Evaluating Yoga Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Date
2022-06-21
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Abstract
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease of the brain-gut axis. Mind-body therapies such as yoga target the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, immune and endocrine systems involved in the brain-gut axis to improve IBS symptoms and other patient outcomes such as mental health and quality of life. Virtually delivered yoga programming has not been tested nor have the experiences of participants in these programs been explored. Further, we are unaware of the beliefs and attitudes of IBS patients and gastroenterologists towards yoga. Objectives: This thesis had four objectives and they were to: 1) identify patients’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control for yoga, and underlying beliefs and intentions to practice yoga; 2) identify gastroenterologists’ attitudes, perceived supports, barriers and facilitators and intention to recommend a yoga program as part of routine medical care for patients with IBS; 3) explore the feasibility and efficacy of an eight-week virtual yoga program on IBS symptom severity and other patient-reported outcomes compared to an advice-only control group; and 4) explore and describe participants’ experiences in a virtual yoga program, and its impact. Methods: Using mixed-methods, cross-sectional surveys were used to answer aims 1 and 2. A randomized clinical trial answered objective 3 and semi-structured interviews answered objective 4.
Results: Patients (N=109) reported controllability, self-efficacy, and affective attitude predicted their intention to practice yoga. Gastroenterologists (N=79) reported they were ten times more likely to recommend yoga if they agreed yoga improves IBS symptoms, however, most were not recommending yoga due to lack of confidence and scientific evidence. The randomized controlled trial (N=79) found virtually delivered yoga was safe, feasible, and efficacious in improving IBS symptoms, quality of life, stress, and fatigue. The interviews revealed the participants had overwhelmingly positive experiences in the program.
Conclusions: Virtually delivered yoga programming is acceptable, safe, feasible, and efficacious in the treatment of IBS. Future research is needed to explore how virtually delivered yoga may be positioned as a therapy in the management of IBS.
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Keywords
Irritable bowel syndrome, Yoga, Meditation, Telehealth, Virtual healthcare, Gastroenterologist
Citation
D’Silva, A. (2022). Evaluating Yoga Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.