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PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of a six-week Vinyasa yoga (VY) intervention on caregivers' overall quality of life (QOL) and psychological distress.DESIGN: A single-group, pre- and post-test pilot study.
SETTING: University public recreational facility.
SAMPLE: 12 informal caregivers for patients with cancer.
METHODS: Caregivers participated in a six-week VY intervention and completed measures of QOL and psychological distress pre- and postintervention. Program satisfaction was measured with open-ended survey questions.
MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: QOL, psychological distress, and program satisfaction.
FINDINGS: Significant improvements were found in the mental component score of overall QOL and in overall psychological distress. Several subdomains of QOL and psychological distress were also improved significantly. Open-ended survey question responses revealed participants perceived physical and mental benefit from the intervention, highlighting improvements in flexibility, core and upper-body strength, balance, breathing, and energy.
CONCLUSIONS: Informal caregivers may benefit mentally and physically from participating in VY.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Caregivers of patients with cancer characterize a group worthy of attention, research, and interventions focusing on their healthcare needs.
Mindfulness is everywhere these days. While the contemplative practice has its roots in several of the world's major belief systems, subscribing to any particular religion or philosophy is not required to experience mindfulness. We live in a time where we can be present for so many moments we once could not, yet, what about the moments unfolding right in front of us? Have you ever been somewhere, while not really being there? Have you ever been doing something, while not really doing it? If the answer is yes, you are not alone. Being mindful and living mindfully takes practice and training-it is not magical-it is just mental training; exercise for the mind. If you are the kind of person whose immediate reaction to mindfulness is an insistence that you cannot slow down or your mind works too quickly, you are precisely the kind of person who may benefit from mind-body techniques. Though being mindful in the real world is not always easy, even just getting a little better at it can benefit us in crucial ways. Several mindfulness techniques exist to help us get centered and be more present. In this article, you will learn about mindfulness and the three most popular mindfulness-based techniques: yoga, tai chi, and meditation.