Abstract
Deficits in motor capacity following stroke poses a potential threat to postural stability. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of yoga training on postural alignment, anticipatory postural adjustments, and compensatory postural adjustments in individuals with chronic stroke deficits. This study is a subset analysis from a prospective, randomized control trial using therapeutic yoga. Twenty one individuals with chronic motor deficits from stroke participated in an hour-long group yoga sessions twice a week for 8 weeks focusing on progressively challenging postures, breathing, and meditation in sitting, standing, and supine positions. Postural symmetry, compensatory postural adjustment, and anticipatory postural adjustment from the NeuroCom SMART Balance Master® were used to evaluate changes in postural stability. The Berg Balance Scale was used to evaluate correlations to changes in dynamic balance control. Prior to participation in yoga, significant weight distribution asymmetry was observed during full upright standing. After 8 weeks of yoga training, there were no significant differences in weight distribution between right and left legs at 0 degrees. Subjects demonstrated greater than 50% improvement in symmetry alignment for different standing positions. No significant changes in compensatory or anticipatory postural adjustments were seen following yoga training. Changes in functional BBS scores were significantly correlated to changes in upright standing symmetry. Yoga training may improve postural symmetry enhancing postural control decreasing the risk for falls in individuals with deficits from chronic stroke.
Highlights
Approximately 795,000 individuals sustain a stroke in the United States [1]
The purpose of this study was to assess a subset of individuals for: 1) changes in postural alignment in chronic stroke survivors following yoga training; 2) determine the ability for individuals with chronic stroke deficits to apply Anticipatory postural adjustments (APA) and compensatory postural adjustments (CPA) under perturbation; and 3) measure the change in APAs and CPAs following a yoga training
Baseline demographic or stroke characteristic data were not statistically different for individuals with or without electronic balance assessment (21 vs 26) except gender. 43% of the participants in this secondary analysis were female compared to only 9% for the overall study. 57% of the subjects rated themselves independent on the modified Rankin scale
Summary
Approximately 795,000 individuals sustain a stroke in the United States [1]. The high prevalence, negative stroke squeal and the subsequent disability after stroke make it the most commonly treated physical disability by rehabilitation therapists [2]. An important aspect of stroke recovery is the improvement in postural stability or balance. Postural stability has been defined as the ability to control the center of gravity within a given base of support including both static and dynamic conditions [3]. Balance is commonly impaired after stroke and often continues to be impaired into the chronic (>6 months) phases of recovery; [4,5,6,7,8,9,10] up to 83% of individuals demonstrate poststroke balance deficits [11]
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