Effectiveness of Yoga to Reduce Stress Amongst Healthcare Workers at Aged Care Facilities in Dementia Ward

This study explores the effectiveness of yoga in reducing stress amongst healthcare workers in aged care facilities dealing with dementia patients. The research design includes epistemology philosophy and explorative design procedure. Outcomes reveal that participants who had taken part in the yoga experienced lesser amounts of stress compared to participants that did not take part in the procedure. The study has very limited significance as it is not yet broadly applied.

SNPG905
“MINOR PROJECT”
2018
Topic: Effectiveness of Yoga to reduce stress amongst
Healthcare Workers at Aged Care Facilities in Dementia
Ward
[1]

Abstract
Introduction: Dementia is one of the leading mental health challenges that are on a continuous
rise across Australia. Healthcare workers who handles aged patient’s patient with dementia,
experiences stress that can be relieved using yoga, which offers a valuable technique for
overcoming of the same.
Background to the Study: Various healthcare facilities are trying to coordinate procedures such
that they can conduct yoga amongst healthcare workers in aged care with dementia at bupa
Baulkham hills aged care facility. While some healthcare workers want to coordinate and do
yoga others do not. But literature review of various articles proves the process to have significant
health benefits.
Research Design: In order to conduct the study, the scholar had to adhere to the selection of
epistemology philosophy and explorative design procedure. Moreover, a questionnaire was
prepared and handed across to participants whose feedback was analyzed. 20 participants were
posed with 10 questions for the process.
Outcomes: Outcomes of pre and post-intervention using yoga procedures revealed that
participants who had taken part in the yoga experienced lesser amounts of stress compared to
participants that did not take part in the procedure.
Discussions: The yoga processes and procedures cannot be implemented on participants facing
any sort of complicated conditions. This study has very limited significance as it is not yet
broadly applied.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that yoga does benefit relieving stress, however, there are
various challenges to implementing such procedures as well.
[2]

Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................2
1.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................4
1.1 Project’s Aims...................................................................................................................5
1.2 Rationale and significance of project.....................................................................................5
2.0 Background of the Study......................................................................................................6
2.1 Developing, testing, and adapting to those who live with dementia and follow the correct
yoga regimen................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Selecting the right person to participate in a yoga session....................................................7
2.3 Assessment of Patient Demand..............................................................................................8
2.4 Having a suitable working environment to support the implementation of soft yoga training
in home-based care.......................................................................................................................9
3.0 Project Design..........................................................................................................................10
3.1 Research Philosophy............................................................................................................10
3.2 Approach to the Research....................................................................................................11
3.3 Research Design...................................................................................................................12
3.4 Research Method..................................................................................................................12
3.5 Sampling and Related Techniques.......................................................................................14
3.6 Methods of Data Collection.................................................................................................14
3.7 Data Analysis Methods........................................................................................................15
3.8 Ethical considerations..........................................................................................................15
3.0 Outcomes............................................................................................................................16
5.0 Discussion................................................................................................................................18
5.1 Projects limitations...............................................................................................................19
5.2 Barriers and Challenges.......................................................................................................19
5.3 Opportunities and Recommendations..................................................................................19
6.0 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................20
7.0 References................................................................................................................................21
8.0 Appendix..................................................................................................................................23
8.1 Appendix 1: Questionnaire..................................................................................................23
[3]

1.0 Introduction
Dementia Australia indicates that currently approximately 425,000 people are living with it and
250 Australians are developing dementia regularly. Symptoms of the condition include memory
loss, difficulty in daily tasks, language problems, time and space distortion, and other bad things
which might occur in case the conditions go undiagnosed (Whitebird et al., 2012). It can also
trigger be personality changes, which also includes depression, anxiety, anger, and lack of
initiative. Healthcare workers dealing with these types of patients experience high levels of
stress.
Globally the problem is growing rapidly as in 2015; 46.8 million people around the world were
estimated suffered from Dementia. The figure is expected to be twice every 20 years, which can
reach 74.7 million in 2030 and can be 131.5 million in 2050. Ministry of Health in Australia
recommends that adult spend at least two hours each week to average orbital activity per week
and muscle-building activity two or more days a week. However, multiple healthcare workers of
care facilities have been noted to have very little physical activity. Regular yoga training is a safe
and effective way that person can work on these recommendations. Yoga and exercise-based
exercises have proved effective responses to common conditions such as concern, depression,
co-relation and balance problems (Klainin-Yobas et al., 2015). However, till today, some homes
provide yoga care as a regular activity. The scope of this current analysis evaluates the
effectiveness of yoga on healthcare workers of aged care with Dementia for the purpose of
relieving their stress.
[4]

1.1 Project’s Aims
In order to arrive at goals of the project, the following project aims need to be catered to. PICOT
questions have been adopted for the study.
o Research Aim 1: P-Patient Problem-Health care workers in Dementia ward
o Research Aim 2: I-Intervention-Yoga intervention with or without
o Research Aim 3: C-Comparison-Group who underwent no or any intervention and other
went for intervention
o Research Aim 4: O-Outcome-To reduce stress amongst the health care workers
o Research Aim 5: T-Time-7 weeks
1.2 Rationale and significance of the project
With gradual rise in incidence of patients experiencing dementia at an old age, there has been a
rise in symptoms as well that includes loss of memory, and it is difficult to perform everyday
tasks, language problems, time and space, depression, anxiety, anger and loss of initiative,
including prevention, personality changes (Oken et al., 2010). With the rate of rising in dementia
patients in the last few years, means to develop and explore measures to improve the lives of
people living with dementia, their families and carers have been the central focus of Australian
health department. Department of health had been proposing the inclusion of health and
muscular development activity amongst healthcare workers, who are responsible for dealing with
such patients. Yoga implementation in healthcare workers of patients with dementia, has proved
to be an effective intervention (Fan & Chen, 2011). Yoga can be one of the procedures regular
application of which might deliver some potential benefit on healthcare worker’s mental as well
[5]

as physical health patient livelihood. It might help improve health conditions along with bringing
about recovery from dementia conditions.
2.0 Background of the Study
Medication along with other healthcare intervention methods is regular with healthcare workers,
who handles aged people facing dementia. In the current literature review of various sources,
procedures that other qualitative and quantitative studies have made used off are taken into
consideration (Fan & Chen, 2011). The scholar has designed similar study procedure using
appropriate research methods techniques to arrive at findings related to the study. The scholar
prior to implementing operation related to yoga on healthcare worker in-charge of old aged
patient with a serious mental illness had adopted a number of regular session as has been guided
in several kinds of literature.
2.1 Developing, testing, and adapting to follow the correct yoga regimen
Literatures developed around the world to find people to work for the aged care facilities of
several yoga chains examination revealed several understanding. Analysis of such related yoga
reveals dementia being related to family, and to help them, people and staff can immensely
benefit. It is also proven that those who work for home and care that can be involved in the
movie based on a short, simple yoga sequence. Lavretsky et al. (2013) identified coordination of
activities and health care, as well as local people to work with this group of proposed
amendments, especially the sequence of input music instruments. Yoga is an adaptive exercise
and healthcare workers in each group may need to be slightly different, so it is off the chain, and
changing them, some feel that having their problems is important. It will keep people engaged
and help to people-centered interaction. The key, as well as their human-centered sessions, is that
[6]

people have a private agency, which will make their own decisions. Oken, Fonareva & Wahbeh
(2011) proposes this list will be constructed and modified once encountered as a teacher yoga
coordinator and assistant, health care and continuity resident. This was later made and later
found to increase the number of others.
2.2 Selecting the right person to participate in a yoga session
Yoga coordinators often have to strive to select the right people for the practice. While selecting
participants it is necessary to choose healthcare workers who can monitor the verbal and physical
context. Healthcare workers that participated in yoga, during the session they were not forced to
do anything and were free to leave at any time (Stuckey & Nobel, 2010). In such pilot Yoga
Projects, coordinators often discussed the relationship of relatives and loved ones who were
informed about it and participated in it. In the project, some healthcare workers have deteriorated
their status, but some new participants had not been introduced. In such projects, the project team
decided with the ethical view that the selection of activities was more important than the
continuous outcome of the project.
The project team discussed the best way to look at the project and actually considered different
scales such as aerial pain or fragile scales (Köhn et al. 2013). Healthcare workers have been
assessed on the happiness, history of any day, and related articles where yoga assistants have
been proven in the past. Cross-Yoga Exercises all activities can be provided by the Coordinator
and have been observed by the Health Care Assistant.
In some cases, the activity is more focused on one person in the moderator session. However, in
some cases, it is believed that to provide more than one session where yoga can be more
[7]

adaptable, it may be more beneficial. This might be considered in a broader study; however, it
will be done by a qualified yoga trainer or need more extensive training on home care workers,
and therefore will require more resources (White, 2012).
The initial results are analyzed for one project in one month and from the basic analysis, it is
clear that all people cannot attend meetings. For the project focused on people, it is important to
respect their demands. These responses project angles also realize that all people will not
participate in all sessions. It calculates the estimate of non-contribution to individual
participation in individual elections and mentality and malnutrition (Epstein-Lubow et al., 2011).
The project team decided to create a series of meetings for new people who are interested in
joining, or those who actively think about the activists they can use from the Yoga Summit. It
allows this way to remain flexible and respondent for the needs of people and family changes.
The fact is that people live with democracy, need change and demand over time. In future (other
projects), it will be useful for a qualified Yoga teacher to help with a number of people to work
together to resolve the problems.
2.3 Assessment of Participants Demand
Evaluation is a powerful tool to assess performance. Medical assistants, who are identified with
the people and their goals, have the responsibility to monitor and register public participation,
and in the course of the session, every kind of opinion or federation creates people. Cramer et al.
(2013) propose that yoga has a lot of participants for the selected pilot that has different levels of
communication problems. In terms of improvement, many healthcare workers who attended the
pilot showed a good level of public security.
[8]

2.4 Having a suitable working environment to support the implementation of
soft yoga training
Innes et al. (2012) emphasize the importance of establishing a realistic environment to support
trainees, as well as providing adjoining yoga training. The reason for this is that understanding of
operational issues and potential barriers are critical to the success of the project, especially if it is
difficult to add new applications to international resources. Values and beliefs include
discussions about the values and beliefs of all who draw people's attention. These people have
focused on common values and beliefs and have had a clear and honest conversation about
caring for people. The group is divided into two groups to join and listen. Both groups first
studied the common values of caring for humans. Then, as a result of the creative exercises
created by the participants, focused medical care was provided to the participants. Finally,
exercise participants have tried several simple yoga exercises and breathing exercises, including
some spinal exercises and three respiratory exercises (Gururaja et al., 2011). Participants were
asked how to view and report to the group before and after their feelings. The popularity of yoga
in the West has led to many disagreements about what it is and who it belonged to.
[9]

3.0 Project Design
While doing any study, research methodology forms a significant part of the study and it should
be regarded with utmost attention (Lewis, 2015). This section contains the research methodology
of the study that has been undertaken by the scholars thereby successfully completing it by
meeting the objectives and getting to solutions of the problem. The first chapter of the study
describes various aspects of research methodology and later part consists of the reasons behind
choosing particular methods for coming to a final result.
3.1 Research Philosophy
A research philosophy lays the foundation of the entire study by building its outline structure.
There are four different kinds of research philosophies namely Epistemology, Ontology,
Rhetoric, and Axiology. It is up to the scholar to select any one from these (Maxwell, 2012). A
scholar can use Epistemology research philosophy when the main goal of the study is to break
down the segments of study and make a sequence of the specifics related to it in a correct area. A
researcher can use Ontology when the main objective is to duplicate how each individual
understands the concepts of realism and truth behind everything. Rhetoric philosophy can be
used when the final goal is to get a detailed view of the problem at hand and then understanding
the parts that are interconnected to get to the final result to come upon a decision. Axiology can
be used when the researcher considers aesthetics and ethics as the most important parameters in
the study. For the purpose of this study epistemology research philosophy has been used which
breaks down and analyses each and every benefit arising from yoga to arrive at final findings
related to relieving stress.
[10]

3.2 Approach to the Research
There are various ways to approach the study, Qualitative and Quantitative approach and /or
Inductive or Deductive approach and they fall under the umbrella of research approach (Meyers,
Gamst & Guarino, 2016). It depends on the researcher to select any one of these to proceed with
the study.
Qualitative and Quantitative Approach
In Qualitative approach, an examination is formulated which works on the principle of
reminiscence and subjective approach is used to come to the results. The quantitative approach
takes the number obtained through analysis of various statistical and/or mathematical tools into
consideration. The study has made use of qualitative approach only in order to arrive at findings
related to the study.
The deductive or Inductive research approach
In Deductive approach, various theories are applied to come to the end result of research.
In Inductive approach, observations are made as the first step, then they are studied and the
results are obtained based on the studies to form theories.
3.3 Research Design
A research design comprises one of the most critical aspects of research methodology which
allows the efficiency as well as functionality for the entire methods thereby forming an
operational research process (Christensen et al., 2011).
.
[11]

There are four types of research designs, namely, Exploratory, Descriptive, Explanatory and
Predictive designs. Exploratory design can be used when there is less information about the
study and more information needs to be obtained from various sources to get a solution. The
descriptive design is used when extensive details are required for various circumstances of the
study. The explanatory design is used when the researcher wants to settle on the fundamental
associations of the parameters that are studied. The predictive design is used when the results
obtained through explanatory research are used to predict the upcoming occurrences. In order to
evaluate this study, exploratory research design has been used. In explorative research design
procedure all processes and procedures related to a particular study are evaluated and then a
selected procedure is applied.
3.4 Research Method
Research methods encompasses the techniques used by a researcher for the purpose of collection
from information from sources that are primary in nature for the purpose of supporting research
design and thus adhere to research objectives (Mitchell & Jolley, 2012). The various research
methods that can be used are given below.
Research Tools
Observation: There are primary two main types of observations, such as Participative and
Structured in nature. Structured observations are used when the researcher has used the
Qualitative method to obtain records of study after a thorough analysis of the predefined
segments.
[12]

Participative observation is used when the researcher has undertaken the Quantitative method in
which the researcher takes part in real set up with other sample participants and the results are
derived based on personal experiences.
Interviews: Structured interviews and Semi-structured are the two types of personal interviews
that can be selected.
In Structured interviews, the interviewee behaves in accordance with a predefined code which is
determined by the interviewer and this limits the flexibility of the interviewee.
Semi-structured interviews are more flexible in which the conversation between interviewer and
interviewee takes place on a few predefined sets of parameters and these are not fully controlled.
Questionnaires: Depending upon the type of study and research aims, the researcher can opt for
either Close-ended or Open-ended questionnaires.
A close-ended questionnaire contains a list of questions with pre-defined opinion choices given
to sample respondents.
In case of Open-ended questionnaires, the respondents are provided the liberty to give their
opinions without any restrictions.
Focus groups: In this method, the researcher forms a group of a specified number of people for
the purpose of discussions on a given problem topic. During such discussions, the researcher
takes a note of perspectives of each individual group member and interprets results. For the
purpose of this study, the scholar has made use of questionnaire comprising of 10 questions as
attached in Appendix 1 below. These questionnaires have been provided across to participants at
[13]

the beginning of the study and towards the studies end. Assimilating all feedback collected from
the participants at the beginning and at the end of the study detailed findings were arrived at.
3.5 Sampling and Related Techniques
Sampling is the process of selecting a suitable template, which can represent the whole
population. In general, the sample size is selected for research, because almost all the views of
all members of the population cannot be used. The results of the sample are poured, which is a
mass view. The researcher has the ability to choose from probability or probability sampling
procedures. The scholar for the purpose of this study has collected data randomly from 20
participants in order to arrive at findings related to the same. They were furnished with 10
questions as attached in Appendix 1. Data was collected in regards to pre-finding and post-
finding.
3.6 Methods of Data Collection
There are two methods for collecting data, these are, Primary and Secondary sources. Primary
information is collected to meet specific research needs, but secondary sources contain
information that has already been published. Main information was collected from two groups of
respondents, employees and case managers. Some employees were physically registered in
companies' offices randomly and asked to participate in the survey. When they agreed, they were
given questionnaires and data gathered. Since it was not possible to physically deliver all the
employees, they received their e-mail ID and asked them to take part in the process by answering
the questions sent by e-mail and the same medium. In the case of interviews, patients with age-
related dementia were addressed by sitting and sitting at a scheduled time. Secondary data was
[14]

collected from various sources, such as magazines, articles, books, magazines, newsletters,
government magazines, newspapers and internet publications and so on.
3.7 Data Analysis Methods
All types of qualitative data that had been collected for the purpose of the interview had been
assimilated at then analyzed. Qualitative data that has been obtained using interviews have been
descriptively analyzed.
3.8 Ethical considerations
The study had adhered to the following ethical considerations.
• Ensure that there is no manipulation of the collected information.
• Respondents are aware of the security of information by ensuring confidentiality, isolation and
incomprehension.
• Participation of respondents was non-committal and was not enforced in any form.
• The research objectives, the aim and the scope of this study were well explained by the
respondent, so that the entire communication was transparent.
• The researcher has ensured that he has not assumed any bias in any form whatsoever.
3.0 Outcomes
A multidisciplinary project team was built with a specialist in collaboration with a Yoga teacher,
a Coordinator of Activity, a Health Care Assistant, who worked have previous work experiences.
[15]

This team worked together for the needs of the aged dementia population. Based on the demand
of the population, various Yoga-based sequences were designed, tested, refined, and then
implemented. The plan was to introduce any new intervention project members with support, for
example, by encouraging people to attend meetings. This is a comprehensive understanding of
the yoga program and the purpose of its expected benefits. Yoga classes were running twice a
week for one continuous month. Many benefits have been identified, whereas patients informed
about physical improvement, good goodness and a more sense of rest. At the end of the project,
interview was conducted with major project participants. Based on these interviews and previous
evaluation, the project team has concluded that special yoga exercises have a successful
intervention to provide aged dementia patient with reduced stress levels.
During the course of the yoga project and formal evaluation, a total of 20 healthcare workers
participated. There are ten men and ten women from seventy-eight onwards who had
participated.
The yoga teacher has developed
modification specifically designed to
meet the needs of this group.
Evidence
Observations were made in each yoga
class and were written regarding their
stress factors.
Feedback from resident residents and
many residents make statements like "I
really like it", "I love going to yoga". Residents comment on a variety of aspects of yoga such as
[16]

general welfare, physical benefits, and relaxation and meditation tips. They also commented on
the classroom aspects they wanted to change.
Feedback on general happiness
About the general welfare residents reported:
"I would like to do that again and I really like it"
"I really enjoy being with everyone" Beth
"I like to do it (yoga) a lot"
Maureen
"I really love it". Other replied
"I love to move. I feel very
motivated"
Some residents have more
communication with speech issues
like Ray showed their interest in
the classroom by smiling
throughout the classroom and
offering a 'thumb up'.
Kathleen, who reported that he had a bad return and did not participate much in that day said:
"I feel better for the forthcoming effort" on another occasion when she returns better, she says "I
feel great until today and it breaks the day"
"I love yoga for my feet," Wendy said.
Joan, who reports that there is pain before the sale of yoga, said after the session:
[17]

"I feel better and look forward to coming every week." He also said, "It's great and I'm going
back again."
Therefore drawing from these several outcomes, participants revealed that they had experienced
fewer amounts of stress after the intervention procedure than compared to before the processes.
The following are some of results obtained from pre-tests (referred to as 2) and posttest (referred
to as 1) from healthcare workers. In order to understand their levels of stress, certain tests that
have been performed are Blood (Cortisol)(ug/dL), Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg), Heart Rate
(beats/ minute) and Daily Sleep hours.
Blood
(Cortisol)(ug/d
L)
Systolic Blood
Pressure (mmHg)
Heart Rate
(beats/mint)
Daily Sleep
hours (hours)
Test
Conditio
n
28 134 83 7 2
25 141 95 7 2
27 138 90 5 2
30 141 94 6 2
29 135 89 6 2
33 127 91 4 2
26 130 88 4 2
28 133 84 3 2
29 137 95 3 2
25 126 85 5 2
26 134 86 4 2
27 148 83 6 2
28 129 86 4 2
30 126 83 6 2
27 129 92 5 2
24 146 88 4 2
26 133 86 6 2
28 140 80 4 2
25 129 91 6 2
26 138 95 3 2
20 125 84 6 1
14 125 77 7 1
16 124 83 7 1
18 116 70 7 1
14 120 82 8 1
[18]

18 118 78 9 1
10 120 73 7 1
20 118 73 6 1
22 124 84 7 1
25 118 70 6 1
22 122 75 6 1
18 115 77 7 1
19 119 80 6 1
18 115 70 7 1
19 121 81 7 1
17 122 81 7 1
15 122 80 8 1
16 125 70 9 1
15 115 72 9 1
18 118 77 6 1
Ascertaining outcomes from the above data, the following inferences can be obtained as;
Descriptives
N Mean Std.
Deviatio
n
Std.
Erro
r
95%
Confidence
Interval for
Mean
Minimu
m
Maximu
m
Lowe
r
Boun
d
Uppe
r
Boun
d
Blood
(Cortisol)(ug/d
L)
Yog
a
2
0
17.70 3.342 .747 16.14 19.26 10 25
No
Yog
a
2
0
27.35 2.159 .483 26.34 28.36 24 33
Tota
l
4
0
22.53 5.620 .889 20.73 24.32 10 33
Systolic Blood
Pressure
(mmHg)
Yog
a
2
0
120.1
0
3.463 .774 118.4
8
121.7
2
115 125
No
Yog
a
2
0
134.7
0
6.392 1.42
9
131.7
1
137.6
9
126 148
Tota
l
4
0
127.4
0
8.967 1.41
8
124.5
3
130.2
7
115 148
[19]

Heart Rate
(beats/mint)
Yog
a
2
0
76.85 4.955 1.10
8
74.53 79.17 70 84
No
Yog
a
2
0
88.20 4.572 1.02
2
86.06 90.34 80 95
Tota
l
4
0
82.53 7.428 1.17
5
80.15 84.90 70 95
Daily Sleep
hours (hours)
Yog
a
2
0
7.10 1.021 .228 6.62 7.58 6 9
No
Yog
a
2
0
4.90 1.294 .289 4.29 5.51 3 7
Tota
l
4
0
6.00 1.601 .253 5.49 6.51 3 9
Yoga No Yoga Total
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
Blood Cortisol
Test Condition
Cortisol level
Figure 1: Blood Cortisol Levels Comparison Pre-test and Post-levels
[20]

Yoga No Yoga Total
70.00
72.00
74.00
76.00
78.00
80.00
82.00
84.00
86.00
88.00
90.00
Systolic Heart Rate
Test Condition
Hear beat rate
Figure 2: Systolic Heart Rate of Pre-Test and Post-Test Conditions
Yoga No Yoga Total
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
Daily Sleep hours
Test Conidtion
Dily average sleep hours
Figure 3: Daily Sleep hours
[21]

Test of Homogeneity of Variances
Levene Statistic df1 df2 Sig.
Blood (Cortisol)(ug/dL) 1.857 1 38 .181
Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg) 6.468 1 38 .015
Heart Rate (beats/mint) .221 1 38 .641
Daily Sleep hours (hours) 3.135 1 38 .085
ANOVA
Sum of
Squares df
Mean
Square F Sig.
Blood (Cortisol)(ug/dL) Between
Groups
931.225 1 931.225 117.66
1
.000
Within Groups 300.750 38 7.914
Total 1231.975 39
Systolic Blood Pressure (mmHg) Between
Groups
2131.600 1 2131.60
0
80.678 .000
Within Groups 1004.000 38 26.421
Total 3135.600 39
Heart Rate (beats/mint) Between
Groups
1288.225 1 1288.22
5
56.674 .000
Within Groups 863.750 38 22.730
Total 2151.975 39
Daily Sleep hours (hours) Between
Groups
48.400 1 48.400 35.643 .000
Within Groups 51.600 38 1.358
Total 100.000 39
5.0 Discussion
Analysis of outcomes post application of yoga procedures has revealed various findings. Most of
the findings being of positive in nature, there are greater benefits that can accrue to healthcare
workers of dementia patients, who are facing acute syndromes of stress levels. Yoga, as well as
meditation, can bring about substantial benefits to a large number of healthcare workers of aged
[22]

people who are prone to develop other types of illness due to the prevalence of a mental
condition. The following have been some of the project limitations, challenges, barriers as well
as opportunities and recommendations for the project implemented.
5.1 Projects limitations
The study is limited by the fact that sample size used for this research is very small when
compared to population size. It is due to this fact that the sample cannot be considered as a due
representative of the entire population. The project scope had been limited to health care center
across Australia only, whereas healthcare workers for dementia is a major condition that affects
global population.
5.2 Barriers and Challenges
Conducting the study had been an extremely difficult endeavor to obtain funds and permission
from other health care workers in bupa Baulkham hills aged care facilities as well as healthcare
centers. It was rather impossible at one point in time to convince regarding the positive health
benefits of practicing yoga and then implementing the same for healthcare workers, especially
amongst aged groups. While obtaining permission at a healthcare center in Australia, it was
rather difficult to convince the healthcare workers to do yoga with the practitioner. The biggest
challenge faced was in identifying ways to motivate them to take out time to take part in the
practice. These have been the several barriers and challenges faced by the project undertaken.
[23]

5.3 Opportunities and Recommendations
Though it was rather difficult in implementing yoga procedures or getting required permissions
for the same, it later emerged to be of great benefits. There has been a large number of calls and
emails requesting to implement similar yoga procedures for other health canter facilities as well.
It implied that the benefits of relieving stress in healthcare workers had become quite popular.
There are certain recommendations that need to be kept in mind while suggesting yoga for
patients, they are;
 Special care has to be taken while suggesting yoga for healthcare workers as it might
affect their time schedules and hamper their work performances.
 A yoga schedule needs to be maintained such that benefits from the same are able to
accrue to these patients. As benefits will not be understandable in a single time frame.
 Yoga can be practiced in conjunction with meditation such that participants are not
bored with the procedures of yoga.
6.0 Conclusion
Healthcare workers dealing with aged patients facing Dementia are prone to various kinds of
stress as they are often exposed to varied types of stress inducing factors. One of the possible
manners that healthcare centers, residential facilities, and hospitals relieve such stress is by
continuous engagement. It has been proven across varied studies that yoga can bring about relief
and bring about calmness in people. The procedure of this study along with research processes
applied reveals that yoga does have some positive signs in lives of healthcare workers. With
regular yoga, greater benefits can be brought about by reducing overall health expenditures,
[24]

including better coordination of muscles and brain functioning. This study is bound to have
positive influence and effect on the general population who are increasingly facing dementia.
[25]

7.0 References
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[27]

8.0 Appendix
8.1 Appendix 1: Questionnaire
[28]
Questionnaire
1. Have you already practiced yoga?
a. Yes
b. No
2. Do you like yoga classes?
a. Yes
b. No
3. What do you like about it?
a. Yes
b. No
4. How do you feel in the classroom?
a. Yes
b. No
5. Has yoga increased your average sleep hours?
a. Yes
b. No
Average Sleep Hours before yoga
Average Sleep Hours after yoga
6. Do you feel any difference in pulse rate?
a. Yes
b. No
Heart Rate before yoga
Heart Rate after yoga
7. Do you want to continue the class?
a. Yes
b. No
8. If we record classes on a CD, do you think you would use it at home?
a. Yes
b. No