Effect of telerehabilitation on long-term adherence to yoga as an antihypertensive lifestyle intervention: Results of a randomized controlled trial

Background: and purpose: We aimed to investigate the adherence to yoga as an antihypertensive intervention through telerehabilitation. Materials and methods: In a randomized controlled trial patients were consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned to intervention or control group. Both groups received standardized yoga training during three weeks of inpatient rehabilitation. The intervention group received telerehabilitation after discharge; the control group received the usual care. Data was collected at admission (t1), discharge (t2) and at follow up after six (t3) and 12 months (t4). The primary endpoint was follow-up adherence assessed in an intention-to-treat analysis. Results: 228 male rehabilitation patients (mean age 53.3 +/- 5.8 years, mean blood pressure 139.5 +/- 10.2/86.7 +/- 8.0 mmHg) The intervention resulted in significantly increased adherence compared to control group (t3: 40.0% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.001; t4: 36.5% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.038); blood pressure and quality of life improved. Conclusion: Telerehabilitation significantly improves yoga adherence maintaining achieved health benefits in the long term.