Gastroenterologist and Patient Attitudes Toward Yoga as a Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Abstract

Objectives To identify irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control and intention to practice yoga and gastroenterologists’ attitudes and current yoga recommendations for their patients with IBS. Methods Gastroenterologists and IBS patients completed online surveys including Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) constructs. Among IBS patients, multiple linear regression determined the multivariate associations between TPB variables and intention to practice yoga while controlling for significant socio-demographic variables. Gastroenterologists were asked about their attitudes and current yoga recommendations for patients with IBS. Chi-square analyses examined associations between gastroenterologists’ demographics and recommending yoga. Binomial logistic regression described associations between attitude variables and current yoga recommendations. Results For patients (n = 109), controllability (β = 0.5, P < 0.001), affective attitude (β = 0.4, P < 0.05) and self-efficacy (β = 0.3, P < 0.05) were significantly associated with intention to do yoga in the regression model. TPB variables explained 34% of the variance in patients’ intentions to practice yoga. The binomial regression analysis revealed that gastroenterologists (n = 79) who have confidence in recommending yoga (39%) were seven times more likely to recommend it (odds ratio = 7.3, P = 0.002) and those who agreed yoga improves IBS symptom severity (54%) were 10 times more likely to recommend yoga (odds ratio = 10.1, P < 0.001). Most (86%) wanted more evidence to support efficacy of yoga for IBS and 44% asked for more knowledge on how to refer a patient. Conclusion Controllability, affective attitude and self-efficacy predicted IBS patients’ intentions to practice yoga. Although gastroenterologists believed yoga is safe and beneficial for IBS patients, most do not recommend yoga due to lack of confidence and scientific evidence.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Treating the Gut and Brain/Mind at the Same Time

“…A study used a theoretical framework to investigate how gastroenterologists and patients perceived yoga as a treatment for IBS; Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables were used to explain IBS patients' attitudes toward yoga. Despite having positive attitudes and notions about yoga, gastroenterologists' prescription patterns did not reflect these attitudes and beliefs, showing a gap between their thoughts and actions [ 85 ].…”