Two New Studies on Yoga and Parkinsons Disease

by Nina

Richard Rosen, Age 67, by Melina Meza

Just a quick post today to let you know about two recent studies on yoga for Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, prevalent in 1% of all individuals over the age of 60 years. It is characterized by tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. In addition, people with PD have neuropsychiatric symptoms affecting mood, sleep, psychosis, and impulse control. Because the medication currently used to treat symptoms (there is no cure for it) loses effectiveness over time and also has serious side effects, these researchers realized there is a compelling need for alternative therapies to improve function and quality of life in persons with PD.

The first study Effect of Yoga on Motor Function in People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study was a small pilot study designed to determine whether yoga could help improve motor function in people with PD. Remember, a pilot study is small because the intention is to find proof of concept before investing in a larger study. So for this study, only thirteen adults with PD who were unfamiliar with yoga were studied. The yoga program used was an 60-minute Iyengar sequence specifically designed for people with PD to help improve strength, flexibility, body alignment, and overall well-being. The sequence included physical postures, breathing, and meditation, and the participants practiced it twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants were assessed prior to starting the program, at 6 weeks of pratice, and immediately following 12 weeks of practice. The assessment included motor examination scores from the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, posture, measures of extremity range of motion, flexibility and strength, and biomechanical measures of balance and gait that occurred at 3 time points. The researchers concluded: 

"Findings suggest that yoga practice improves motor function which may be partially explained by improvements in balance, strength, posture and gait. Due to the progressive nature of PD yoga programs may offer a way to maintain wellness and perhaps quality of life."

The second study Applications of yoga in Parkinson's disease: a systematic literature review focused on the impact of yoga both on physical function and psychological well-being in people with PD. This study was a systematic literature review, which means rather than doing original research, the researchers performed a literature search for randomized controlled trials, pretest–post-test design, and case studies. The outcomes of the studies included functional mobility, flexibility, balance, strength, depression, sleep, and quality of life. According to the researchers:

"The preliminary data suggested that yoga resulted in modest improvements in functional mobility, balance, and lower-limb strength in persons with PD. This has implications for gait, postural stability, balance confidence, and functional declines related to inactivity. An improved upper- and lower-body flexibility following yoga in persons with PD is applicable to rigidity, shuffling gait, and flexed posture. The presented evidence also showed positive outcomes for mood and sleep, demonstrating yoga's benefit for self-efficacy and social support."

They concluded that yoga provides an alternative method for addressing some of the reversible factors that impact motor function as well as contributing to improved psychosocial well-being.

Although more research is necessary for full proof, these two studies are very promising. And we already know from anecdotal evidence that yoga is very beneficial for people with PD (see Yoga for Parkinson's Disease, Part 1 and Interview with Vickie Russell Bell). So if you are already practicing, by all means keep it up. And if you have not yet started to take yoga for PD, perhaps these studies will encourage you to find a suitable class or teacher in your community.

And thanks to all you teachers out there who are specializing in teaching for this group. You're doing such important work!

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