JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The popularity of yoga, along with the understanding of its potential health benefits has recently increased. Unfortunately, not everyone can easily engage in in-person yoga classes due to barriers such as challenges with transportation, scheduling, mobility, and cost. Remote delivery of yoga may facilitate access but the state of the literature regarding the remote delivery of yoga is unclear.

Objective:

The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the existing yoga literature to determine the different methods of technological remote yoga delivery being used, who they are being used for, their feasibility, and their effectiveness.

Methods:

Scientific databases were searched through August 2020 for experimental studies involving yoga interventions delivered remotely via technological means. Articles remaining after an abstract/title screen were fully reviewed and appraised for quality. Data was then extracted and synthesized.

Results:

Ten studies of weak to moderate methodological rigor were included. Nine studies were delivered asynchronously, and one was delivered synchronously. Study participants varied in health conditions across the spectrum of physical and mental health. The yoga interventions delivered were heterogeneous in style and dosage prescribed. Study outcomes included adherence, safety, feasibility, patient reported measures, physical performance/function measures, and physiological measures. Studies that reported statistical significance showed improvements in one or more outcome measures.

Conclusions:

This review revealed gaps in the literature such that future studies should focus on the method of remote delivery used and how it is impacted by the populations studied and the yoga intervention components implemented. Studies of high methodological rigor and robust report are needed.