Functional Improvements in Parkinson's Disease Following a Randomized Trial of Yoga.


Author: Van Puymbroeck M1, Walter A1, Hawkins BL1, Sharp JL2, Woschkolup K3, Urrea-Mendoza E4, Revilla F4, Adams EV1, Schmid AA2

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA.

<sup>2</sup>Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

<sup>3</sup>Bon Secours Neurology, Greenville, South Carolina, USA.

<sup>4</sup>Greenville Health System, Greenville, South Carolina, USA.
Conference/Journal: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med.
Date published: 2018 Jun 3
Other:
 Volume ID: 2018   ,  Pages: 8516351   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1155/2018/8516351. eCollection  2018.   ,  Word Count: 211  
    Individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) experience significant limitations in motor function, functional gait, postural stability, and balance. These limitations often lead to higher incidences of falls, which have significant complications for individuals with PD. Yoga may improve these functional deficits in individuals with PD. The objective of this study was to determine changes in motor function, functional gait, postural stability, and balance control for community dwelling individuals with PD. This randomized, wait-list controlled pilot study examined the influence of an 8-week yoga intervention for people with PD who met the following inclusion criteria: endorsing a fear of falling, being able to speak English, scoring 4/6 on the minimental state exam, and being willing to attend the intervention twice weekly for 8-weeks. Participants in the yoga group (n=15) experienced improvements in motor function, postural stability, functional gait, and freezing gait, as well as reductions in fall risk. Participants in the wait-list control (n=12) also significantly improved in postural stability, although their fall risk was not reduced. Individuals in the yoga group significantly reduced their fall risk. An 8-week yoga intervention may reduce fall risk and improve postural stability, and functional and freezing gait in individuals with PD. This clinical trial is registered as protocol record Pro00041068 in clinicaltrials.gov.



PMID: 29967649 PMCID: PMC6009016 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8516351