Effect of Chair Yoga Therapy on Functional Fitness and Daily Life Activities among Older Female Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of chair yoga therapy on enhancing functional status and daily life activity scores in older female adults with knee osteoarthritis living in the community.

Design: Quasi-experimental design.

Participants: 85 female participants with knee osteoarthritis.

Intervention: A 12-week chair yoga exercise program, conducted twice a week from January to April 2020.

Outcome Measures: Changes in physical functional ability, body mass index, and biophysiological indicators pre- and post-intervention.

Results: Significant improvements in functional fitness and daily life activity scores were observed post-chair yoga intervention.

Conclusion: Chair yoga effectively improved functional fitness and daily life activity scores in elderly females with knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction

Background

• Rapid aging worldwide has led to increased occurrences of age-related diseases, including osteoarthritis.
• Osteoarthritis, especially in the knee, leads to pain, stiffness, and reduced physical function.
• Exercise, including yoga, has shown benefits in managing osteoarthritis, improving joint stability, mobility, and functional ability.

Study Rationale

• Chair yoga offers a safe and stable form of exercise for the elderly, potentially improving muscle endurance and flexibility.
• Previous studies indicate benefits of chair yoga, but more research is needed, especially in the Taiwanese context.

Objective

                   To assess the effectiveness of chair yoga therapy in improving functional fitness and daily life activity scores in older female adults with knee osteoarthritis in 
                   Taiwan.

Methods

Study Design and Procedure

• Quasi-experimental design conducted in southern Taiwan.
• Participants: Older female adults (>65 years) with self-reported knee osteoarthritis.
• Random assignment to intervention or comparison group.
• Intervention group received structured chair yoga therapy sessions.
• Outcome measures included senior functional fitness tests and IADL assessments.

Research Instrument

• Senior Functional Fitness Test by Rikli and Jones (2013) for physical status assessment.
• Lawton Instrumental Daily Living Scale (IADL) for evaluating daily activities.

Chair Yoga Intervention Technique

• Based on a previous study, with content validity evaluated by geriatric experts.
• 110-minute sessions, twice weekly for 12 weeks.
• Focus on balance, muscle strength, flexibility, and breathing.
• Modifications made as necessary for disease-related complications.

Conclusion

                  The study successfully demonstrated that chair yoga is an effective intervention for improving functional fitness and daily life activities in older female adults with 
                  knee osteoarthritis. This suggests the potential of chair yoga as a therapeutic modality in this demographic.

Chair Yoga Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Female Adults

Background

                 This case study focuses on the effectiveness of chair yoga therapy in improving functional fitness and daily life activities among older community-dwelling female 
                 adults with knee osteoarthritis in Taiwan. The study aimed to assess the nonpharmacologic management of knee osteoarthritis through a 12-week chair yoga 
                 therapy program.

Methodology

Participants

A total of 85 participants (43 in the intervention group and 42 in the comparison group) completed the study.

Average age: 77.52 ± 6.15 years.

41.65% of participants were illiterate.

Participants had an average of 1.46 types of chronic diseases.

Intervention

12-week chair yoga program, conducted twice a week.

Chair yoga positions included arm swings, seated mountain pose, down dog with chair, hero pose, knee lifts, and tree pose.

Data Collection and Analysis

Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 24.0, IBM).

Functional fitness and daily life activity scores were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Functional Fitness and Daily Life Activities

Significant improvements in hand grip strength, lower- and upper-limb muscle strength, static balance, agility and dynamic balance, lower-limb flexibility, and daily life activities in the intervention group (p < 0.001).

No significant difference in upper-limb flexibility (p = 0.965).

Cohen’s d effect size for the intervention: 3.06.

Discussion

Chair yoga effectively improved functional fitness and daily life activity scores.

The program led to muscle contractions, improving muscle strength and endurance.

Chair yoga may reduce fall risk and improve overall well-being and quality of life.

Limitations

Quasi-experimental design may limit external validity.

Intervention implemented in the community; results may not be generalizable to long-term care institutions.

Results were based on pre- and post-test measures after a 12-week intervention.

Small sample size and absence of male subjects in the study.

Future studies should consider long-term follow-ups and involve multiple modalities.

Conclusions

Chair yoga therapy is a feasible and effective intervention for older female adults with knee osteoarthritis. It shows beneficial effects on functional fitness and daily life activity scores. Such therapy can be adopted as part of daily life, potentially reducing the progression of the disease to disability.

Author Contributions

All authors made significant contributions to the study.

Reference: Healthcare 2023, 11, 1024

 Chair Yoga Therapy, Knee Osteoarthritis, Functional Fitness, Daily Life Activities.

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