A digital yoga-based ‘Pause Grow Reflect’ intervention for postgraduate researchers: a feasibility randomised controlled trial and embedded qualitative acceptability study

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of mental health and well-being problems among postgraduate researchers (PGRs) is concerning. Self-care is a protective factor; however, engagement can be low. Interventions to date are not theory-driven nor co-developed. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a co-created, theory-driven digital yoga-based self-care intervention (Pause Grow Reflect). METHODS: A 2:1 randomised feasibility trial of the 7-week Pause Grow Reflect intervention and embedded qualitative study was conducted in UK PGRs. Primary outcomes included rates of recruitment, retention, follow-up, adherence, and engagement. Secondary outcomes assessed fidelity, acceptability, adverse events, and preliminary signals of efficacy. Criteria determined progression to a definitive trial. An embedded qualitative study comprising 1:1 semi-structured interviews was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) and data analysed using deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: PGRs were allocated to the intervention (n = 24) or control (n = 13) group. Progression criteria were met for recruitment, T1 assessments, and acceptability, whilst rates of retention, engagement, and T2 follow-up assessments were not. Marginal mean differences for stress were observed. The qualitative data (n = 10 interviews) showed that all seven TFA domains were important, with issues mostly reported for the constructs of 'burden' and 'opportunity costs'. CONCLUSION: Pause Grow Reflect was largely feasible to deliver and acceptable within a UK context, and may be a promising offer to promote self-care during doctoral programmes. Further intervention refinement would promote better rates of retention, adherence, and engagement. Preliminary observations were positive, though a larger RCT is needed to determine efficacy.