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American Heart Association reports benefits of Yoga to stroke survivors
8/7/2012
New research by the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that group yoga can help stroke survivors improve and regain their balance, according to the Clarksville Online. This provides a unique opportunity for trained yoga instructors looking for occupational therapist jobs.
The study, published in the AHA's journal Stroke, examined 47 chronic stroke victims whose ailments occurred more than six months prior. The participants were put on different yoga courses: twice-weekly group yoga for eight weeks, a yoga-plus group which met twice a week and a usual medical care group that did no special rehabilitation treatments. In a comparison between participants in the various test groups, patients who underwent yoga exercises significantly improved their balance compared to those in the usual-care group.
"For people with chronic stroke, something like yoga in a group environment is cost effective and appears to improve motor function and balance," Arlene Schmid, the lead researcher at Roudebush Veterans Administration-Medical Center, told the news source. "[The improvements have] to do with the confidence of being more mobile...These were very meaningful changes in life for people."
Stroke survivors often face problems with balance, leading to a higher risk of falls. Survivors in the yoga group showed improved scores for independence and quality of life and were generally less afraid of falling.
Experts have long touted the benefits of yoga over traditional therapeutic exercises due to the combination of postures, breathing and meditation. While limited conclusions are being drawn from this study due to its small sample size and lack of diversity among its patients, the researchers involved are hoping to conduct a larger study soon.
According to the Stroke Center, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the country each year. Additionally, approximately 600,000 people suffer a first stroke attack every year. These increasing numbers might lead to a greater need for occupational therapist jobs for yoga-trained therapists.
Reflectx Staffing Services
8/7/2012
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