Browsing by Author "Mason, Arianne"

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    Changes in Walking Spatiotemporal Parameters After Therapeutic Yoga in People with Chronic Stroke
    (Iris, 2019) Miller, Kristine K.; Altenburger, Peter; Dierks, Tracy; Mason, Arianne; Van Puymbroeck, Marieke; Schmid, Arlene A.; Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    Walking limitations after stroke can contribute to long-term functional impairments. Walking characteristics such as spatiotemporal step parameters may be associated with these persistent walking limitations. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in specific spatiotemporal walking parameters such as: walking speed; step length; swing time; step parameter symmetry; and double support time in adults with stroke who were participating in a therapeutic yoga intervention. The therapeutic yoga intervention was offered as a post-rehabilitation wellness activity 2 times per week for 8 weeks and was led by a yoga therapist. Spatiotemporal walking data were collected using the GAITRite Walkway System on a sub sample (n=24) of participants in a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of therapeutic yoga for improving balance in adults with chronic stroke. These data demonstrated that therapeutic yoga may have a positive impact on some spatiotemporal walking characteristics such as comfortable walking speed, step length, and double support time, while other spatiotemporal walking characteristics did not change (step parameter symmetry) or change at a significant level (sustained walking speed). The clinical relevance of this study is that participation in therapeutic yoga as a post-rehabilitation wellness activity may have a positive impact on walking characteristics in adults with chronic stroke.
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    Post-Rehabilitation Adapted-Yoga at the YMCA for Adults with Acquired Brain Injury: A Feasibility and Pilot Study
    (Juniper, 2020) Miller, Kristine K.; Burris, Richard; Nuest, Hilary; Mason, Arianne; Schmid, Arlene A.; Hanna, Carol; Barringer, Monica; Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    Background & purpose: Adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) (stroke and traumatic brain injury) experience long-term physical performance deficits for which participation in post-rehabilitation exercise is recommended. Community-based adapted-yoga has potential as an exercise modality to promote post-rehabilitation exercise and physical function improvements. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and benefit of adapted-yoga at the local YMCA for post-rehabilitation adults with ABI. Methods: Participants were recruited by referral from clinical therapists in outpatient rehabilitation centers to participate in adapted-yoga 2x/week for 8 weeks at the YMCA. Referral tracking, yoga attendance, safety, and intervention fidelity were assessed for feasibility. Participants completed pre and post-yoga assessments of balance (trunk impairment scale [TIS], berg balance scale [BBS], dynamic gait index [DGI]) and walking (10-meter walk test [10MWT] and six-minute walk test [6MWT]) and 8 weeks of adapted-yoga class. Results: Thirty-two people were referred to the YMCA adapted-yoga program by clinical therapists with 17 (53%) of referred persons enrolling in the program. Intervention fidelity was 87% with the standardized adapted-yoga protocol, and the average number of classes attended was 12.82+3.7. Balance (TIS, p<0.001; BBS, p<0.001; DGI, p<0.001), and walking distance (6MWT, p= 0.028) all significantly improved after 8-weeks of yoga. Balance confidence did not improve significantly and walking speed did not change. Discussion & Conclusion: Clinician referral to community-based programs may be a feasible mechanism to engage persons in post-rehabilitation community-based exercise. Adapted-yoga may beneficially impact balance and walking performance in post-rehabilitation adults with ABI.