The overall purpose of this study is to deliver a 12-week yoga program to older adults (over 60 years of age) in rural WI who do not have access to yoga programming and examine the effects of the programming on activities of daily living, gait, balance, falls, activity level and social isolation.
Participants will be assigned to immediately begin a 12-week yoga class (2 classes per week for 75 minutes each) or complete a 12-week wait (wait-list control). The measures of interest will be examined at pretest (wait-list only), baseline, posttest and at 3-month follow-up to see what, if any, changes are maintained after completion of the program. All assessment data collections sessions will be conducted on-site at a predetermined site identified by the community partners.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
88
free 12 week yoga program, twice a week for 75 minutes each
assigned to take the Yoga Program in 12-weeks
Garmin VivoSmart activity monitor throughout study
University of Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Change in MiniBESTest Score
The mini-BESTest will be used to assess balance. This 14-item, clinical battery is used to assess balance in four component areas (anticipatory transitions, postural response, sensory orientation and dynamic gait) and provides a single number summary of balance performance. Scores range from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating higher function.
Time frame: [pre-test for waitlist group 3 months prior to class], baseline, post-test (3-months), 3-month follow up (6-months)
Change in Fall Frequency
Change in the frequency of falls will be assessed using a forced-choice paradigm: none, once, 2 to 10 times, weekly, or daily over the last 6 months.
Time frame: [pre-test for waitlist group 3 months prior to class], baseline, post-test (3-months), 3-month follow up (6-months)
Change in the Canadian Occupational Performance Measures (COPM)
The COPM is composed of the following steps: 1) participant identifies occupational performance problems for self-care and productivity, 2) participant rates each issue on a score of 1-10 (higher scores are more important), 3) participant chooses 5 most important problems, 4) participant rates each issue (1-10) for performance and satisfaction, 5) average score for each (performance and satisfaction) are calculated. Final score for each is 1-10 with higher scores better.
Time frame: [pre-test for waitlist group 3 months prior to class], baseline, post-test (3-months), 3-month follow up (6-months)
Change in Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC)
The ABC Scale measures a fear of falling. It is a 16-item survey where participants rate their level of self-confidence (0-100, where 100 is the highest self-confidence) for each item. The average score is reported.
Time frame: [pre-test for waitlist group 3 months prior to class], baseline, post-test (3-months), 3-month follow up (6-months)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change in Standardized Gait Analysis: Gait Velocity
Using the GaitRite® System, the temporal and spatial parameters of each participant will be captured during walking. The GaitRite® mat is a 14 foot portable electronic walkway, embedded with sensors to enable the measurement spatiotemporal variables of gait such as cadence, normalized velocity, stride length, base of support, and percent of cycle in double support. Participants will begin at a starting point two meters from the mat, then walk toward and step onto the mat to continue walking until they achieve the stop line located two meters off of the opposite side of the mat. Data will be collected for forward preferred speed, backward preferred speed, forward fast, tandem and dual task gait. Each participant will complete five trials for each condition.
Time frame: [pre-test for waitlist group 3 months prior to class], baseline, post-test (3-months), 3-month follow up (6-months)