Alleviating Work Exhaustion, Improving Professional Fulfillment, and Influencing Positivity Among Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19: A Study on Sudarshan Kriya Yoga

Abstract

Demanding work-life and excessive workload, the conflict between professional and personal lives, problems with patients and those related to the occurrence of death and high risk for their own life are a few factors causing burnout, disengagement, and dissatisfaction in the professional lives of healthcare professionals (HCPs). The situation worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is of utmost importance to find effective solutions to mitigate the stress and anxiety adversely affecting the mental well-being and professional lives of HCPs. This study was designed to examine the efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) for alleviating work exhaustion, improving Professional Fulfillment, and influencing positivity among HCPs during COVID-19. In a comparative observation before the intervention (Pre), after the intervention (Post), and 30 days after the intervention (Day 30) in the Experimental Group (29 physicians) and Control Group (27 physicians), it was found that immediately after SKY, HCPs experienced a significant improvement in Professional Fulfillment (p = 0.009), work exhaustion (0.008), positive affect (p = 0.02), and negative affect (p < 0.001) compared to the Control Group. The effect of SKY continued until Day 30 for Professional Fulfillment and had positive and negative effects. Findings suggest that SKY elevated Professional Fulfillment among HCPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced their work exhaustion and the negative effect on their mental health. SKY can aid HCPs in maintaining their well-being when faced with unprecedented challenges.

Keywords: Sudarshan Kriya Yoga; healthcare professionals; mental wellbeing; negative affect; positive affect; professional fulfillment; work exhaustion.

FIGURE 1

Flow diagram.

FIGURE 2

(A) Gender distribution in the Experimental and Control Groups. (B) Age distribution in the Experimental and Control Groups.

FIGURE 3

(A) Average values and standard deviation at different study time points within the Experimental Group. (B) Average values and SD at different study time points in the Experimental Group.