Yoga for stroke rehabilitation

Abstract

Yoga has the potential for being included as part of patient-centred stroke rehabilitation. However, this review has identified insufficient information to confirm or refute the effectiveness or safety of yoga as a stroke rehabilitation treatment. Further large-scale methodologically robust trials are required to establish the effectiveness of yoga as a stroke rehabilitation treatment.

Effects of Mind–Body Movements on Balance Function in Stroke Survivors: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Moreover, data from the emerging literature has increasingly highlighted the efficacy of augmentative Tai Chi or Qigong training for patients recovering from the acute phase of a stroke. Given previous concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of yoga as a stroke rehabilitation treatment due to a lack of information, these findings are encouraging [ 49 ]. To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis that has examined the effects of MBM interventions on post-stroke rehabilitation.…”

Tailoring Self-Help Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques for Stroke Survivors: Examining Preferences, Feasibility and Acceptability

“…Yoga is a form of mindfulness which can be used as self-help practice in stroke rehabilitation. A recent Cochrane systematic review suggested that yoga could help reduce state anxiety and had a positive effect on at least one aspect of stroke survivors’ quality of life (Lawrence et al, 2017).…”

Yoga as a Holistic Treatment for Chronic Illnesses: Minimizing Adverse Events and Safety Concerns

“…Yoga is one of the top ten complementary health practices used by adults in the U.S. where 45 percent of this population have at least one chronic illness (Wu and Green, 2000). Two meta-analyses were carried out to examine yoga in the context of stroke (Lawrence et al, 2017; Thayabaranathan et al, 2017). The authors of the meta-analyses concluded that yoga is effective but did not report any adverse event associated with yoga practice (Lawrence et al, 2017; Thayabaranathan et al, 2017).…”

“…Two meta-analyses were carried out to examine yoga in the context of stroke (Lawrence et al, 2017; Thayabaranathan et al, 2017). The authors of the meta-analyses concluded that yoga is effective but did not report any adverse event associated with yoga practice (Lawrence et al, 2017; Thayabaranathan et al, 2017). Despite this, safety is important during stroke rehabilitation, especially for practices which involve maintaining balance.…”

“…In contrast to the above mentioned reports on the adverse events associated with specific yoga practices there are a large number of studies on the benefits of yoga practice to improve physical and mental health (Hagen and Nayar, 2014; Jeter et al, 2015). Most of the studies which were conducted to assess the efficacy of yoga practice did not identify or report adverse events in the trials (Cramer et al, 2015b) In the meta-analyses of yoga used for stroke, multiple sclerosis and cardiac disease there was a lack of information about the safety of yoga practice, as adverse events were not usually mentioned (Cramer et al, 2014, 2015a; Lawrence et al, 2017; Thayabaranathan et al, 2017). This may be due to the fact that in such studies the yoga interventions were designed and delivered under the supervision of experienced yoga teachers (Cramer et al, 2015b) whereas in the four studies mentioned above on the adverse effects associated with yoga practice the subjects were either (i) practicing the yoga technique incorrectly, (ii) having precondition(s) related to the reported adverse effect, or (iii) were not aware that the particular yoga technique they were performing could worsen the precondition that they had.…”