Tele-Adaptation and Feasibility of a Brief Yoga Therapy Module for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study

Background Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is highly prevalent, but access barriers limit treatment uptake. We systematically tele-adapted a validated 90-minute yoga therapy module into a brief 30-minute format and evaluated its acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary clinical effects. Methods Using expert content validation (n = 10), we developed a 30-minute tele-yoga module comprising Sukshma Vyayama, Vibhagiya Pranayama (6:4:8:4 ratio), Chandra Anuloma Viloma (4:8 ratio), Nadishodhana Pranayama, Bhramari Pranayama, and Yoga Nidra. Twenty adults (18 to 55 years) diagnosed with GAD (GAD-7 score of 5 or higher), with or without comorbid neurotic disorder, on stable pharmacotherapy or drug-naive, received one in-person orientation followed by thrice-weekly live tele-yoga sessions and weekly yoga philosophy discussions over 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included feasibility metrics: Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM), Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ), attendance, dropout rate, and Yoga Performance Assessment (YPA). Secondary outcomes were GAD-7 and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. The Friedman test was used for repeated-measures analysis on completers (n = 17). Results Seventeen of 20 participants (85%) completed the intervention with over 80% attendance. Three withdrew for non-intervention reasons. All feasibility criteria were met: AIM 4.52 +/− 0.21, FIM 4.45 +/− 0.18, CSQ 30.05 +/− 1.14, YPA 30.11 +/− 1.36. GAD-7 scores decreased significantly from a median of 13.0 (IQR 11.0 to 15.0) at baseline to 7.0 (IQR 6.0 to 8.0) at 8 weeks (chi-square = 33.52, p < 0.001). PSQI improved from 12.0 (IQR 11.0 to 15.0) to 7.0 (IQR 4.0 to 7.0) (chi-square = 31.39, p < 0.001). No adverse events occurred. Conclusions This brief tele-adapted yoga module is feasible, acceptable, and shows promising preliminary effects on anxiety and sleep quality in GAD. Randomized controlled trials are warranted.