The effect of yoga on insomnia and quality of life among nursing professionals during COVID-19: A pre-post-test interventional study.

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a toll on the well-being and quality of life (QoL) of healthcare professionals, especially nurses. Insomnia, a common consequence of the pandemic, adds to the physical and mental strain on healthcare workers.

AIM

This study aimed to assess the impact of workplace yoga intervention on insomnia severity and QoL among female nursing and healthcare professionals during the pandemic.

METHODS

A pre-post-interventional study was conducted among 173 nursing professionals working in a hospital setting. Baseline assessments collected age, body mass index (BMI), insomnia severity using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and QoL using the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF). A 6-week workplace yoga intervention was conducted by trained professionals, followed by posttest assessments.

RESULTS

Among 173 participants, 57 had insomnia. Participants without significant insomnia had higher QoL scores ( < 0.001). Following the yoga intervention, both subthreshold and moderate clinical insomnia groups experienced reduced insomnia severity ( < 0.001). Quality-of-life scores in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains improved significantly ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Workplace yoga intervention appears to be a promising approach to alleviate insomnia and enhance QoL among female nursing and healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing tailored workplace yoga programs can play a crucial role in promoting the well-being and resilience of healthcare workers, contributing to a positive work environment and improved patient care outcomes.