Mental health and family quality of life after yoga and compassion meditation: A randomised feasibility study among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nepal.

BACKGROUND

Mothers of children with intellectual disabilities often experience stress, anxiety, and depression, impacting family quality of life (FQOL). Yoga and compassion meditation program (YCMP) may offer accessible strategies to support wellbeing. This feasibility study explored preliminary effects of brief YCMP on mental health and FQOL outcomes among mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in Nepal.

METHOD: A randomised feasibility study enrolled 103 mothers; 90 completed assessments. The YCMP included a 75-minute in-person session, take-home practices, and a 6-week refresher. Outcomes included perceived stress, anxiety and depression symptoms, and FQOL.

RESULTS

Post-intervention, YCMP participants were in the "acceptable" satisfaction category for disability-related support and physical/material wellbeing, and low perceived stress, compared with controls. Within the intervention group, anxiety and depression symptoms decreased, while emotional wellbeing and parenting satisfaction improved.

CONCLUSION

YCMP may improve mental health and FQOL for mothers of children with intellectual disabilities in low-resource settings. Larger randomised studies are warranted.