Research: BERGER and COLLEAGUES,

Listed in Issue 172

Abstract

BERGER and COLLEAGUES,  Flushing Hospital, Queens, New York, USA examined yoga's effects on inner-city children's well-being.

Background

Methodology

This pilot study compared fourth- and fifth-grade students at 2 after-school programs in Bronx, New York. One program offered yoga 1 hour per week for 12 weeks (yoga) and the other program (non-yoga) did not. Preintervention and postintervention emotional well-being was assessed by Harter's Global Self-Worth and Physical Appearance subscales, which were the study's primary outcome measures. Secondary outcomes included other measures of emotional well-being assessed by 2 new scales: Perceptions of Physical Health and Yoga Teachings (including Negative Behaviours, Positive Behaviours, and Focusing/relaxation subscales). Preintervention and postintervention, physical wellbeing was assessed by measures of flexibility and balance. Subjective ratings of yoga's effects on well-being were evaluated by an additional questionnaire completed by the yoga group only.

Results

Data were collected from 78% (n=39) and 86.5% (n=32) of potential yoga and non-yoga study enrolees. No differences in baseline demographics were found. Controlling for preintervention well-being differences using analysis of covariance, we found that children in the yoga group had better postintervention Negative Behaviours scores and balance than the non-yoga group (P < .05). The majority of children participating in yoga reported enhanced wellbeing, as reflected by perceived improvements in behaviours directly targeted by yoga (e.g., strength, flexibility, balance).

Conclusion

Although no significant differences were found in the study's primary outcomes (global self-worth and perceptions of physical well-being), children participating in yoga reported using fewer negative behaviours in response to stress and had better balance than a comparison group. Improvements in wellbeing, specifically in behaviours directly targeted by yoga, were reported. These results suggest a possible role of yoga as a preventive intervention as well as a means of improving children's perceived well-being.

References

Berger DL, Silver EJ and Stein RE. Effects of yoga on inner-city children's well-being: a pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 15(5): 36-42. Sep-Oct 2009.

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