A digital yoga-based ‘Pause Grow Reflect’ intervention for postgraduate researchers: a feasibility randomised controlled trial and embedded qualitative acceptability study

The prevalence of mental health and well-being problems among postgraduate researchers (PGRs) is concerning. Self-care is a protective factor; however, engagement can be low. Interventions to date are not theory-driven nor co-developed. This study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a co-created, theory-driven digital yoga-based self-care intervention (Pause Grow Reflect).

A 2:1 randomised feasibility trial of the 7-week Pause Grow Reflect intervention and embedded qualitative study was conducted in UK PGRs. Primary outcomes included rates of recruitment, retention, follow-up, adherence, and engagement. Secondary outcomes assessed fidelity, acceptability, adverse events, and preliminary signals of efficacy. Criteria determined progression to a definitive trial. An embedded qualitative study comprising 1:1 semi-structured interviews was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) and data analysed using deductive thematic analysis.

PGRs were allocated to the intervention (n = 24) or control (n = 13) group. Progression criteria were met for recruitment, T1 assessments, and acceptability, whilst rates of retention, engagement, and T2 follow-up assessments were not. Marginal mean differences for stress were observed. The qualitative data (n = 10 interviews) showed that all seven TFA domains were important, with issues mostly reported for the constructs of ‘burden’ and ‘opportunity costs’.

Pause Grow Reflect was largely feasible to deliver and acceptable within a UK context, and may be a promising offer to promote self-care during doctoral programmes. Further intervention refinement would promote better rates of retention, adherence, and engagement. Preliminary observations were positive, though a larger RCT is needed to determine efficacy.