Lessons from evaluating a yoga-based behavioral intervention for smoking cessation

This study discusses lessons from evaluating a yoga-based behavioral intervention for smoking cessation based on social cognitive theory. Yoga intervention was compared with an existing self-help program in an experimental design over six months. A valid and reliable 23-item instrument was used in the study. Measured were: (1) self-efficacy for quitting (2) self-control for quitting, (3) self-reported daily consumption of cigarettes, (4) self-efficacy for yoga, and (5) past week performance of yoga behaviors. After informed consent 21 participants were randomly assigned to the two groups. The yoga intervention consisted of learning and practicing a set of low physical impact postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), relaxation (shava asana), and meditation (dhyana). Based on social cognitive theory, expectations (or anticipatory outcomes of yoga practices), expectancies (or values that people place on anticipated outcomes), self-efficacy (or confidence in one's ability to perform yoga-related behaviors) and self control (or setting goals about yoga behaviors) were modified in the yoga intervention. The control group was provided with self-help guide, “You can quit smoking.” Seven (33.3%) participants completed the study protocol and one participant who was in the yoga group was successful in quitting smoking. Statistically significant improvements occurred in the social cognitive-theory based yoga group over the self-help group for self-control for quitting (p < 0.001) and performance of yoga behaviors (p< 0.05). This study suggested that the yoga intervention was more efficacious in influencing the antecedents of smoking cessation than a self-help approach. Lessons from this evaluation for designing future interventions are discussed.