Effectiveness of pranayama on stress among mothers of mentally retarded children at selected special school in Madurai

Title: Effectiveness of pranayama on stress among mothers of mentally retarded children at selected special school in Madurai. Objectives: To evaluate the level of stress among mothers of mentally retarded children at selected school in Madurai. To evaluate the effectiveness of Pranayama on stress among mothers of mentally retarded children at special school in Madurai. To associate the level of stress among mothers of mentally retarded children with their selected socio demographic variables. Hypotheses: There is a significant difference between the pre test and post test level of stress among the mothers of mentally retarded children at selected special school in Madurai, there is a significant association between the level of stress among the mothers of mentally retarded children with their selected socio demographic variables. Modified Ludwig Von Bertalanffy General system theory in (1968) was adopted for this study. Methodology: A pre experimental one group pre test, post test design was used. 40 mothers of mentally retarded children were selected purposively. The study was conducted at Anbagam mentally retarded special school at Madurai. Pre test was conducted on the first day by using perceived stress scale after obtaining consent from all the subjects then pranayama was given about 20 minutes, once a day in the morning for 30 consecutive days for the subjects having stress as measured by the scores on perceived stress scale. Post test was assessed on 32ndday by using the same tool. Findings: pranayama reduced the stress level among the mothers of mentally retarded children. There was a significant association between post test level of stress and age, educational status, type of family. Conclusion: pranayama is cost effective, non-invasive, non-pharmacological complementary and alternative therapy to reduce the level of stress among mothers of mentally retarded children