Yoga Therapy for Adolescents With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Yoga Therapy for Adolescents With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

The purpose of the study is to better understand the effects of a yoga program on adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The investigators want to learn whether or not a yoga therapy based program will decrease pain and improve quality of life in patients with JIA.

This is an 8-week program with home program of online videos.

This is an 8-week program consisting of weekly yoga therapy classes in a public studio. The classes are led by a pediatric occupational therapist who is also a certified internationally accredited yoga therapist (C-IAYT). The initial and final sessions will include an Rheumatologist MD evaluation including a physician global assessment and joint damage assessment (JADI) and visual assessment (VAS). A Visual Analog Pain Scale will and Peds Quality of Life Questionnaire-Arthritis Module 4.0 will be administered. Each yoga class is 75 minutes to include a set-sequence of postures including breathing exercises and final corpse pose (final relaxation).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents with formal diagnosis of JIA, speak and understand English, can get on/off floor independently.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Dependent on assistive device for ambulation; does not understand English, does not have a diagnosis of JIA.