USE OF YOGA FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Y. Salem^1,2, H. Liu³, M. Tolbert⁴, A. Young⁴

¹Hofstra University, Long Island, United States, ²Cairo University, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo, Egypt, ³Allen College, Waterloo, United States, ⁴Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, United States

Background: Individuals with disability including subjects with Down syndrome often present with weakness and difficulty in moving independently that may contribute to physical inactivity and limited participation in exercise programs. The consequences of physical inactivity are particularly detrimental in individuals with disabilities. Physical inactivity could contribute to secondary debilitating impairments and may lead to additional decline in functional status.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this proposed study is to determine the feasibility of using yoga and its effectiveness to improve physical function in adults with Down syndrome.

Methods: Twenty-two individuals with Down syndrome (ages between 18 and 42 years) participated in this study. subjects participated in the yoga program two times per week for 30 to 45 minutes over a period of 10 weeks. Participants were evaluated one week before and one week after the program. Primary outcomes were walking speed, Spatial and temporal gait parameters, Timed Up and Go, Timed One Legged Stance, Five Times-Sit-to-Stand test, Two-Minute Walk test, grip strength and SF-36.

Results: The results of this study revealed statistically significant (p <0.05). improvement in walking speed, stride length, Timed Up and Go, Two-Minute Walk test, and quality of life measured by DF-36. No significant changes were identified in stance time, and swing time.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed the potential benefits of yoga exercise on physical function in individuals with Down syndrome. These results suggest that the use yoga as an exercise program is feasible and beneficial to augment the rehabilitation of adults with Down syndrome.

Implications: Objective evidence of the potential benefits of yoga is essential. This study demonstrated the potential benefits of a popular exercise program to improve physical functioning and participation in physical activity in individuals with Down syndrome. If effective and safe, it can be used as a treatment strategy to augment the rehabilitation of individuals with Down syndrome. The findings of this study suggest the use yoga as an exercise program is feasible and beneficial to augment the rehabilitation of adults with Down syndrome.

Funding acknowledgements: None.

Keywords:
Down syndrome
Yoga
Physical Activity

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Community based rehabilitation
Disability & rehabilitation

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas.

Committee: Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Ethics number: 2014-173