BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, marked by irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries. If not adequately managed, PCOS can lead to complications such as infertility, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. Tailored yoga and naturopathy interventions may offer effective management for this condition.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to professionally validate the perceived utility of a systematic yoga and naturopathy protocol in managing PCOS.
METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted by the Department of Physiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal. The study involved 35 yoga and naturopathy experts. An extensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to develop the yoga and naturopathy protocol. The protocol included yoga asanas (postures), Sithilikaran vyayama (loosening exercises), pranayama (breathing exercises), Kunjal kriya (voluntarily induced vomiting), and kati-snan therapy (hip-bath therapy).
RESULTS: The protocol was validated for content validity by participants using a 4-point Likert scale; a minimum content validity ratio of 0.31 was considered. The average content validity ratio of our entire protocol was 0.8, indicating its validity.
CONCLUSION: This protocol can be incorporated into research studies with a larger sample size (comprising diverse age groups, socio-economic and geographical backgrounds, with varying metabolic and hormonal profiles) to assess its efficacy and utility.
KEYWORDS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Yoga, Naturopathy, Holistic Health, Naturopathic hydrotherapy, validation of Yoga and naturopathy protocol, content validity score.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to professionally validate the perceived utility of a systematic yoga and naturopathy protocol in managing PCOS.
METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted by the Department of Physiology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal. The study involved 35 yoga and naturopathy experts. An extensive literature search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to develop the yoga and naturopathy protocol. The protocol included yoga asanas (postures), Sithilikaran vyayama (loosening exercises), pranayama (breathing exercises), Kunjal kriya (voluntarily induced vomiting), and kati-snan therapy (hip-bath therapy).
RESULTS: The protocol was validated for content validity by participants using a 4-point Likert scale; a minimum content validity ratio of 0.31 was considered. The average content validity ratio of our entire protocol was 0.8, indicating its validity.
CONCLUSION: This protocol can be incorporated into research studies with a larger sample size (comprising diverse age groups, socio-economic and geographical backgrounds, with varying metabolic and hormonal profiles) to assess its efficacy and utility.
KEYWORDS: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Yoga, Naturopathy, Holistic Health, Naturopathic hydrotherapy, validation of Yoga and naturopathy protocol, content validity score.
Mishra Shweta, Shrivastava Ragini, Shrivastava Pranjal, Patel Shweta, Pathak Tanusha, Malhotra Varun
Feb 2026
Alternative therapies in health and medicine