CNE Activity

Chair Yoga: Benefits for Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Osteoarthritis

Juyoung Park, PhD; Ruth McCaffrey, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, GNP-BC

  • Journal of Gerontological Nursing
  • May 2012 - Volume 38 · Issue 5: 12-25
  • DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20120411-50
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Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether chair yoga was effective in reducing pain level and improving physical function and emotional well-being in a sample of community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to examine the effectiveness of chair yoga at baseline, midpoint (4 weeks), and end of the intervention (8 weeks). Although chair yoga was effective in improving physical function and reducing stiffness in older adults with osteoarthritis, it was not effective in reducing pain level or improving depressive symptoms. Future research planned by this team will use rigorous study methods, including larger samples, randomized controlled trials, and follow up for monitoring home practice after the interventions.

AUTHORS

Dr. Park is Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, and Dr. McCaffrey is Professor, College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This pilot study was supported by the Florida Atlantic University mentoring grant (seed grant).

Address correspondence to Juyoung Park, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431; e-mail: jpark14@fau.edu.

doi: 10.3928/00989134-20120411-50

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