Yoga for hypertensive patients: a study on barriers and facilitators of its implementation in primary care

Abstract

Background International guidelines for hypertension treatment recommend the use of yoga, particularly among low-risk patients. However, evidence is lacking on the implementation potential of health-worker-led yoga interventions in low-resource, primary care settings. Objective To assess barriers to and facilitators of the implementation of a yoga intervention for hypertensive patients in primary care in Nepal. Methods The study was conducted using focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and telephone interviews. Data were collected from the ‘Yoga and Hypertension’ (YoH) trial participants, YoH intervention implementers, and officials from the Ministry of Health and Population in Nepal. Results Most YoH trial participants stated that: (1) it was easy to learn yoga during a five-day training period and practise it for three months at home; (2) practising yoga improved their health; and (3) group yoga sessions in a community centre would help them practise yoga more regularly. Most YoH intervention implementers stated that: (1) they were highly motivated to implement the intervention; (2) the cost of implementation was acceptable; (3) they did not need additional staff to effectively implement the intervention; (4) providing remuneration to the staff involved in the intervention would increase their motivation; and (5) the yoga programme was ‘simple and easy to follow’ and ‘easily performed by participants of any age’. The government officials stated that: (1) yoga is considered as a key health promotional activity in Nepal; and (2) the integration of the yoga intervention into the existing health care programme would not be too challenging, because the existing personnel and other resources can be utilised. Conclusion While there is a good potential that a yoga intervention can be implemented in primary care, capacity development for health workers and the involvement of community yoga centres in the delivery of the interventions may be required to facilitate this implementation.

Delivering yoga to people with hypertension in the UK: A qualitative study to explore yoga providers' knowledge, experiences, and attitudes

“…Yoga is widely practiced in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal and it has been integrated into the health care system 20–23 . For example, in India, there are initiatives to regulate higher education and practice.…”

“…13,18,19 Yoga is widely practiced in South Asian countries such as India and Nepal and it has been integrated into the health care system. [20][21][22][23] For example, in India, there are initiatives to regulate higher education and practice. There are various levels of yogarelated education in India, including a bachelor's degree, which is a recognized medical course 24 and postgraduate taught and research degrees.…”

Characteristics of Yoga Providers and Their Sessions and Attendees in the UK: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Yoga has a high acceptance rate in South Asian countries, such as India and Nepal, and it is widely practiced in these countries [ 14 , 15 ]. The Ministry of Ayush in India is dedicated exclusively towards traditional therapies, including yoga, and yoga is part of the Indian health care system [ 16 ].…”