Case Study: Yoga Therapy for Balance and Mobility

As reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 Americans aged 65 and over fall each year.  Falls are the leading cause of death, injury and hospital admissions among older adults.  This is due to the fact that as we age we experience increased reaction times and decreased strength, sensorimotor processing and postural control.  Yoga addresses all of these risk factors, is low impact and can be easily implemented regardless of age or level of experience.   

In a study named Yoga Therapy for Balance and Mobility in Older Adults Clinical relevance, yoga appears to benefit older participants at risk of falls by improving balance and mobility. This study included subjects from 63-84 years old with Parkinson's disease, various forms of arthritis, and stroke (as well as otherwise healthy adults).  The results of this meta-analysis suggest yoga may lower the risk of falls, which can result in serious injury, loss of function, and even death. T h e yoga interventions studied were found to be safe, with only minor musculoskeletal side-effects reported. It would be expected that yoga in this population would also yield other benefits reported in scientific studies including lowered stress, improved mood, better sleep, etc.