Development of a Yoga Module for Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology: Different evaluation methods

Abstract

Abstract

There are currently no targeted interventions for chronic kidney disease at Uddanam (CKDu), a condition whose cause is unknown but which mainly impacts male farmers in the Uddanam region of Andhra Pradesh, India, and which leads to a decline in kidney function even when traditional risk factors are not present. While yoga is effective in treating kidney disease symptoms, no CKDu-specific modules exist. This study aims to design and validate such a module along with an effective methodology. Using systematic development and validation processes, we present a well-received yoga module tailored to the specific needs of CKDu patients.

Methods 

A review of earlier studies and classical texts led to the development of a yoga module for CKDu patients. Forty experts ranked fifty practices in order of significance after evaluating them. The content validity ratio (CVR) was computed using Lawshe's formula and twelve experts ranked Content Validity Index (CVI) for effective evaluation of Yoga module. All experts agree that the final module is relatively easy to teach, learn, and practice.

Results

The final yoga module had 30 practices and a content validity ratio (CVR) of ⩾ 0.29. Only 30 of the initial 50 practices showed significant content validity. On the other hand, on the same lines with lesser number of experts say 5 to 7, we calculated the CVI and found >0.90 which is excellent compared to CVR. Hence we came to the conclusion that CVI method may be used for the yoga module development.

Conclusion:

Although the yoga module for CKDu patients demonstrated strong content validity by combining traditional wisdom with scientific evidence, more research is needed to fully assess its feasibility and effectiveness.