Exploring feasibility, perceptions of acceptability, and potential benefits of an 8-week yoga intervention delivered by videoconference for young adults affected by cancer: a single-arm hybrid effectiveness-implementation pilot study

Abstract

Background Young adults affected by cancer face physical and psychological challenges and desire online supportive care. Yoga can be delivered online and may improve physical and psychological outcomes. Yet, yoga has rarely been studied with young adults affected by cancer. To address this, an 8-week yoga intervention was developed, and a pilot study was deemed necessary to explore feasibility, acceptability, implementation, and potential benefits. Methods A mixed-methods, single-arm hybrid effectiveness-implementation pilot study evaluating the yoga intervention was conducted. Feasibility was assessed by tracking enrollment, retention, attendance, completeness of data, and adverse events. Acceptability was explored through interviews. Implementation metrics included training time, delivery resources, and fidelity. Potential effectiveness was evaluated by exploring changes in physical (i.e., balance, flexibility, range of motion, functional mobility) and psychological (i.e., quality of life, fatigue, resilience, posttraumatic growth, body image, mindfulness, perceived stress) outcomes at pre- (week 0), post- (week 8), and follow-up (week 16) time points. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and content analysis. Results Thirty young adults participated in this study (recruitment rate = 33%). Retention to study procedures was 70%, and attendance ranged from 38 to 100%. There were little missing data (< 5%) and no adverse events. Though most participants were satisfied with the yoga intervention, recommendations for improvement were shared. Sixty study-specific training hours and > 240 delivery and assessment hours were accrued and fidelity was high. Functional mobility, flexibility, quality of life (energy/fatigue, social well-being), body image (appearance evaluation), mindfulness (non-reactivity), and perceived stress improved significantly over time (all p< 0.050; $$\eta_{p}{}^{2}s=0.124-0.292$$ η p 2 s = 0.124 - 0.292 ). No other significant changes were observed (all p> 0.050; $$\eta_{p}{}^{2}s=0.005-0.115$$ η p 2 s = 0.005 - 0.115 ). Conclusions The yoga intervention may confer physical and psychological benefits, though intervention and study-specific modifications are required to improve feasibility and acceptability. Requiring study participation and providing greater scheduling flexibility could enhance recruitment and retention. Increasing the frequency of classes offered each week and offering more opportunities for participant interaction could improve satisfaction. This study highlights the value of doing pilot work and provides data that has directly informed intervention and study modifications. Findings could also be used by others offering yoga or supportive care by videoconference to young adults affected by cancer. Trial registration Not available—not registered

Scoping Review of Videoconference Online Exercise Programs for Cancer Survivors in Community Settings

“…All programs included cancer survivors at any stage of the cancer journey (i.e., no exclusions were made based on treatment status), and two programs reported the treatment statuses of participants, with 51.2% receiving chemotherapy during the program (22,30). Age and sex were reported by four programs (mean age, 54.2 ± 10.0 yr; 85.3% ± 20.0% female) (17,22,31,32). Sociodemographic information was reported by four programs, with participants predominantly being White (92.1% ± 5.2%) and highly educated (80.2% ± 9.1% had more than a college degree) (17,22,31,32).…”

“…In terms of effectiveness, three programs (20%) reported changes in outcomes from before to after the programs (17,22,31). In general, there were statistically significant improvements in QOL, physical functioning, and PA with effect sizes consistent with in-person-delivered exercise programs (6).…”

“…Four programs reported participant fees (22,33,34,44), which were $120 ± $50 (range, $110-$175), with the remainder (n = 12, 75.0%) reporting no cost to participants. Three programs identified funders but did not specify the amount of funds contributions (17,22,31).…”

“…Sociodemographic information was reported by four programs, with participants predominantly being White (92.1% ± 5.2%) and highly educated (80.2% ± 9.1% had more than a college degree) (17,22,31,32). Retention (from before to after the program) was reported by four programs, with an average retention rate of 83.1% ± 7.4% (8,17,22,31). Four programs reported reasons for not completing the program, including changes in treatments and injuries that were not related to the program and/or VOE sessions (17,22,31,32).…”

“…Retention (from before to after the program) was reported by four programs, with an average retention rate of 83.1% ± 7.4% (8,17,22,31). Four programs reported reasons for not completing the program, including changes in treatments and injuries that were not related to the program and/or VOE sessions (17,22,31,32).…”