Effects of Integrating Yoga and Spirituality on Depression and Anxiety in Elderly Patients with Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a dual approach-incorporating both yoga and spirituality-compared to a single-mode exercise training on the depression and anxiety of the elderly stroke survivors. This study employs a quasi-experimental design featuring a pre-test, post-test and follow-up, implemented through a randomized controlled trial involving two experimental groups [i.e., Yoga (YG) and Yoga+Spirituality (YSG)] and one control group (CG). 154 elderly chronic stroke patients successfully completed all the pretest, posttest and the follow-up. Patients in the YG and the YSG engaged in respective training for a duration of 8 weeks. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) served as the instrument for assessing levels of anxiety and depression. Data was analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the pretest results among the study groups concerning depression (p=0.948) and anxiety (p=0.543). However, participation in a combined yoga and spirituality intervention led to a significant improvement in depression (p<0. 05) and anxiety (p<0. 05) during the posttest and follow-up compared to the yoga and control groups. Additionally, engaging in exercise resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms of depression (p<0.05) and anxiety (p<0.05) during the posttest and follow-up when compared to the control condition. Due to their practicality, ease of use, and safety, the integrating of yoga and spirituality can be assumed as an efficient strategy for enhancing the mental health of elderly stroke patients.

本研究旨在对比单一模式运动训练与融合瑜伽与灵性的双模式干预手段，对老年脑卒中幸存者抑郁与焦虑症状的影响。本研究采用类实验设计，包含前测、后测与追踪测试环节，通过随机对照试验开展分组，共设置两个实验组[即瑜伽组（YG）与瑜伽+灵性干预组（YSG）]与一个对照组（CG）。共计154名老年慢性脑卒中患者完成了全部前测、后测与追踪测试。瑜伽组与瑜伽+灵性干预组患者分别接受为期8周的干预训练。本研究采用医院焦虑抑郁量表（Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS）作为抑郁与焦虑水平的评估工具，数据分析采用重复测量方差分析（repeated measures ANOVA）。结果显示，三组受试者在基线前测阶段的抑郁（p=0.948）与焦虑（p=0.543）水平均无显著性差异。然而，相较于瑜伽组与对照组，融合瑜伽与灵性的联合干预在后续后测与追踪阶段，可显著改善受试者的抑郁（p<0.05）与焦虑（p<0.05）症状。此外，与对照组相比，单纯瑜伽运动干预在后续后测与追踪阶段，同样可显著缓解受试者的抑郁与焦虑症状（p<0.05）。鉴于该联合干预手段具备实用性强、操作简便且安全性高的优势，可将其视为改善老年脑卒中患者心理健康水平的有效策略。