Development, Content Validation, and Preliminary Feasibility of an Integrated Yoga Module for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Three-phase Study

Abstract Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health issue causing high morbidity and mortality, with India contributing significantly to the global burden. Nondrug therapies such as yoga, pulmonary rehabilitation, and lifestyle modification have shown benefits. Yoga, an ancient holistic practice combining postures, breathing, meditation, and lifestyle modification, has demonstrated potential to improve lung function, mental well-being, and quality of life in patients with COPD. Yoga offers an accessible, cost-effective solution. The present study aimed to design, validate, and evaluate a standardized Integrated Yoga Module (IYM) specific to mild to moderate COPD. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1: A tailored IYM was developed by combining classical and modern practices. Phase 2: The selected practices were validated by experts using Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio. Phase 3: A four-week pilot study was conducted with 15 patients with COPD at a tertiary care hospital. Participants were evaluated using pulmonary function tests (spirometry) and health-related quality of life using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire for COPD (SGRQ-C). Results: A total of 62 practices were identified, of which 64.5% were accepted by yoga therapy experts to develop a 60-minute IYM for COPD. The pilot study demonstrated the preliminary feasibility of the validated IYM, with improvements observed in forced vital capacity (FVC) and SGRQ-C scores. Conclusions: This study developed and expert-validated a standardized IYM for individuals with mild to moderate COPD and demonstrated its preliminary feasibility in a pilot study. Further evaluation in larger randomized controlled trials is warranted to determine its effectiveness and clinical applicability.