Barbara M Murphy1,2,3, Sarah Zaman4,5, Kim Tucker1,4, Marlies Alvarenga1,4, Jenni Morrison-Jack1,6, Rosemary Higgins1, Michael Le Grande1,2, Arthur Nasis4, Alun C Jackson1,2,7. 1. Australian Centre for Heart Health, 75-79 Chetwynd Street, North Melbourne, 3051, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2. Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 3. Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. 4. MonashHeart, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia. 5. Monash Cardiovascular Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. 6. Ihana Yoga Centre, St Kilda, VIC, Australia. 7. Centre on Behavioural Health, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
Abstract
AIMS: Despite its demonstrated benefits, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) attendance, and completion is suboptimal, particularly in women. The aims of this study were (i) to develop and pilot test a women-only yoga-based CR programme (the Women's Yoga CR Programme; WYCRP); (ii) to investigate programme acceptability; and (iii) to investigate attendance and completion of the WYCRP and continuation to Phase III community-based CR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Women eligible for CR at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia were recruited. Over a 6-month period in 2019, they were offered the WYCRP or usual CR. The WYCRP involved attendance at a 1-h yoga session following the usual 1-h mixed-sex education session, over a 7-week period. Participants completed pre- and post-programme questionnaires and attended focus groups to assess programme acceptability. Rates of attendance, completion, and continuation for the WYCRP were recorded and compared to those for the standard CR programme offered in 2018. In total, 27 women were eligible for the study and attended the initial CR assessment. Of those, 22 (81%) attended the WYCRP, 1 (4%) attended usual CR, and 4 (15%) did not attend CR. Ratings of programme acceptability were consistently positive; qualitative comments highlighted both physical and emotional benefits. While attendance at the WYCRP was not significantly higher than for usual CR the previous year (81% vs. 76%; P = 0.40), CR completion, and continuation were (95% vs. 56%; P = 0.02, and 72% vs. 12%; P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This pilot study has demonstrated that women-only yoga-based CR is appealing to women and can improve women's CR completion and continuation. These preliminary findings support further development of women-only and yoga-based CR options. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.
AIMS: Despite its demonstrated benefits, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) attendance, and completion is suboptimal, particularly in women. The aims of this study were (i) to develop and pilot test a women-only yoga-based CR programme (the Women's Yoga CR Programme; WYCRP); (ii) to investigate programme acceptability; and (iii) to investigate attendance and completion of the WYCRP and continuation to Phase III community-based CR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Women eligible for CR at a tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia were recruited. Over a 6-month period in 2019, they were offered the WYCRP or usual CR. The WYCRP involved attendance at a 1-h yoga session following the usual 1-h mixed-sex education session, over a 7-week period. Participants completed pre- and post-programme questionnaires and attended focus groups to assess programme acceptability. Rates of attendance, completion, and continuation for the WYCRP were recorded and compared to those for the standard CR programme offered in 2018. In total, 27 women were eligible for the study and attended the initial CR assessment. Of those, 22 (81%) attended the WYCRP, 1 (4%) attended usual CR, and 4 (15%) did not attend CR. Ratings of programme acceptability were consistently positive; qualitative comments highlighted both physical and emotional benefits. While attendance at the WYCRP was not significantly higher than for usual CR the previous year (81% vs. 76%; P = 0.40), CR completion, and continuation were (95% vs. 56%; P = 0.02, and 72% vs. 12%; P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This pilot study has demonstrated that women-only yoga-based CR is appealing to women and can improve women's CR completion and continuation. These preliminary findings support further development of women-only and yoga-based CR options. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.
Authors: Michelle C Rogerson; Alun C Jackson; Hema S Navaratnam; Michael R Le Grande; Rosemary O Higgins; Joanne Clarke; Barbara M Murphy Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2021-12-23