Objective: This pilot study was designed to identify the potential benefits of breath-focused yoga on respiratory, physical, and psychological functioning for adults with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants: Ten individuals with severe TBI who self-selected to attend weekly yoga classes and 4 no-treatment controls were evaluated. Methods: Participants were assessed at pretreatment baseline and at 3-month intervals for a total of 4 time points over 40 weeks. Outcomes of interest included observed exhale strength, ability to hold a breath or a tone, breathing rate, counted breaths (inhale and exhale), and heart rate, as well as self-reported physical and psycho-logical well-being. Results: Repeated within-group analyses of variance revealed that the yoga group demonstrated significant longitudinal change on several measures of observed respiratory functioning and self-reported physical and psychological well-being over a 40-week period. Those in the control group showed marginal improvement on 2 of the 6 measures of respiratory health, physical and social functioning, emotional well-being, and general health. The small sample sizes precluded the analysis of between group differences. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence that breath-focused yoga may improve respiratory functioning and self-perceived physical and psychological well-being of adults with severe TBI.
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1 January 2012
Research Article|
October 15 2012
Respiratory, Physical, and Psychological Benefits of Breath-Focused Yoga for Adults with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Brief Pilot Study Report
Colin Silverthorne;
Colin Silverthorne
Professor of Psychology
1
University of San Francisco
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Sat Bir Khalsa;
Sat Bir Khalsa
2
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
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Robin Gueth;
Robin Gueth
Owner
3
The Stress Management Center of Marin (SMC), Larkspur, CA
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Nicole DeAvilla;
Nicole DeAvilla
Private Practice
4
Kentfield, CA
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Janie Pansini
Janie Pansini
Private Practice
5
Mill Valley, CA
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Int J Yoga Therap (2012) 22 (1): 47–52.
Citation
Colin Silverthorne, Sat Bir Khalsa, Robin Gueth, Nicole DeAvilla, Janie Pansini; Respiratory, Physical, and Psychological Benefits of Breath-Focused Yoga for Adults with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): A Brief Pilot Study Report. Int J Yoga Therap 1 January 2012; 22 (1): 47–52. doi: https://doi.org/10.17761/ijyt.22.1.1l804u9511623u25
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