The effectiveness of pranic complementary therapy to reduce post COVID-19 anxiety in elderly

Abstract

Background. COVID-19 affects all aspects of life globally including the elderly who are a vulnerable population experiencing psychosocial disorders. They are vulnerable to mental disorders during the pandemic such as stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and aggravation of pre-existing mental disorders. The choice of anxiety therapy in the elderly is prioritized to be non-pharmacological therapy to avoid polypharmacy and the side effects of pharmacological therapy. Pranic healing therapy is a complementary therapy that can be a therapeutic option used to reduce anxiety in the elderly after suffering from COVID-19. Methods. This research is an experimental study with a randomized controlled trial design. Furthermore, 20 elderly patients with post-COVID-19 anxiety who received pharmacological therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with pranic therapy intervention were compared with the control 20 elderly patients post-COVID-19 with pharmacological therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy without Prana therapy. Results. The characteristics of patients were > 66 years old, mostly male, married, accompanied by comorbid diseases, treated in non-intensive rooms, and experiencing moderate-severe anxiety before getting Prana complementary therapy.