnaire test (scores ± SD) and plasma cortisol levels (μg/100 ml ± SD) before and after yoga exercise among the yoga and control groups, (p<0.05). Conclusion: Meditation, yogasana and pranayama have significant physiological effects on stress management and cortisol levels among nursing staff.

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