Development, Validation, and Feasibility of Yoga Intervention Module for Optimizing Safe Use of Screen Time: A Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Behavioral Science
• Mind-Body Interventions

Background:

• Excessive screen time in adolescents is linked to negative health outcomes.
• Yoga practice can enhance self-regulation, potentially mitigating screen time issues.
• A novel yoga module was developed to address adolescent screen time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and efficacy of a yoga intervention for healthy screen time regulation in adolescents.
• To reduce symptoms associated with excessive screen time, including depression, anxiety, and eye strain.
• To evaluate the impact of yoga on physical and psychological well-being.

Main Methods:

• A yoga module was designed using the Integrative Approach to Yoga Therapy and validated by 26 yoga professors.
• A pilot study involved 26 female adolescents (ages 16-17) in Bengaluru, India.
• The intervention group received a four-week integrated yoga program; the control group received digital hygiene education. Outcome measures included screen time, anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), well-being (WHO-5, KIDSCREEN-10), and smartphone addiction (SAS-SV).

Main Results:

• The final yoga module comprised 21 validated practices (Content Validity Index = 0.72).
• Participants in the yoga intervention group showed a significant reduction in screen time after 12 sessions.
• The yoga group experienced significant decreases in anxiety and depression symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Yoga intervention is feasible and potentially effective in reducing excessive screen time among adolescents.
• Yoga practice may improve self-regulation, reduce anxiety and depression, and enhance overall well-being.
• This yoga module offers a promising approach to promoting healthy digital habits in adolescents.