Pranayama for the Management of Depression and Enhancement of Resilience

Depression is a state of low mood and a version to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being. Depression is found to be one of the leading source of adult disability worldwide. But those suffering from depression are often ignored. The present study is an attempt to find out the effect of Pranayama on reducing depression and improving resilience in people with depression. For the study, 60 adults with unipolar depression ranging from 18 to 45 years of age were selected from a clinic in Thrissur, Kerala. They were given the intervention of Pranayama. Intervention lasted for 45 minutes and was given twice a week for one and a half months which makes a total of 12 sessions. The level of depression and resilience was measured using Beck's Depression Inventory and Annalakshmi Resilience Scale prior to the intervention. Their level of depression and resilience was again measured after the intervention period in the group. A follow-up assessment of Depression and Resilience was also done three months after the interevention. The data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. The comparison of the pre-intervention scores, post intervention scores and follow-up scores showed that the effect of Pranayama on their depression and resilience level is significant. The study results indicate a significant positive impact of Pranayama in dealing Depression and enhancing Resilience in the sample.