Gerson de Oliveira1, Maria da Consolação Cunha Gomes Fernandes Tavares2, Jane Domingues de Faria Oliveira2, Marcos Rojo Rodrigues3, Danilo Forghieri Santaella3. 1. Adaptive Physical Activity Study Departments, College of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, Av. Érico Veríssimo, 701, Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz," Barão Geraldo, Campinas, SP 13083-851, Brazil. Electronic address: gersonyoga@gmail.com. 2. Adaptive Physical Activity Study Departments, College of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, Av. Érico Veríssimo, 701, Cidade Universitária "Zeferino Vaz," Barão Geraldo, Campinas, SP 13083-851, Brazil. 3. Sports Center, University of São Paulo (CEPE-USP), Praça 2, Prof. Rubião Meira, 61, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP 05508-110, Brazil.
Abstract
CONTEXT: There is a little evidence about the influence of yoga as a complementary therapy for postural balance and its influence on activities of daily living in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a six-month yoga program on postural balance and subjective impact of postural balance impairment on activities of daily living in people with MS. DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: Protocol developed at the Adaptive Physical Activity Study Department, College of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, Brazil. SUBJECTS:A total of 12 (11 women) yoga naive people with MS randomly divided into two groups as follows: Control (C-waiting list, n = 6) and Yoga (Y-Yoga training, n = 6). INTERVENTIONS:Yoga group practiced postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation on weekly 60-min classes for a six-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following evaluations were performed at study entry (baseline), and after six months (six months): Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and self-reported postural balance quality and influence of postural balance on activities of daily living. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in BBS score from baseline to six months only in the Yoga group, especially in subjects with higher EDSS score, with increased quality of self-reported postural balance, and decreased influence of postural balance impairment on activities of daily living. In conclusion, a six-month yoga training is beneficial for people with MS, since it improves postural balance and decreases the influence of postural balance impairment on activities of daily living. A greater sample size is necessary to increase generalization, but it seems that yoga could be included as a feasible complementary therapy for people with MS.
RCT Entities:
CONTEXT: There is a little evidence about the influence of yoga as a complementary therapy for postural balance and its influence on activities of daily living in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of a six-month yoga program on postural balance and subjective impact of postural balance impairment on activities of daily living in people with MS. DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot study. SETTING: Protocol developed at the Adaptive Physical Activity Study Department, College of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, Brazil. SUBJECTS: A total of 12 (11 women) yoga naive people with MS randomly divided into two groups as follows: Control (C-waiting list, n = 6) and Yoga (Y-Yoga training, n = 6). INTERVENTIONS: Yoga group practiced postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation on weekly 60-min classes for a six-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following evaluations were performed at study entry (baseline), and after six months (six months): Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and self-reported postural balance quality and influence of postural balance on activities of daily living. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in BBS score from baseline to six months only in the Yoga group, especially in subjects with higher EDSS score, with increased quality of self-reported postural balance, and decreased influence of postural balance impairment on activities of daily living. In conclusion, a six-month yoga training is beneficial for people with MS, since it improves postural balance and decreases the influence of postural balance impairment on activities of daily living. A greater sample size is necessary to increase generalization, but it seems that yoga could be included as a feasible complementary therapy for people with MS.