Expectations of Tele-Yoga in Persons with Long-Term Illness

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Swedish research council Expectations of tele-yoga in persons with long-term illness Background Rehabilitation for people with long-term illness, such as various cardiac disease including heart failure or patients with an Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), can be a challenge due to the severity of the illness and the ability to participate in group training. Yoga is a mind-body exercise that is feasible and safe, and can lead to long-term positive effects on both physical and mental well-being. Tele-yoga is a new approach of rehabilitation for this group who may have difficulty leaving their home, where participants practice group yoga with a live-streamed yoga-instructor digitally via a tablet from home. Purpose The aim of the study was to explore the expectations of tele-yoga in people with long-term illness before starting a remotely group yoga intervention at home. Methods The study had a qualitative design and is part of a process evaluation in an ongoing randomised controlled trial, where participants in the intervention group receive yoga online in a group, twice a week for 12 weeks. In total 89 participants were interviewed of which 67 participants were diagnosed with heart failure, 22 participants had an ICD or were admitted to intensive care. The interviews took place before the start of a tele-yoga intervention. The average age was 64.8 (±11.6) year, 67% were male. The interview guide included questions about perceptions about yoga and what expectations they had of participating in tele-yoga. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results Participants described expectations of tele-yoga to improve physical function and health, improved breathing, relief from discomfort, ache and pain, increased flexibility and coordination. They also expected improved psychological well-being and performance, get strategies to manage stress, anger, and anxiety and strengthened motivation drive. Some expectations were based on previous experiences. When asked about expectations some thought it was difficult to know what to anticipate but described a general excitement. The participants described that it would be exciting and fun that yoga took place in a group and expected that they could inspire and encourage each other. They also described tele-yoga as a new and exciting technical solution for being physically active in groups, the technology expected to be easy to use and would facilitate the delivery of yoga. Conclusions The expectations for tele-yoga varied, improved physical function and health together with increased mental well-being and performance emerged. Also, expectation that technical solution could facilitate the delivery of yoga, and the group could be supportive. By studying the expectations of participants in tele-yoga, we can more easily understand what influences to participate and how expectations might influence barriers and adherence to the tele-yoga intervention and be related to outcomes.