Remote Delivery of Yoga Interventions Through Technology: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The popularity of yoga and the understanding of its potential health benefits have recently increased. Unfortunately, not everyone can easily engage in in-person yoga classes. Over the past decade, the use of remotely delivered yoga has increased in real-world applications. However, the state of the related scientific literature is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to identify gaps in the literature related to the remote delivery of yoga interventions, including gaps related to the populations studied, the yoga intervention characteristics (delivery methods and intervention components implemented), the safety and feasibility of the interventions, and the preliminary efficacy of the interventions. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Scientific databases were searched throughout April 2021 for experimental studies involving yoga delivered through technology. Eligibility was assessed through abstract and title screening and a subsequent full-article review. The included articles were appraised for quality, and data were extracted from each article. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies of weak to moderate quality were included. Populations varied in physical and mental health status. Of the 12 studies, 10 (83%) implemented asynchronous delivery methods (via prerecorded material), 1 (8%) implemented synchronous delivery methods (through videoconferencing), and 1 (8%) did not clearly describe the delivery method. Yoga interventions were heterogeneous in style and prescribed dose but primarily included yoga intervention components of postures, breathing, and relaxation and meditation. Owing to the heterogeneous nature of the included studies, conclusive findings regarding the preliminary efficacy of the interventions could not be ascertained. CONCLUSIONS: Several gaps in the literature were identified. Overall, this review showed that more attention needs to be paid to yoga intervention delivery methods while designing studies and developing interventions. Decisions regarding delivery methods should be justified and not made arbitrarily. Studies of high methodological rigor and robust reporting are needed.

Old before their time: Comparisons of people with SMI and healthy older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Compare physical functional measures of people with severe mental illness (SMI) to standardized geriatric values. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of physical functioning sample data of middle-aged people with SMI was compared to standardized older adult data. Compared: Sit to Stand Test (STS; n = 68), 6 min Walk Test (6MWT; n = 71), and Single Legged Stance Test (SLS; n = 55). One sample t tests were computed, using standardized values for older adult healthy populations, to identify differences for the group. RESULTS: STS (M = 11.3 SD = 5.36), for the sample were comparable to 80-89 year old. The 6MWT values were significantly worse than 80-89-year-old range for women, t(28) = -2.88, p < .01, and men, t(40) = -5.32, p =. 00. SLS values for women and men were comparable to the 70-79-year-old range in the general population. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: People with SMI have functional fitness levels that are older than chronological age, and should be assessed regularly for physical functioning to support independent living. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring physical therapy students' experience of peer learning in a student-run clinic.

BACKGROUND: Participation in a student-run pro bono clinic (SRPBC) provides opportunities for students to develop professional skills, engage with the community, and provide an often-underserved population with needed care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper describes the results of a mixed-method analysis of student experiences in an SRPBC. A survey with both Likert-type and write-in elements was administered to three cohorts of students enrolled in a doctoral program of physical therapy. Students were prompted to provide their perspective on the value of the clinic experience with respect to professional development, academic relevancy, and personal growth. RESULTS: The analysis discovered that perspective value of the clinic in the areas of personal growth and academic relevancy differed by cohort. Specifically, 1st-year students reported that they benefitted immensely by learning from their peers, especially in the use of outcome measures. Second-year students did not report the same benefits. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that even though students from different cohorts work together in the same clinic, they may experience the clinic very differently. This observation provided the basis for changes to the SRPBC to enhance leadership and conflict management skills of the 2nd-year students.

The Potential Role of the Cervical Spine in Sports-Related Concussion: Clinical Perspectives and Considerations for Risk Reduction.

SYNOPSIS: Sports-related concussion (SRC) occurs due to biomechanical forces to the head or neck that can result in pathophysiological changes in the brain. The musculature of the cervical spine has been identified as one potential factor in reducing SRC risk as well as for underlying sex differences in SRC rates. Recent research has demonstrated that linear and rotational head acceleration, as well as the magnitude of force upon impact, is influenced by cervical spine biomechanics. Increased neck strength and girth are associated with reduced linear and rotational head acceleration during impact. Past work has also shown that overall neck strength and girth are reduced in athletes with SRC. Additionally, differences in cervical spine biomechanics are hypothesized as a critical factor underlying sex differences in SRC rates. Specifically, compared to males, females tend to have less neck strength and girth, which are associated with increased linear and rotational head acceleration. Although our ability to detect SRC has greatly improved, our ability to prevent SRC from occurring and decrease the severity of clinical outcomes postinjury is limited. However, we suggest, along with others, that cervical spine biomechanics may be a modifiable factor in reducing SRC risk. In this commentary, we review the role of the cervical spine in reducing SRC risk, and how this risk differs by sex. We discuss clinical considerations for the examination of the cervical spine and the potential clinical relevance for SRC prevention. Additionally, we provide suggestions for future research examining cervical spine properties as modifiable factors in reducing SRC risk. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(3):202-208. Epub 15 Jan 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8582.