Evaluation of a specialized yoga program for persons with a spinal cord injury: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Journal of Pain Research, 2017 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S130530 · Published: May 3, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Alternative Medicine Mental Health

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to see if a special yoga program could help people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) feel better emotionally and mentally. Participants were divided into two groups: one that did yoga right away and another that waited. The yoga program focused on specific poses designed for people with SCI. The study found that those who did yoga reported feeling less depressed and more self-compassionate compared to those who waited. They also felt more mindful.

Study Duration

6 weeks

Participants

23 participants with spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 1, Randomized Controlled Trial

Key Findings

1
Participants in the Iyengar yoga group had significantly lower T2 scores on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression.
2
The Iyengar yoga group had significantly higher T2 scores on the Self-Compassion Scale – Short Form.
3
Combining both groups, postintervention scores were significantly higher than preintervention scores for mindfulness and mindful observing and mindful nonreactivity.

Research Summary

This pilot randomized controlled study evaluated a 6-week specialized Iyengar yoga program for improving psychological factors, pain and related variables, and mindfulness in individuals with SCI. The results of this RCT indicate that self-reported symptoms of depression improved and self-compassion increased in individuals with SCI who participated in a specialized 6-week yoga intervention compared to a WLC. The results also suggest that a yoga program may result in increases in mindfulness from preintervention to postintervention, with an increased capacity to observe and not react to immediate physical and emotional experience.

Practical Implications

Clinical Integration

Yoga programs, especially Iyengar yoga, can be integrated into rehabilitation programs for individuals with SCI to improve mental health and well-being.

Mindfulness Promotion

Yoga interventions that emphasize mindfulness concepts such as acceptance and openness may offer protection from the psychological consequences of SCI.

Accessible Intervention

Yoga is a relatively low-cost therapeutic intervention that, once learned, can be practiced safely and independently, empowering patients and partially reducing dependence on care providers.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size
2
Exclusive use of self-report measures
3
WLC design is limited by the possibility that participants in the WLC group may change their behavior in the waiting period.

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