The Influence of Gayatri Mantra and Emotional Freedom Technique on Quality of Life of Post-Stroke Patients

PURPOSE: The quality of life in stroke patients is vital for survival. Nowadays, studies that show a decrease in quality of life in post-stroke patients are increasing. Various non-pharmacological modalities were explored in the past to improve rehabilitation. However, the study about the effects of religious mantra and its combination with the modern technique was lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to analyse the effects of Gayatri Mantra and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) on quality of life (QOL) of post-stroke patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental with pretest and posttest with the control group design was conducted. Forty-six post-stroke subjects with reduced quality of life based on Stroke Specific Quality of Life were consecutively recruited and divided into controls and intervention groups. The intervention group received additional treatment with Gayatri Mantra and EFT. In contrast, the control group attends and adheres only to the standard hospital rehabilitation program. RESULTS: All indicators and the overall score of QOL in the intervention group showed significant improvement after treatment (p<0.05) compared with no improvement in the control group. Overall, a higher QOL score was observed in the intervention group at the end of the study. Mann–Whitney test shows significant differences between the final QOL score in intervention and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Gayatri Mantra and EFT are significantly increasing the quality of life of post-stroke patients.