Development, validation and feasibility testing of short yogic breathing module for depression, anxiety, stress and sleep quality of school-going adolescents

Rationale of the study supported by cited literature:

Existing yoga techniques include 45-minute to hour-long sessions, which may not be feasible for regular practice. The strength of the short 20-25 mins yogic breathing module lies in its short duration and easy-to-learn practices. The short yogic breathing module can be implemented in daily practice. Thus, our current study aims to develop and validate and test the feasibility of a short (20-25 mins) yogic breathing module that may reduce depression, anxiety and stress, and sleep quality.

Hypothesis:

Null hypothesis: The short (20-25 minutes) yogic breathing module is not valid and not feasible to address the depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality of school-going adolescents

Alternative hypothesis: The short (20-25 minutes) yogic breathing module is valid and feasible to address the depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality of school-going adolescents

Research questions:

Is the short yogic breathing module valid and feasibleto address the depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep quality of school-going adolescents?

Aims and Objectives:

Aim:

To develop, validate and test the feasibility of a short yogic breathing module to address depression, anxiety and stress, and sleep quality of  school-going adolescents

 Objective:

1.To develop a short (20-25 minutes) yogic breathing module to address Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Sleep Quality of School-going Adolescents.

2. To validate the developed  yogic breathing module with the experts

3. To assess the feasibility of training school-going adolescents and their teachers in the Yogic breathing module

Detailed methodology:

1. Development of short yogic breathing module:

An extensive review of the latest literature on yoga practices suitable for school-going adolescents, for addressing  depression, anxiety and stress, and sleep quality will be done. A structured 20-25 minutes yogic breathing module tailored to the needs and capabilities of school adolescents, incorporating findings from the literature review by referring to traditional yogic texts, scriptures, discussions with experts in yoga will be developed. We will be collaborating  with experienced yoga instructors with at least 10 years of experience to refine and optimise the yogic breathing module, ensuring it meets the standards of safety, effectiveness, and appropriateness for the target audience.(2)

2. Validation of short yogic breathing module:

We will be identifying a panel of subject experts comprising yoga practitioners/experts, psychologists, educators, and healthcare professionals/clinicians with expertise in adolescent development and yoga. The items of the developed short yogic breathing will be entered on the google form. Each item will be provided with choices on Likert scale. The google form will be shared with subject experts with a request to rate each item of the module on a Likert scale. Based on the responses the Content Validity ratio will be calculated to assess the degree of agreement among the subject experts regarding the appropriateness of the yogic breathing module. Refinement of the module will be done based on the feedback received to improve its content validity .(3)

3. Feasibility Assessment:

The validated short yogic breathing module will be performed by a trained yoga instructor and video recorded. A representative sample of 20 school going adolescents will be enrolled after informed assent and consent from the parents. The short yogic breathing module will be implemented in each selected school, ensuring adherence to the prescribed guidelines and protocols. Pre assessment will be done by using the DASS Y, PSQI scales . Post assessment will done after four weeks with DASS Y , PSQI scales along with Yoga performance scale (YPA) scale, ease of practice, subjective feeling of relaxation (physical and mental) using visual analogue scale (VAS), pain or discomfort on VAS scale. It is also proposed to collect quantitative and qualitative data on the feasibility of the yoga module, including factors such as availability of resources, space, time constraints, instructor expertise, student engagement, and administrative support. Collected data will be analysed to assess the practicality, acceptability, and sustainability of integrating the yogic breathing module into the school curriculum. Further, any challenges or barriers encountered during implementation will be identified and recommendations for addressing them effectively will be proposed.(4)

4. Checking the Feasibility in 20 Students:

Pilot Implementation: Conduct a pilot implementation of the yoga module in the selected 20 students, monitoring its delivery and reception among students and school staff. Gather feedback from students, teachers, and administrators through surveys, interviews, and observations to evaluate the feasibility and scalability of the yoga module across different school settings. Compare the experiences and outcomes across the 20 students to identify common trends, variations, and best practices for implementing the yoga module effectively.