Yoga to Reduce Trauma-Related Distress and Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties Among Children Living in Orphanages in Haiti: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Children with trauma-related distress showed improvements in symptoms after participation in an 8-week yoga program compared to controls. Yoga is a feasible and acceptable activity with self-reported benefits to child mental and physical health. Additional research is needed to further evaluate the effect of yoga to relieve trauma-related distress and promote well-being among children.

Trauma-Informed Yoga: An Embodied, Cognitive-Relational Framework

“…Studies have also examined yoga interventions for children and adolescents who have experienced various forms of trauma exposure in different regions of the world [19]. Several studies thus far have examined the effectiveness of this approach as an adjunctive treatment for trauma, including in adults [20] and youth [21].…”

The Impact of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Interventions on People Affected by Humanitarian Emergencies: A systematic review

“…All but three studies (two only girls, 92,106 one only boys 102 ) included both boys and girls in their research. Seven studies evaluated the impact of MHPSS programmes on refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), two on mothers and babies, 87,103 and two studies included children living in orphanages in Haiti 86 and Rwanda. 111 The majority of studies assessed interventions delivered in the aftermath of disasters, over periods ranging from within the first few weeks 84,97 to approximately 10 years or more.…”

“…84,87,99,103,111,112 Six studies had more than one intervention arm, 82,85,86,88,105,114 and 11 studies compared the effect of MHPSS programmes on CYP with those who received no intervention. One study 110 randomly allocated boys into a competitive football league group or a wait-list comparison.…”

“…109 Six studies reported that participants were aware of their intervention assignment status. 82,85,86,92,99,108 Nineteen did not report on blinding and were rated as having an unclear risk of bias.…”

“…Outcome assessors were not blinded to the participants' treatment groups in four studies. 86,94,115,117 Nine studies did not provide information on the blinding of outcome assessments.…”