Objective: The objective of this study was to improve balance and balance confidence in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) following an 8-week therapeutic yoga intervention.

Background: Balance impairment is common in PD and contributes to falls and a fear of falling. Falls lead to serious secondary complications, such as increased mortality and fractures. Because balance is complex and requires integration of multiple body functions, structures, and systems, it is likely that a holistic mind-body intervention such as yoga will have more therapeutic advantages and will lead to greater improvements compared to simple body strengthening or stretching exercises completed through a single plane of movement. Group therapeutic yoga may be a viable and novel option and the skills gained may have a long-term impact and be complementary to and less costly than traditional exercise interventions.

Methods: To be included in this randomized controlled trial, individuals had to have a diagnosis of PD with a rating of 1.5-4 on the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Scale; endorsement of FoF, able to stand and walk 10 meters with or without an assistive device; >18 years old; able to speak English; score >4 out of 6 on the short Mini Mental Status Exam. Individuals were randomized into the experimental group or the wait list control (WLC). The intervention was an 8-week progressively difficult therapeutic yoga intervention, developed by yoga therapist for this population to focus on improving balance and reducing fear of falling. The UPDRS-motor was used to measure motor function. The Mini-BESTest measured four balance control systems, and the Functional Gait Assessment assessed postural stability. Fear of falling was measured with the Activity Balance Confidence (ABC) questionnaire.

Results: Twenty-three individuals completed the study. The UPDRS-motor scores improved significantly for individuals in the experimental group (t=2.727, p<.05), as did the Mini BESTest (t=-7.201, p=.000), the FGA (t=-9.699, p=.000), and the ABC (t=-2.983, p=.007). For the WLC, there were not significant changes in the UPDRS, FGA, or the ABC; however, there was a significant improvement in the Mini BESTest (t=-4.83, p=.001).

Conclusions: An 8-week therapeutic yoga intervention was successful in improvement balance and balance confidence for individuals with PD. Yoga is a viable tool to improve motor function and well-being in this population.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/therapeutic-yoga-improves-balance-and-balance-confidence-in-parkinsons-disease/