Design and Validation of a Structured Questionnaire Examining the Characteristics, Practice Patterns, and...

The integration of yoga into modern healthcare systems has highlighted the need to understand the professional landscape of yoga providers in India. Despite extensive research on the benefits of yoga, there remains a significant gap in understanding the characteristics, practice patterns, and professional satisfaction of these providers. The present study aimed to develop a validated questionnaire to address this gap. A structured instrument was developed through an extensive literature review and collation of suggestions from yoga experts. The questionnaire comprised 63 questions across four domains: (1) demographic details, (2) educational background, (3) session specifics, and (4) self-reported professional satisfaction and quality of life. Content validation was conducted with 10 yoga experts using Lawshe's content validity ratio (CVR). Questions with a CVR of ≥ 0.62 were retained. Of the 63 questions, 42 met the acceptance criteria and were included in the final questionnaire. High CVR scores indicated strong relevance and suitability of questions, particularly in sections on session specifics and self-reported assessments, reflecting practical and experiential aspects of yoga practice. The validation process ensured the questionnaire's comprehensiveness and relevance. The validated questionnaire provides a robust tool for assessing the professional landscape of yoga providers in India, facilitating a deeper understanding of their demographics, educational backgrounds, practice details, and professional satisfaction. This tool can guide future research and policy-making aimed at enhancing the quality and effectiveness of yoga practice and instruction in the country.