Effectiveness of the Receptive Music Relaxation Technique in Reducing Stress Among Elderly People in Selected Old Age Home

Abstract

Senior citizens of our country are leading a stressful life increase the risk of depression, and other mental health problems which compromise their physical health and happiness. Restoration, maintenance and improvement of physical and mental wellbeing of elderly, especially those who institutionalized in old age homes, become a social commitment of welfare state like India. Present study aimed to find out the effectiveness of Receptive Music Relaxation Technique (RMRT) on perceived stress of elderly people in old age homes. The Quasi experimental study followed pre-test and post-test control group design. A sample of 48 inmates (Male = 30, Female = 18) in the age range 65 – 80, selected from Sneha Nikethan Old Age Home, Koothuparambu, Kannur, constituted subjects for the study. Pre-test of perceived stress was conducted on both control and experimental groups by administering the Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. The experimental group was intervened with 20 minutes RMRT intervention morning and evening a period of six days. Post experimental measure was carried out 7th day to assess the stress. Analysis of the data revealed that prior to experimental intervention, both the control group and experimental group were found to be alike in their perceived stress. While the control condition did not bring about any significant difference in the perceived stress, the RMRT was found to be effective in causing significant decrease in the perceived stress of institutionalized elderly people. The study concluded that the receptive music relaxation technique will be effective in reducing perceived stress of elderly people in old age homes. The study has also thrown light into avenues opened for further research.