Executive Function After Yoga: Adults With Acquired Brain Injury-A Pilot Study

Abstract

Importance: Acquired brain injury (ABI) may result in deficits in executive function (EF), which affects engagement in occupations.

Objective: To explore the impact of group yoga on EF in people with ABI.

Design: Single-arm pilot study with preyoga assessments and postyoga assessments (after 8 wk of yoga).

Setting: Yoga classes and assessments were completed within university buildings on a college campus.

Participants: Twelve participants with chronic ABI (>6 mo post-ABI) were recruited through convenience and purposive strategies from the local community.

Intervention: An 8-wk adaptive group yoga intervention was provided by an adaptive yoga specialist. Yoga classes were 60 min and occurred once per week.

Outcomes and measures: EF was assessed before and after the yoga intervention using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) self-report form. Normative data were analyzed with paired sample t tests.

Results: Nine participants completed all study procedures. Results from paired sample t tests showed significant improvements on the Behavioral Regulation Index of the BRIEF-A (p = .046). No significant improvements were found on individual EF scales, the Metacognition Index, or the Global Executive Composite (ps > .05).

Conclusions and relevance: Group-based yoga may improve some aspects of EF for adults with chronic ABI; however, further research with larger sample sizes is needed. Plain-Language Summary: Yoga, an intervention increasingly used in occupational therapy practice, may be beneficial in improving behavioral regulation (an executive function) for adults with acquired brain injury.