Yoga for older adults with multimorbidity: teaching insights for optimising participant safety and inclusion from the process evaluation of the Gentle Years Yoga trial

Abstract

Objectives: To develop a teaching exemplar for optimising the safe and accessible delivery of chair-based yoga to multimorbid older adult populations.

Design: A qualitative process evaluation embedded within the multi-site, randomised controlled Gentle Years Yoga trial for older adults (65+ years) with two or more long-term health conditions (trial status: completed).

Setting: Online and face-to-face interviews were conducted with participants and yoga teachers involved in the 12-week chair-based yoga intervention. Interview data were supplemented with observations of in-person and online yoga class delivery.

Participants: All yoga teachers delivering the yoga intervention were invited to take part in the interviews, together with a subsample of participants receiving the yoga intervention. Participants were purposively selected to represent the trial cohort demographics of gender, age, ethnicity, index of multiple deprivation, and number and intensity of chronic health conditions.

Results: 25 yoga participants and 11 yoga teachers took part in one (N=19) or two (N=17) interviews. Participants were aged 66-91 years (mean age 74 years), with 2-8 long-term health conditions, most commonly osteoarthritis (N=15, 60%), cardiovascular disease (N=14, 56%), sensory conditions (N=9, 36%) and depression or anxiety (N=8, 32%). Yoga teachers were predominantly female (N=10, 91%), with 4-35 years yoga teaching experience across multiple yoga styles. Feedback from yoga teachers and participants was classified into six categories, generating a 21-item teaching exemplar. These covered aspects of delivery including class size and delivery formats, choosing appropriate physical content, enhancing inclusivity of personal beliefs through non-physical content, proactive teaching styles, communication tips and ways to boost visibility.

Conclusions: This 21-item list adds to the current educational base of yoga for older adults. Addressing both face-to-face and online class formats, this exemplar offers pragmatic guidance for yoga teachers to enhance the safe and accessible delivery of chair-based yoga to older adults and multimorbid populations.

Trial registration number: ISRCTN13567538.

Keywords: Aging; COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE; Exercise; Multimorbidity; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; Self-Management.