A qualitative approach exploring the acceptability of yoga for minorities living with arthritis: ‘Where are the people who look like me?’

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the acceptability of yoga research tailored to recruit and retain a minority population (both English and Spanish speaking) with arthritis. Yoga research for arthritis often underrepresents minorities and acceptability for this population has not previously been investigated.DesignAcceptability was evaluated using retention, adherence, journals, and semi-structured exit interviews from twelve participants with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis undergoing an 8-week yoga intervention. Journal quotes were analyzed using content analysis techniques. NVivo software was used to organize transcripts and assemble themes. Two methods of triangulation (data and investigator) were used to overcome potential bias from a single-perspective interpretation. Exit interview comments were content analyzed using a card sort method. The study was designed with a cultural infrastructure including a multicultural research team, translators, and bilingual materials and classes, to facilitate trust and acceptability for primarily Hispanic and Black/African-American adults.SettingWashington, D.C. metropolitan area, USA.ResultsOn average participants attended 10 of 16 classes, with home practice 2–3 days a week. All who completed were still practicing yoga three-months later. Qualitative narrative analysis identified major themes related to facilitating factors and barriers for yoga practice, self-efficacy, and support. Participant comments indicated that offering an arthritis-based yoga intervention and using a culturally congruent research design was found to be acceptable.ConclusionsAs yoga research grows, there is a need to understand and promote acceptability for typically under-represented populations. This study attempts to inform the expansion of multicultural research designed to recruit and retain those from diverse backgrounds.

Enhancing yoga participation: A qualitative investigation of barriers and facilitators to yoga among predominantly racial/ethnic minority, low-income adults

“…First, promotion of the benefits of yoga could be advantageous. The existing qualitative literature has documented perceived benefits of yoga among racial/ethnic minorities (Atkinson & Permuth-Levine, 2009; Keosaian et al, 2016; Middleton et al, 2017) and more homogeneous samples (Alexander et al, 2010; Quilty et al, 2013). Respondents emphasized that yoga’s potential to promote relaxation may be a selling point on promotional materials.…”

“…Nonetheless, while a few investigations suggest the acceptability and positive benefits of yoga interventions for racial/ethnic minorities (Keosaian et al, 2016; Middleton et al, 2017; Saper et al, 2009; Saper et al, 2013), the literature lacks a clear understanding of beliefs surrounding yoga and perceived barriers to yoga participation among these populations. Further, of the limited yoga research that includes racial/ethnic minorities and/or individuals with a low SES background, study samples lack representation of individuals with no yoga experience and most commonly involve exit interviews, conducted after the respondent already participated in a yoga intervention.…”

“…As a whole, the literature lacks in-depth qualitative examinations of beliefs surrounding yoga participation; investigations among vulnerable populations are even more scant (Middleton et al, 2017). Thus, our investigation may help researchers and other stakeholders design yoga programs and recruitment practices that are more appropriate and attractive to demographics underrepresented in both yoga classes and yoga research.…”

Yoga for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Clinician experiences and qualitative perspectives from students and yoga instructors living with SLE

“…Classes included deep breathing, relaxation, meditation, poses for strength, flexibility, and balance. Additional details can be found in the protocol articles [39, 43, 44]. All participants received yoga equipment, bilingual manuals, and were encouraged to develop a home practice based on concepts taught during classes.…”

“…All participants received yoga equipment, bilingual manuals, and were encouraged to develop a home practice based on concepts taught during classes. Personal journals were used to record home practice and participant observations [43]. Bilingual semi-structured open-ended exit interviews were conducted to gather perceptions about yoga classes and the study design.…”