Yoga improves balance, mobility, and perceived occupational performance in adults with chronic brain injury: A preliminary investigation.

Only seven participants completed all aspects, and the study is described as preliminary, so it cannot establish effects in a larger population. There was no randomised control group; participants served as their own controls, and the authors note practice effects as a concern. The analysis averaged baseline and pre-yoga scores to account for practice effects, which may have reduced variability and affected the post-yoga comparisons. The sample was heterogeneous in brain injury mechanism, and injury severity was not obtained. Three of four self-report outcomes were null, and self-awareness deficits after brain injury may have affected self-report. No Bonferroni corrections were applied, so multiple significant findings should be interpreted cautiously.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Do not conclude that yoga is proven to reduce falls or improve balance confidence, pain, or occupational satisfaction. This was a small uncontrolled pilot, and the intervention included physical postures, breath work, affirmations, and meditation/relaxation, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated.