Table 3 Panelists’ responses on items addressing the use of Yoga in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
From: Yoga as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of people with anorexia nervosa: a Delphi study
Item | M | SD | Mode | % of panelists showing agreement | Consensus achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yoga as an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of AN | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Yoga should only be recommended when the patient with AN is medically stable | 4.59 | 0.80 | 5 | 94.12% | Yes |
Yoga isn’t ‘girly’ and can also be undertaken by AN patients who are men or boys | 4.65 | 0.70 | 5 | 88.24% | Yes |
Positive responses regarding the use of yoga are not valid across the board for all AN patients, notably those in a very compromised physical condition | 4.53 | 1.00 | 5 | 88.24% | Yes |
AN patients will gravitate towards strenuous forms of yoga (e.g. hot yoga, power yoga) which are detrimental | 3.76 | 0.75 | 4 | 88.24% | Yes |
Yoga is beneficial for some AN patients where in others it can be harmful, particularly those who are medically compromised | 4.41 | 0.71 | 5 | 88.24% | Yes |
There is a risk that yoga is harmful because it could be used by AN patients to increase calorie expenditure | 3.88 | 0.70 | 4 | 82.35% | Near |
AN patients risk becoming perfectionistic and obsessional in their yoga practice | 3.71 | 0.77 | 4 | 82.35% | Near |
Not enough is known about yoga to comment on its use in patients with AN | 4.06 | 0.83 | 4 | 82.35% | Near |
Yoga can facilitate body awareness and acceptance in AN patients | 3.88 | 0.60 | 4 | 76.47% | Near |
Positive responses regarding Yoga are not valid across the board for all AN patients, notably those who oppose the idea of yoga | 4.29 | 0.99 | 5 | 76.47% | Near |
Questions about the use of Yoga in AN patients are problematic as they ask for an opinion when data is needed to support it | 3.94 | 0.97 | 4 | 76.47% | Near |
Clients need support with re-experiencing traumatic memories whilst doing yoga | 4.06 | 0.75 | 4 | 76.47% | Near |
Therapeutic benefits of Yoga in the treatment of AN | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
Research is limited on the impact of yoga on AN | 4.82 | 0.39 | 5 | 100% | Yes |
It’s worth exploring in further research the therapeutic benefits of yoga in AN patients | 4.59 | 0.62 | 5 | 94.12% | Yes |
Offers a gentle reintroduction to physical activity for patients with AN | 4.17 | 0.64 | 4 | 88.24% | Yes |
There should be outcome measures that help the clinician know whether yoga is beneficial for an individual (e.g. body checking doesn’t increase, injury doesn’t occur, weight doesn’t go down) | 4.47 | 0.72 | 5 | 88.24% | Yes |
Research on the impact of yoga on AN would be beneficial | 4.65 | 0.70 | 5 | 88.23% | Yes |
Increased mindfulness in patients with AN | 3.88 | 0.49 | 4 | 82.35% | Near |
Focus on breath which is beneficial in AN patients | 3.82 | 0.53 | 4 | 76.47% | Near |
Increased experiential awareness of the body in patients with AN | 3.88 | 0.60 | 4 | 76.47% | Near |
Provides a break from the usual treatment routine for patients with AN | 4.18 | 0.81 | 5 | 76.47% | Near |