A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Tai-chi Exercise on Level of Stress regarding the Impact of Covid-19 among Caregivers of In-patients of selected Wards at Jubilee Mission College and research Institute, Thrissur

Abstract

Stress describes a person's physical or emotional response to the demands or pressures of daily life. Common causes of stress include work, money, relationships and illness. Significant events like the Covid-19 pandemic can also increase stress and anxiety. Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art and it consists of smooth continuous movements like Chinese dance along with mental concentration and deep breathing. Tai Chi will help to reduce the stress of daily life due to different reasons. The present study is aimed to assess the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise on level of stress regarding the Impact of Covid-19 among caregivers of in-patients of selected wards at JMMC &RI, Thrissur. Objectives: To assess the level of stress regarding the impact of Covid-19 before and after Tai Chi exercise among caregivers of in-patients, to associate the pretest level of stress with selected socio-demographic and clinical data variables. Methodology: Quantitative research study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercise on level of stress regarding the impact of Covid-19 among caregivers of in-patients of selected wards at JMMC & RI, Thrissur. One group pretest post test research design was selected for the study. There were 40 samples selected by convenience sampling technique. The subject was recruited for the study based on the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed consent was taken from the samples and the objectives and purpose of the study were explained. The data collected have 2 sections, in which section A includes socio-demographic & clinical data such as Age, Gender, Place, Educational status, Occupation, Marital Status, Socioeconomic status, History of any illness. Section B was perceived stress scale is a standardized scale which consists of 10 questions for measuring the perception of stress. Individual scoring on PSS can range from 0- 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. The score 26-40 is considered as High perceived stress, 14-26 belongs to Moderate stress and 0-13 belongs to low stress. Result and interpretation: Result shows majority of the subjects about 14(35%) belongs to the age group of 35-45 years, 25(62.5%) were females, 30(75%) from rural area, 14 (35%) have secondary education, 17(42.5%) were unemployed, 30(75%) were married and 18(45%) were having income between 11000-15000. About 5 (12.5%) has history of Covid-19 infection. By using perceived stress scale to assess the level of stress regarding the impact of Covid-19, we found that in pretest majority of the caregivers have about 34 (85%) had moderate stress 6(15%) had high stress. In post test 39(99%) had low stress and 1(1%) had moderate stress. There was no association between pretest level of stress with selected socio-demographic and clinical data variables.