Abstract

Background

Multimorbidity is common in older adults and associated with high levels of illness burden and healthcare expenditure. The evidence base for how to manage older adults with multimorbidity is weak. Yoga might be a useful intervention because it has the potential to improve health-related quality of life, physical functioning, and several medical conditions. The British Wheel of Yoga’s Gentle Years Yoga© (GYY) programme was developed specifically for older adults, including those with chronic medical conditions. Data from a pilot trial suggested feasibility of using GYY in this population, but its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness remain uncertain.

Methods

This is a multi-site, individually randomised, superiority trial with an embedded process evaluation and an economic analysis of cost-effectiveness. The trial will compare an experimental strategy of offering a 12-week GYY programme against a control strategy of no offer in community-dwelling adults aged 65 or over who have multimorbidity, defined as having two or more chronic conditions from a predefined list. The primary outcome is health-related quality of life measured using the EQ-5D-5L, the primary endpoint being the overall difference over 12 months. Both groups will continue to be able to access their usual care from primary, secondary, community, and social services. Participants, care providers, and yoga teachers will not be blinded to the allocated intervention. Outcome measures are primarily self-reported. The analysis will follow intention-to-treat principles.

Discussion

This pragmatic randomised controlled trial will demonstrate if the GYY programme is an effective, cost-effective, and viable addition to the management of older adults with multimorbidity.

Trial registration

ISRCTN ISRCTN13567538. Registered on 18 March 2019

Details

Title
Yoga for older adults with multimorbidity (the Gentle Years Yoga Trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Author
Tew, Garry A. 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Bissell, Laura 2 ; Corbacho, Belen 3 ; Fairhurst, Caroline 3 ; Howsam, Jenny 2 ; Hugill-Jones, Jess 3 ; Maturana, Camila 3 ; Paul, Shirley-Anne S. 3 ; Rapley, Tim 4 ; Roche, Jenny 3 ; Rose, Fi 3 ; Torgerson, David J. 3 ; Ward, Lesley 1 ; Wiley, Laura 3 ; Yates, David 5 ; Hewitt, Catherine 3 

1  Northumbria University, Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK (GRID:grid.42629.3b) (ISNI:0000000121965555); University of York, York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, York, UK (GRID:grid.5685.e) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9668) 
2  British Wheel of Yoga Qualifications (BWYQ), Lincs, UK (GRID:grid.5685.e) 
3  University of York, York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, York, UK (GRID:grid.5685.e) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 9668) 
4  Northumbria University, Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK (GRID:grid.42629.3b) (ISNI:0000000121965555) 
5  York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Anaesthesia, York, UK (GRID:grid.439905.2) (ISNI:0000 0000 9626 5193) 
Pages
269
Publication year
2021
Publication date
Dec 2021
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
e-ISSN
17456215
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05217-5
ProQuest document ID
2730341313
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.