Authors: Ms. Sneha Ghule
Abstract: Background: Anxiety can affect psychological well-being and daily functioning. Meditation is used as a complementary relaxation practice. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of concentrative meditation on anxiety levels among people in a selected rehabilitation centre in Pune. Methods: A quantitative quasi-experimental study was conducted using a non-equivalent control-group approach. Sixty people aged 18–60 years were selected through non-probability quota sampling. Anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Scale. Participants received concentrative meditation using a breathing technique for 14 days, and anxiety was assessed following the intervention. Descriptive statistics, a paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used. Results: The mean anxiety score decreased from 32.34 (SD=4.49) before the intervention to 21.25 (SD=1.60) after the intervention. The reported t value was 27.23 (p<0.001). The reported anxiety-category distribution shifted from predominantly moderate and severe anxiety before the intervention to minimal and mild anxiety after the intervention. Gender, occupation, income, marital status and family type were reported to have statistically significant associations with anxiety scores. Conclusion: The findings indicate a reduction in anxiety scores following a 14-day concentrative meditation programme among people in a selected rehabilitation centre in Pune.
