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Yoga benefits chronic stroke survivors: A study
– Reported, July 30, 2012
Yoga demonstrates to improve balance but also helps for independence and falling fears.In a small pilot study, researchers analyzed the possible benefits of yoga among chronic stroke survivors whose stroke had occurred more than six months prior.
This study involved 47 participants with around three-quarters of them being male veterans, were divided into three groups; twice weekly group yoga for eight weeks, a twice weekly yoga-plus group and used a relaxation recording three times a week and a usual medical care group without rehabilitation.
Teaching the yoga classes was a registered therapist that included modified yoga postures, relaxation and meditation, with classes growing more challenging each week.
Those who had completed yoga or yoga-plus had shown significant improvement in their balance in comparison to the usual medical group.Stroke survivors who take group yoga have improvements in balance, independence, reduced falls and quality of life.
Researchers note balance problems frequently last long after a person suffers a stroke and are related to greater disability and higher risk of falls.
The study had also revealed that those survivors in the yoga groups had improved scores for independence, quality of life and less fear of falling.
Dr. Arlene Schmid, PhD, O.T.R., lead researcher and a rehabilitation research scientist at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center and Indiana University, Department of Occupational Therapy in Indianapolis, Indiana, stated in a public release “For chronic stroke patients, even if they remain disabled, natural recovery and acute rehabilitation therapy typically ends after six months, or maybe a year. Dr. Schmid is also an assistant professor for occupational therapy at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis and an investigator at the Regenstrief Institute.
Improvements after the six-month window can take longer to occur, “but we know for a fact that the brain still can change. The problem is the healthcare system is not necessarily willing to pay for that change. The study demonstrated that with some assistance, even chronic stroke patients with significant paralysis on one side can manage to do modified yoga poses, says Dr. Schmid.
Among the participants in the study, the oldest was 90s and all participants had to be able to stand on their own on the studies outset.
According to researchers may be more therapeutic than traditional exercise due to the combination of postures, breathing and meditation may produce different effects than simple exercises.
Researchers can draw only limited conclusions from the study because of its small number of participants and lack of diversity. The study also didn’t have enough participants to uncover differences between the yoga and control groups. The scientists hope to conduct a larger study soon.
Dr. Schmid did add “However, stroke patients looking for such help might have a hard time finding qualified yoga therapists to work with. “Some occupational and physical therapists are integrating yoga into their practice, even though there’s scant evidence at this point to support its effectiveness.”
Researchers also noticed improvements in the mindset of patients about their disability. The participants talked about walking through a grocery store instead of using an assistive scooter, being able to take a shower and feeling inspired to visit friends.
In closing Dr. Schmid says “It has to do with the confidence of being more mobile,” even though it took time to unfold “these were very meaningful changes in life for people.”
Last year Dr. Schmid conducted a pilot study that involved 19 men and 1 woman with an average age of 66 years. For a period of eight weeks they took part in twice weekly hour long group yoga classes taught by a yoga therapist that had modified the poses dramatically to meet the needs of the veterans.
A range of balance items measured by the Berg Balance Scale and Fullerton Advance Balance Scale improved by 17 percent and 34 percent respectively by the end of the program. That study also revealed a measurable gain in confidence in their balance.
The yoga performed in the study was modified to the extent that Schmid said it would be very difficult to find a comparable class offered publicly. Such a class should be taught by a yoga therapist who has had additional training in anatomy and physiology and how to work with people with disabilities.
The study had been funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, QUERI.
Other studies on yoga have revealed that Hatha Yoga practice by older adults who had a fear of falling demonstrated at the end of the study a reduced fear of falling, increased lower body flexibility and a reduction in their leisure constraints.
A study out of Temple University Gait Study Center had revealed that a particular type of yoga helped improved balance and stability in women over the age of 65 years.
Dr. Jinsup Song, DMP, PhD, at the School of Podiatric Medicine and the College of Health Professions and at the School of Podiatric Medicine and the College of Health Professions along with associates and co-author Marian Garfinkel, Ed.D., a certified senior Iyengar Yoga instructor conducted the study.
Their study suggested that improving balance and stability through yoga could help reduce the risk of falling, as these are two areas that are often deficient when a fall occurs.
Garfinkel consulted her mentor, renowned yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar, to craft a specific yoga program of poses tailored to the elderly who have had little to no yoga experience. The use of props in the Iyengar program allows participants to gradually master the poses while building their confidence level.
In addition to improving balance and stability, Song notes that participation in a group setting, such as an Iyengar yoga class, could have positive psychological effects for the elderly, as well.
“Throughout the program, participants consistently noted that they had a better outlook on their day-to-day lives,” he said. “The class gave them something to look forward to; they found it engaging, and said that if they couldn’t attend a class, they definitely missed it.”
Credits:http://www.examiner.com/article/stroke-survivors-improve-balance-with-group-yoga
