Yoga improves balance, mobility, and perceived occupational performance in adults with chronic brain injury: A preliminary investigation.

Author: Stephens JA1, Van Puymbroeck M2, Sample PL3, Schmid AA4
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Colorado State University, Department of Occupational Therapy, USA. Electronic address: jaclyn.stephens@colostate.edu. <sup>2</sup>Clemson University, Recreational Therapy Program, USA. <sup>3</sup>Colorado State University, Department of Occupational Therapy, USA. Electronic address: pat.sample@colostate.edu. <sup>4</sup>Colorado State University, Department of Occupational Therapy, USA. Electronic address: arlene.schmid@colostate.edu.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Date published: 2020 Apr 8
Other: Volume ID: 40 , Pages: 101172 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101172. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 185


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This was a preliminary investigation to investigate potential benefits of group yoga, as past work has indicated that one-on-one yoga can improve functional deficits in adults with brain injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants served as their own controls. Nine participants with chronic brain injury were recruited, and seven (four female) completed the study. Performance measures of balance and mobility and self-reported measures of balance confidence, pain, and occupational performance and satisfaction were used. Data were collected 3 times: baseline (study onset), pre-yoga (after an 8-week no-contact period), and post-yoga (after 8 weeks of yoga). Group yoga was led by a yoga instructor/occupational therapist, and sessions lasted 1 h and occurred twice a week.

RESULTS: No participants withdrew due to adverse effects from yoga. There were no significant changes between baseline and pre-yoga. Significant improvement was observed post-yoga in balance (p = 0.05), mobility (p = 0.03), and self-reported occupational performance (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION: We observed significant improvements in balance, mobility, and self-reported occupational performance in adults with chronic brain injury.

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS: Balance; Brain injury; Chronic; Complementary therapies; Mobility; Yoga

PMID: 32347208 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101172