Effectiveness of Physiotherapy intervention on anxiety among hospital housekeeping workers during and post COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers, including housekeeping staff, who experience elevated levels of anxiety. This group has been under-addressed in mental health interventions.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) and relaxation techniques in reducing anxiety among hospital housekeeping workers during the pandemic.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with two groups: Group A received tVNS, while Group B underwent a combination of Bhramari Pranayama and Jacobson Relaxation Technique. Outcome tool used-GAD-7 scale, and salivary cortisol levels. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for within-group comparisons and Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test for between-group comparisons.

Results

The tVNS group showed a significant reduction in GAD-7 scores (pre-test median: 17.0, post-test median: 13.0) and salivary cortisol levels (pre-test mean: 2.35, post-test mean: 1.72), with statistical significance (p < 0.001). The relaxation techniques group also demonstrated a decrease in GAD-7 scores (pre-test median: 17.0, post-test median: 15.5) and cortisol levels (pre-test mean: 2.42, post-test mean: 2.13), though with less pronounced effects compared to the tVNS group. Between-group comparisons revealed that the tVNS group had significantly lower post-test GAD-7 scores and cortisol levels than the relaxation techniques group.

Conclusion

The study concludes the effectiveness of taVNS in reducing anxiety and physiological stress among hospital housekeeping workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. While relaxation techniques also contributed to reducing anxiety, taVNS provided a more substantial impact.