Pranayama on stress among mothers of mentally retarded children

A study was conducted on effectiveness of pranayama on stress among mothers of mentally retarded children at selected special school in Madurai. A pre experimental one group pre test, post test design was used. 40 mothers of mentally retarded children were selected purposively. The study was conducted at Anbagam mentally retarded special school at Madurai. Pre test was conducted on the first day by using perceived stress scale after obtaining consent from all the subjects then pranayama was given about 20 minutes, once a day in the morning for 30 consecutive days for the subjects having stress as measured by the scores on perceived stress scale. Post test was assessed on 32^nd day by using the same tool. pranayama reduced the stress levels among the mothers of mentally retarded children. There was a significant association between post test level of stress and age, educational status, type of family. pranayama is cost effective, non-invasive, non-pharmacological complementary and alternative therapy to reduce the level of stress among mothers of mentally retarded children.