Yoga for Persons With Severe Visual Impairment

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to provide novel information on the feasibility of yoga interventions for secondary symptoms related to severe vision loss, such as sleep disturbances, negative mood states, fall risk and balance. This information will be important for determining safe, cost-effective and reliable practices for the benefits of yoga as an alternative means for improved health and well-being. A yoga intervention that is integrative and evidence-based will benefit the blind population through effective treatments and prevention of secondary symptoms as well as serve to inform rehabilitation specialists, educators, and clinicians in the future.

Detailed Description
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This study aims to provide novel information on the feasibility of yoga interventions for secondary symptoms related to severe vision loss, such as sleep disturbances, negative mood states, fall risk and balance. This information will be important for determining safe, cost-effective and reliable practices for the benefits of yoga as an alternative means for improved health and well-being. A yoga intervention that is integrative and evidence-based will benefit the blind population through effective treatments and prevention of secondary symptoms as well as serve to inform rehabilitation specialists, educators, and clinicians in the future.

Official Title
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Development of a Yoga Intervention for Symptoms Related to Severe Visual Impairment

Conditions
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Balance Impairment, Sleep Disturbance, Stress, Anxiety, Depression

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Yoga Intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age 18+ Legal blindness (visual acuity worse than 20/200 but better than no/bare light perception, and/or visual field less than 20º, in the better eye) Any ocular disease diagnosis that is expected to remain relatively stable throughout a 3-6 month period Being healthy to the extent that participation yoga therapy would not exacerbate any existing disease conditions; Willingness to participate on a weekly basis for the 12-week intervention; Moderate to severe sleep disturbances, defined as ratings of 5 or greater on the PSQI Exclusion Criteria: Significant changes to vision within the most recent 3-month period Inability to understand study procedures or communicate responses to visual stimuli in a consistent manner Clinically diagnosed or clinically significant sleep disorder (e.g., sleep apnea) or a medical or psychiatric condition (e.g., chronic pain) responsible for sleep complaints; Use of prescription sleep medication more than once a week for duration of the study; Use of other psychotropic medication; Current recipient of sleep disorder treatment; Consumption of more than 2-3 alcoholic beverages per day Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day;

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Yoga Therapy<br> | Behavioral: Yoga Intervention<br>* Three yoga classes per week for 8 weeks.<br>* Other names: Yoga, Ashtanga;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Static Balance | Measures will be assessed at baseline (Week 0) and immediately after the 8-week intervention at Week 8. | Week 0 and Week 8. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perceived Stress Scale | Measures will be assessed at baseline (Week 0) and immediately after the 8-week intervention at Week 8. | Week 0 and Week 8 | 
| Profile of Mood States - Short Form | Measures will be assessed at baseline (Week 0) and immediately after the 8-week intervention at Week 8. | Week 0 and Week 8 | 
| Exit Survey | The exist survey is administered immediately after the intervention during Week 8. | Week 8 | 
| Fear of Falling Questionnaire | Measures will be assessed at baseline (Week 0) and immediately after the 8-week intervention at Week 8. | Week 0 and Week 8 |