Adapted yoga for older adults with multimorbidity

Title: Individually randomised controlled multi-centre trial to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of an adapted yoga programme for older adults with multimorbidity, including an embedded process evaluation

Funder: National Institute of Health Research – Health Technology Assessment

DSER staff: Dr Garry Tew

Collaborators: Prof Tim Rapley, Northumbria University; York Trials Unit, University of York; Laura Bissell and Jenny Howsam, yoga consultants; The British Wheel of Yoga

Overview: Multimorbidity is common in older adults, and associated with high levels of illness burden and healthcare expenditure. The evidence base for how best to manage older adults with multimorbidity is weak. Yoga might be a useful intervention, because it is low cost, simple, and can address several health conditions simultaneously. Gentle Year Yoga (GYY) is a yoga programme that was developed for older adults with chronic conditions. A pilot trial of GYY demonstrated feasibility and encouraging preliminary data. The current larger-scale multi-centre trial will determine clinical and cost effectiveness of the GYY programme.

Pilot study press release