Study on the effect of yoga after a stroke

An American study has shown that yoga improves physical function after a stroke in a variety of ways. The pilot study randomly divided 47 subjects with chronic stroke into a yoga group (n = 37) and a control group (n = 10). 16 yoga sessions were performed twice a week for eight weeks, including posture, breathing, meditation and relaxation in sitting, standing and supine positions.

Pain, freedom of movement, particularly in relation to neck and hip freedom, lower and upper extremity strength and endurance were measured using a six-minute walk and a two-minute test. All aspects measured showed significant improvements in the yoga group after eight weeks, while no change was observed in the control group. Therapeutic yoga thus leads to physical improvements after a stroke and could be used to complement traditional rehabilitation.