This long-term goal of this project was to advance best practices in occupational therapy in conjunction with yoga. To address the long-term goal, this research team developed a pilot yoga intervention. The intervention was designed to focus on balance, balance confidence, body responsiveness, pain, physical ability and quality of life. Assessments were then chosen to address these areas pre and post yoga intervention. A manual and protocol were developed for the intervention and then the intervention was implemented with a group of individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury.

This was an 8-week yoga intervention, focused on demonstrating the preliminary feasibility and efficacy of yoga for individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury. The study was a mixed-methods longitudinal study. Assessments were conducted 8 weeks prior to the yoga intervention and then just following the 8 week yoga intervention. The objectives of this feasibility and efficacy study was to 1) further develop, standardize, and manualize the yoga for the traumatic brain injury intervention and 2) assess change in balance, balance confidence, body responsiveness, pain, physical ability, and quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• chronic TBI (>6 months)
• greater than or equal to 18 years of age
• no consistent practice of yoga in the last year

Exclusion Criteria:

• inability to provide informed consent
• less than 18 years of age
• self-report of exercise restriction
• consistent yoga practice within the last year
• inability to attend sessions based on transportation restrictions