Effects of Pranayama Breathing Technique on Stress Level, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life Among Older Adults

NCT07451756 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: TNKU-HSAARSLAN-1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 74
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Aging is associated with progressive tissue deterioration resulting from a continuous decline in the ability to renew homeostatic cell regeneration and replace cells lost during tissue damage. Biological aging arises from the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage over time. This condition leads to a gradual decline in physical and cognitive capacity, causing an increase in morbidity and mortality rates. These non-linear and inconsistent changes are linked more to lifestyle than to chronological age. Rather than biological changes, the fact that aging is often associated with other life transitions such as retirement, the death of friends and partners, and a decline in living standards indicates that the diversity observed in old age is not random. In the aging process where individuals face various physical, mental, and social changes; problems such as stress, sleep issues, and reduced quality of life are among the commonly encountered situations that negatively affect the life satisfaction and quality of life of elderly individuals. Alongside modern medicine, the use of traditional and complementary practices has been reported to have positive effects on the health of elderly individuals. This study was planned as a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of the pranayama breathing technique applied to elderly individuals on stress levels, sleep, and quality of life.

Conditions

Individuals Aged 60 and Over; Individuals Who Are Physically and Mentally Suitable to Practice Pranayama Breathing Technique; Individuals Without a Malignant Respiratory System Disease (Such as Bronchial and Lung Cancer); Individuals Without a Pathological Condition Affecting Their Level of Consciousness and Concentration; Those Who Voluntarily Agreed to Participate in the Research

Keywords

Pranayama breathing technique; Older adults; Nursing home; Perceived stress; Sleep quality; Guality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Sociodemographic and Aging-Related Characteristics Data Form

  This form, collected from all participants during the initial interview, includes questions about age, gender, height, weight, marital status, education level, social security status, socioeconomic status, presence of chronic diseases, use of assistive devices, contact with family and friends, and length of stay in a nursing home. It was developed by the researchers through a literature review.

  0. Week

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Perceived Stress Scale-PSS

  0., 4. and 8. weeks

• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

  0.,4. and 8. weeks

• World Health Organization Quality of Life Module for Older People (WHOQOL-OLD)

  0., 4. and 8. weeks

• World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHO-8 EUROHIS)

  0., 4. and 8. weeks

Study Arms (2)

Elderly individuals who do not receive intervention

NO INTERVENTION

Control group

The Effects of Pranayama Breathing Technique Applied to the Elderly

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The pranayama group received Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, and Sama Vritti pranayama techniques, administered face-to-face by the researcher in groups of 6-7 participants for 15-20 minutes before lunch over 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Pranayama group

Interventions

Pranayama group BEHAVIORAL

The pranayama group received Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, and Sama Vritti pranayama techniques, administered face-to-face by the researcher in groups of 6-7 participants for 15-20 minutes before lunch over 8 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention. Data were collected from both groups at weeks 0, 4th, and 8th using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), World Health Organization Quality of Life Module for the Elderly (WHOQOL-OLD) and WHO-8 EUROHIS Quality of Life Scale.

Also known as: Intervention Group

The Effects of Pranayama Breathing Technique Applied to the Elderly

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being 60 years of age or older
• Individuals who are physically and mentally suitable to practice Pranayama breathing technique
• Individuals without a malignant disease of the respiratory system (such as bronchial and lung cancer)
• Individuals without a pathological condition affecting their level of consciousness and concentration
• Those who voluntarily agree to participate in the research
• Individuals who do not have communication problems and who cooperate in the practices required by the study

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with advanced cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension
• Individuals who are physically and cognitively unsuitable for practicing Pranayama breathing techniques
• Individuals with malignant respiratory system diseases (such as bronchial and lung cancer)
• Individuals with pathological conditions affecting consciousness and concentration (dementia, Alzheimer's, or other serious cognitive impairments)
• Individuals who did not regularly participate in Pranayama breathing techniques during the study period
• Individuals who developed a serious health problem during the research period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Namik Kemal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Nursing home

Tekirdağ, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (13)

• Urvashi Bhattacharya AD. Efficacy of advanced allied interventions for dyspnoea, exercise capacity, and quality of life among the geriatric population: A Literature Review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2024;18:YE05-YE8. Doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2024/68354.19276.

  BACKGROUND

• Mandlik GV, Siopis G, Nguyen B, Ding D, Edwards KM. Effect of a single session of yoga and meditation on stress reactivity: A systematic review. Stress and Health. 2024;40. doi: 10.1002/smi.3324.

  BACKGROUND

• Nalbant G, Hassanein ZM, Lewis S, Chattopadhyay K. Content, structure, and delivery characteristics of yoga interventions for managing hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Public Health. 2022;10:846231. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.846231.

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• Taneja MK. Presbycusis. Indian Journal of Otology. 2021;27:121-3. doi: 10.4103/indianjotol.indianjotol_165_21.

  BACKGROUND

• Campanelli S, Tort ABL, Lobão-Soares B. Pranayamas and their neurophysiological effects. International Journal of Yoga. 2020;13:183-92. doi: 10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_91_19.

  BACKGROUND

• İlter SM, Ovayolu Ö. Pranayama and nursing. Holistic Nursing Practice. 2021;35:29-33. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000421.

  BACKGROUND

• Muhammad T, Lee S, Pai M, Mandal B. Association between sleep quality, sleep duration, and physical frailty among adults aged 50 years and older in India. BMCPublicHealth. 2024;24:3120. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-20606-6.

  BACKGROUND

• Wang Z, Zeng Z. Association between personality characteristics and sleep quality among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: evidence from China family panel studies. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:2427. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-17352-6.

  BACKGROUND

• Zhang D, Ruan H, Gao MG, Chen F, Li S. Stressful life events and subjectively rated sleep quality among older adults in China: the roles of positive and negative attitudes towards ageing. Ageing & Society. 2022:1-19. doi: 10.1017/S0144686X22001222.

  BACKGROUND

• Demir OB, Şimşek ÇK, Çekmece Ç, Şen PN, Genç SG, Keskin C, et al. The effect of online mat pilates exercises on quality of life, depression, and sleep quality in female university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Istanbul Gelisim University Journal of Health Sciences. 2023:625-35. doi:10.38079/igusabder.1031574.

  BACKGROUND

• Duman İ, Ceyhan Ö, Taşcı S. Use of aromatherapy in elderly individuals. Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Lokman Hekim Journal of Medical History and Folkloric Medicine. 2024;14(3):441-9. doi: 10.31020/mutftd.1510870.

  BACKGROUND

• WHO. Ageing and health 2024 [Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health.

  BACKGROUND

• Kwon Y. YAP/TAZ as molecular targets in skeletal muscle atrophy and osteoporosis. Aging and disease. 2024;16:299. doi: 10.14336/AD.2024.0306.

  BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lung Neoplasms; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic; Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: In elderly individuals, the control group received no intervention, while the Pranayama group underwent breathing techniques. Data were collected by the researcher from both groups at weeks 0, 4, and 8 using relevant scales.
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer, PhD

Model Details: Comparison of respiratory technique applied to the intervention group with that applied to the control group in elderly individuals.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 24, 2026
• First Posted: March 5, 2026
• Study Start: November 3, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 10, 2024
• Study Completion: September 10, 2025
• Last Updated: March 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)