Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although yoga has traditionally been delivered in-person, yoga has recently shifted towards virtual delivery through live-streamed and pre-recorded classes. Asynchronous online yoga helps to resolve many drawbacks of in-person and synchronous online classes, but little research has explored this modality. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of two different types of yoga-movement-based and meditation-based-and preliminary evidence of efficacy on outcomes when delivered asynchronously online. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Moderately-to-highly stressed participants (n = 40) completed a randomized clinical trial comparing movement-based yoga and meditation-based yoga delivered asynchronously online. Acceptability, feasibility, and pre- and post-intervention outcome measures for perceived stress and related outcomes were examined. Feedback on the interventions was also collected. RESULTS: Recruitment took less than four weeks to complete. Thirty-four participants (85.0 %) attended the follow-up visit. Twenty-four participants (60.0 %) engaged with at least six out of eight classes. Acceptability of the yoga interventions was rated an average of 36.71 (standard deviation [SD] = 3.35) out of 42. Participants demonstrated significant decreases in perceived stress and sleep disturbance as well as significant increases in mindfulness and mood. There were no group effects for any outcomes. Participants provided generally positive feedback as well as suggestions for improvement. CONCLUSION: Both yoga interventions delivered asynchronously online were acceptable and feasible. Additionally, both yoga interventions led to improvements in perceived stress, sleep disturbance, mindfulness, and mood. Given the recent shifts towards online delivery of yoga, research should continue exploring this asynchronous online modality.