"Harmful or Helpful? A Content Analysis of Online ‘Yoga for Low Back Pa" by Travis Pollen, Jenni Rawlings et al.
 
Download

Download Full Text (1.8 MB)

Description

INTRODUCTION

  • Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal conditions worldwide (Walker, 2000).
  • To self-manage LBP, yoga is often used.
  • One convenient and common way to access yoga practices specifically dedicated to LBP is through the internet.
  • However, the informational quality of online yoga for LBP videos has not been investigated.

PURPOSE

  • To determine the prevalence and nature of potentially problematic narratives in popular online yoga for LBP videos.

METHODS

  • A deductive content analysis was conducted on the 30 most-viewed yoga for LBP videos on a popular online video platform.
  • The themes of interest were the purported causes of LBP, intended effects of yoga on LBP, and guidance for managing LBP through yoga and movement.
  • Investigators extracted potentially problematic passages pertaining to the themes of interest from video transcripts then conducted thematic analysis to identify sub-themes.
  • Two independent investigators performed each step of the analysis, with disputes resolved by a third investigator and/or discussion.

RESULTS

  • Of the 30 videos analyzed, 24 videos (80.0%) contained a total of 79 potentially problematic passages.
  • In terms of subthemes, the most common purported causes of LBP were tightness (10 videos, 33.3%), tension (9 videos, 30.0%), posture/alignment (6 videos, 20.0%), and sitting (5 videos, 16.7%).
  • The most common intended effects of yoga were relief of LBP through stretching (13 videos, 43.3%); increasing range of motion, flexibility, or mobility (8 videos, 26.7%); and strengthening (7 videos, 23.3%).
  • The most commonly implicated anatomical structures for causing or relieving LBP were the hamstrings (6 videos, 20.0%), gluteal muscles (6 videos, 20.0%), hips (4 videos, 13.3%), and hip flexors/psoas (4 videos, 13.3%).
  • Guidance for managing LBP often featured kinesiophobic warnings, most commonly pertaining to forward folding (i.e., spinal flexion) (3 videos, 10.0%).

CONCLUSION

  • The majority of popular online yoga for LBP videos promote outdated, reductionist biomechanical explanations and solutions for LBP.
  • This bias comes at the expense of an up-to-date, evidence-based biopsychosocial depiction of LBP.

SIGNIFICANCE/NOVELTY

  • This is the first content analysis of online yoga for LBP videos.
  • The potentially problematic narratives in the videos, some of which have millions of views, could inadvertently elicit nocebo effects, possibly perpetuating viewers’ LBP.

Publication Date

11-2024

Keywords

yoga, low back pain, content analysis, YouTube, sciatica, stretching

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Rehabilitation and Therapy | Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Practices

Comments

Presented at the 2024 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference.

Harmful or Helpful? A Content Analysis of Online ‘Yoga for Low Back Pain’ Videos

Plum Print visual indicator of research metrics
PlumX Metrics
  • Usage
    • Abstract Views: 12
    • Downloads: 10
see details

Share

COinS