Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jan 26, 2022
Date Accepted: Jun 19, 2023
Expectations of tele-yoga in persons with long-term illness – a qualitative content analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Background:
Rehabilitation for people with long-term illness can be a challenge due to the difficulty of the illness and the ability to participate in group training. Yoga is a mind-body exercise that has been found to be feasible and safe even for persons with severe illness and can lead to positive effects on both physical and mental well-being. Tele-yoga is a new approach to rehabilitation for this group who may have difficulty leaving their home. Participants practice group yoga with a live-streamed yoga-instructor digitally via a tablet. We currently evaluate the tele-yoga intervention in persons with long-term illness and decided to explore the participants’ expectations of yoga in general and tele-yoga specifically. Expectations have been found to have an impact on satisfaction with treatment and care as well as influencing outcomes.
Objective:
Objective:
The aim of the study was to explore the expectations of tele-yoga in people with long-term illness before starting a tele-yoga intervention.
Methods:
Methods:
The study had an inductive qualitative design and is part of a process evaluation in an ongoing randomised controlled trial. A total of 89 study participants were interviewed before the start of a tele-yoga intervention. The interview guide included questions about their perceptions regarding yoga in general and what expectations they had of the upcoming tele-yoga. The interviews were transcribed and analysed with a qualitative content analysis.
Results:
Results:
Participants described their expectations of tele-yoga in terms of improved physical function and health, such as improved breathing, relief from discomfort, aches and pains, and increased flexibility and coordination. They also expected to gain improved psychological well-being and performance, to acquire strategies to manage stress, anger and anxiety, and to have their motivational drive strengthened. Some expectations were based on previous experiences. When asked about expectations, some thought it was difficult to know what to anticipate and some perceived that yoga was mysterious and a bit difficult to grasp. The participants also described being excited that the yoga would be taking place in a group and the expectation that the group members could inspire and encourage each other. The study participants described tele-yoga as a new and exciting technical solution that would facilitate the delivery of yoga. Some participants were a little hesitant toward the technology.
Conclusions:
Conclusions:
A broad range of expectations for tele-yoga emerged, including different aspects of improved physical function and health, along with increased mental well-being and performance. There were also expectations that the technique could facilitate the delivery of yoga, and that the format of digital togetherness in a group could be supportive. Exploring the expectations of the participants before the tele-yoga intervention may help with our understanding of the facilitators and barriers for adherence to the tele-yoga, as well as outcomes. Clinical Trial: NCT03703609
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