Merging Yoga and Group OT (MY-OT) to Improve Balance and Decrease Fall Risk After Stroke

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The long-term goal of this project is to advance best practices in occupational therapy (OT) to manage fall risk factors and reduce fall rates in older adults with stroke. To address this long-term goal, this team previously developed and pilot-tested a therapeutic yoga intervention to improve balance, balance self-efficacy, and fear of falling and a group OT intervention to improve the management of fall risk factors and fear of falling. The success of both prior studies supports Merging Yoga and group OT to improve balance, balance self-efficacy, and fall risk factor management. The objectives of this feasibility study are to 1) further develop, standardize, and manualize the MY-OT intervention and 2) assess change in balance, balance self-efficacy, and fall risk factor management.

Detailed Description
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8 week intervention of yoga plus occupational therapy. The objectives of this feasibility study are to 1) further develop, standardize, and manualize the MY-OT intervention and 2) assess change in balance, balance self-efficacy, and fall risk factor management.

Official Title
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Merging Yoga and Group OT (MY-OT)

Conditions
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Stroke

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: yoga and occupational therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: stroke >6 months prior 59 years or older prior fall or Fear of Falling (FoF) completed all stroke rehabilitation able to stand with or without an assistive device impaired balance with a score of <46 on the Berg Balance Scale able to speak English score >4 out of 6 on the short Mini Mental Status Exam (Callahan, Unverzagt et al., 2002) able and willing to attend twice weekly sessions for 8 weeks. Exclusion Criteria: people with life expectancy <9 months; inability to attend sessions due to unresolved transportation issues; inability or refusal to provide informed consent

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 59 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

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: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Yoga and occupational therapy<br>twice a week for 8 weeks. one hour of group occupational therapy for fall risk factor management and one hour of yoga for balance | Other: yoga and occupational therapy<br>* group OT addressed fall risk factors, such as risk factors inside and outside and how to best manage them. yoga was delivered in sitting, standing, and floor postures<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in balance using Berg Balance Scale | 14 items to assess balance | 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in balance confidence using Activities Balance Confidence Scale | assess balance self-efficacy or confidence to maintain balance while doing different actions | 8 weeks | 
| Change in falls management behaviors using the Falls Management Behavior Questionnaire | assess the knowledge of how to manage and change behaviors associated with falls | 8 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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yoga, occupational therapy, stroke