FEASIBILITY OF A YOGA INTERVENTION IN AN INPATIENT LIMB LOSS REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Authors: Mayo Amanda Lee , Cheung Betty , Li June , Jean Stephanie , Vijayakumar Abirami , Hitzig Sander L , Simpson Robert 
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND: Limb loss is a life-changing event, which may be associated with limited mobility, pain, and low mood. Yoga interventions have been found to be beneficial for improving emotional wellness and pain in other patient populations. The benefits of including yoga in limb loss rehabilitation have not been well studied.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if an adaptive yoga program would be suitable for individuals with newly acquired limb loss in a rehabilitation program.
METHODOLOGY: A yoga video was co-designed by rehabilitation clinicians and a limb loss patient partner certified in yoga instruction. Surveys were used to collect patients’ socio-demographics and previous yoga experience. Participants completed a therapist guided group yoga video session, and then given online access to practice independently. Post-yoga participation surveys and qualitative interviews were conducted with patients to determine acceptance and feasibility of the yoga intervention.
FINDINGS: Twenty-four participants with lower limb amputation(s) were approached to participate. The majority of participants (63%) had dysvascular-related amputations. Nineteen out of 24 recruited patients (79%) completed the yoga video session and the pre-yoga survey. Sixteen out of 19 participants completed the post-yoga survey, and eight also completed a qualitative interview. Five had previously undertaken yoga but rated themselves as novices. All participants felt that yoga was beneficial, easy to complete, and should be included in rehabilitation. Participants found yoga to be relaxing and some noted reduction in pain. Most preferred to do yoga in a group. Five out of eight patients (63%) interviewed continued to do the yoga video independently in hospital and post-discharge. Challenges with the yoga intervention included lack of a quiet yoga space, and dedicated time given other appointments/priorities.
CONCLUSION: Yoga was widely accepted by the inpatient limb loss population. Yoga may complement traditional limb loss rehabilitation by providing patients a relaxing experience; however, further research is needed.
Layman's Abstract
Patients with lower limb amputation often experience pain, difficulty exercising, and low mood. Traditional limb loss rehabilitation programs do not include yoga. Yoga has been found to help other patients with physical disabilities. It is unclear whether yoga would be beneficial for limb loss patients in rehabilitation programs. This study was conducted to determine if limb loss patients would find yoga beneficial for inclusion in a rehabilitation program. An adaptive yoga video was created by rehab therapists and a limb loss patient who is a yoga instructor. Participants with lower leg amputations completed a group video session during their rehabilitation hospital admission. Surveys and interviews were conducted to see the benefits of yoga and if it should be included in limb loss rehabilitation. Of the 24 patients approached to take part in the study, 19 (79%) were recruited and completed the pre-yoga survey and the yoga video. Sixteen participants completed the post-yoga survey, and 8 were interviewed about their experiences with the program. None of the participants had much experience with yoga, and 14 had never done yoga before. All the participants found yoga relaxing and some felt it helped reduce pain. Group yoga sessions were preferred by participants. A need for a quiet, private yoga space and available time for yoga were noted. Limb loss patients have widely accepted yoga, which appears to complement traditional therapy by providing a calming effect. More research on the benefits of yoga for patients with limb loss is needed.
Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/43896/33240
How To Cite: Mayo A.L, Cheung B, Li J, Jean S, Vijayakumar A, Hitzig S.L, et al. Feasibility of a yoga intervention in an inpatient limb loss rehabilitation program. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2024; Volume 7, Issue 1, No.6. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v7i1.43896
Corresponding Author: Dr. Amanda L. Mayo,Affiliation: St. John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Canada.E-Mail: amanda.mayo@sunnybrook.caORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7061-2529