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eCAM Advance Access originally published online on September 26, 2007
eCAM 2007 4(4):519-529; doi:10.1093/ecam/nem075
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© 2007 The Author(s)
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/uk/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

A Phase I Feasibility Study of Yoga on the Physical Health and Coping of Informal Caregivers

Marieke Van Puymbroeck1, Laura L. Payne2 and Pei-Chun Hsieh3

1Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7109, USA, 2University of Illinois and 3Indiana University

Family and friends who provide unpaid care to an individual with a disease or disability (known as informal caregivers) experience numerous threats to their physical health as a result of providing care. In spite of evidence that participation in physical and leisure activities can be health promoting, informal caregivers have reported diminished or completely absent leisure participation. Hatha yoga has documented therapeutic benefits, including reduced anxiety, as well as improved muscle strength and endurance and flexibility. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of conducting an 8-week yoga program with informal caregivers, and to gather pilot data on the effects of yoga on the physical fitness and coping of informal caregivers. Caregivers were randomized into a yoga intervention (n = 8) or control group (n = 9). The yoga sessions were 2.5 hours/week for 8 weeks and consisted of a variety of pranayama (breathing) and asana (postures) activities and were led by a certified yoga instructor. Four caregivers (two in each group) dropped out of the study. After the conclusion of the 8-week yoga program, lower body strength increased significantly for those in the yoga group and other notable trends occurred in terms of coping, upper body strength and aerobic endurance. Caregivers in the control group experienced an unexpected increase in lower body flexibility. These findings indicate that caregivers in a yoga program may receive some benefits. Future studies are encouraged to test the efficacy of yoga as an intervention for caregivers.

Keywords: yoga – informal caregivers – physical health – coping – pilot study

For reprints and all correspondence: Dr Marieke Van Puymbroeck, Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7109, USA. Tel: 8128553093; Fax: 8128562151; E-mail: mvp{at}indiana.edu

Received June 27, 2006; accepted May 31, 2007


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