A Pilot Study of Iyengar Yoga for Pediatric Obesity: Effects on Gait and Emotional Functioning
Keri R. Hainsworth,
Xue Cheng Liu,
Pippa M. Simpson,
Ann M. Swartz,
Nina Linneman,
Susan T. Tran,
Gustavo R. Medrano,
Bryant Mascarenhas,
Liyun Zhang,
Steven J. Weisman
Affiliations
Keri R. Hainsworth
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Xue Cheng Liu
Department of Orthopedics, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Pippa M. Simpson
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Ann M. Swartz
Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
Nina Linneman
Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
Susan T. Tran
Department of Psychology, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Gustavo R. Medrano
Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
Bryant Mascarenhas
Santosh Yoga, LLC, Brookfield, WI 53005, USA
Liyun Zhang
Division of Quantitative Health Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Steven J. Weisman
Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
Obesity negatively impacts the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremities in children and adolescents. Although yoga has the potential to provide several distinct benefits for children with obesity, this is the first study to examine the benefits of yoga for gait (primary outcome) in youths with obesity. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life (HRQoL), physical activity, and pain. Feasibility and acceptability were also assessed. Nine youths (11–17 years) participated in an eight-week Iyengar yoga intervention (bi-weekly 1-h classes). Gait, HRQOL (self and parent-proxy reports), and physical activity were assessed at baseline and post-yoga. Pain was self-reported at the beginning of each class. Significant improvements were found in multiple gait parameters, including hip, knee, and ankle motion and moments. Self-reported and parent-proxy reports of emotional functioning significantly improved. Time spent in physical activity and weight did not change. This study demonstrates that a relatively brief, non-invasive Iyengar yoga intervention can result in improved malalignment of the lower extremities during ambulation, as well as in clinically meaningful improvements in emotional functioning. This study extends current evidence that supports a role for yoga in pediatric obesity.
