ABSTRACT
Context: The selection of a control group should foremost be determined by the study's primary intended outcome and trial design. When examining the effects of the physical movements that comprise yoga postures, an active control group, with physical exercise as the control, is often recommended. Objective: The current study aimed to define an active control group that participates in physical exercise, emphasizing the importance of matching the exercise's volume to that of an intervention group's yoga, and to provide a tangible example from a federally funded, recently completed, randomized controlled trial. Design: The research team designed a control group, providing a case study as a example of it. Setting: The study took place at Colorado State University. Intervention: The exercise component for the control group included 60 minutes of low-intensity exercise, matched with 60 minutes of Hatha yoga for the intervention group. Because the intervention included chronic pain self-management in addition to the exercise component, the education component for the control group included 45 minutes of group-based, general health-and-wellness education and discussion. Conclusions: Future randomized trials for yoga and other complementary or integrative health interventions should continue to use appropriate active control groups, which will serve to enhance the scientific rigor of conclusions that can be drawn with respect to the effectiveness of these interventions.
Subject(s)
Yoga , Humans , Control Groups , Exercise , Physical Therapy ModalitiesABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to assess feasibility and changes in outcome measures following the Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's Disease (MY-OT for PD) program: a 14-session program which combined community-based yoga for PD, and fall-risk focused group occupational therapy sessions. Seventeen participants completed an 8-week control period consisting of their normal participation, and an 8-week intervention period (14 MY-OT for PD sessions). There were fewer self-reported falls in the intervention (6) vs. control periods (10). One fall risk factor management scale (the Fall Prevention and Management Questionnaire, p=.02), and balance (p<.01) showed significant improvement between the control and intervention. The MY-OT for PD program is an encouraging occupational therapist-led program, which may improve balance and reduce self-reported falls.
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Occupational Therapy/methods , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Yoga , Adult , Combined Modality Therapy , Feasibility Studies , Humans , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
Parkinson's disease (PD) affects nearly 10 million people worldwide, leading to decreased mobility and balance and potential loss of independence. Yoga has been associated with improved function for people with PD, but the predictive factors for improved functional outcomes as a result of yoga participation remain unexamined. The objective of this secondary data analysis was to identify predictive factors of functional improvement for people with PD after an 8-week yoga intervention. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to identify significant predictors of improvement in balance, fall control, PD symptoms, and activity constraints. Lower cognitive functioning was predictive of improvement in perceived control over falls, body responsiveness was predictive of improvement in PD-specific symptoms, and gait velocity was predictive of improvement in balance and activity constraints. Future research is warranted to evaluate the use of screeners to predict who is the best fit for yoga therapy. Additional research is needed to evaluate the need to include cognitive self-management training concurrent with yoga therapy.
Subject(s)
Parkinson Disease , Yoga , Accidental Falls , Gait , Humans , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Postural BalanceABSTRACT
The purpose of this feasibility pilot study was to assess benefits of 8 weeks of yoga in people with chronic pain. Participants completed baseline assessments and were randomized to yoga or usual care. Yoga was offered twice a week for 8 weeks. We assessed feasibility and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was the primary outcome, assessing pain-severity and pain interference on daily activities. Eighty-three people were recruited; 67 people completed the study and were included in the analyses. Average age of participants was 50.78 ± 10.43 years and most participants had pain >10 years. The intervention appeared feasible and there were significant improvements (P < .05) in multiple measures for the yoga group, including a decrease in BPI interference scores from 7.15 ± 1.70 to 6.14 ± 2.21 (P = .007). There was a significant difference in body responsiveness and pain management scores between groups at 8 weeks. It appears that yoga was feasible and positively influenced multiple outcome measures for people with chronic pain.
Subject(s)
Chronic Pain/therapy , Yoga , Adult , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pain Management , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2018/8516351.].
ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Accidental Falls/prevention & control , Exercise , Meditation , Parkinson Disease/therapy , Yoga , Aged , Fear , Female , Gait , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Skills , Parkinson Disease/complications , Pilot Projects , Postural BalanceABSTRACT
Evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) is considered as a universal detector able to detect almost any compound. This study successfully established a HPLC-ELSD method for the simultaneous determination of phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins in muscadine grape. Twenty-four phenolics, including 5 anthocyanins, were identified by HPLC-UV-MS, ten of them were selected to calibrate the ELSD. Results from the ELSD quantification suggested that gallic acid, proanthocyanidins, and ellagic acid were the main phenolics in muscadines. In addition, antioxidant tests suggested that the extracts of muscadine grapes possessed strong antioxidant activities. All extracts had a high total phenolic content (TPC). High total anthocyanins contents (TAC) were found in Noble muscadine, and high proanthocyanidins content (TPA) in the seed portion.