Take a Seat for Yoga with Seniors: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Chair yoga is a specific form of yoga practiced while seated on a chair, or standing using a chair for support; this adaptation allows those with impaired standing ability to practice safely. The purpose of this scoping review was to analyze the published literature regarding the use of chair/adapted yoga with older adults. Two researchers performed the review. Data sources: PubMed Central, CINAHL, Medline Full Text, Nursing and Allied Health, SPORT discus and TRIP were accessed. Study selection: Inclusion criteria included pre-test/post-test studies with a yoga intervention for older adults using a chair. Exclusion criteria were studies with seated exercise interventions not specific to yoga, mindfulness or breathing techniques with no physical activity, yoga with no use of a chair, not specific to older adults and reviews. The search strategy was performed by two reviewers. Data extraction: Covidence, a systematic review production tool, was utilized to aid article analysis. Data synthesis: Summation of study type, sample, dosing, intervention type, setting, outcome domains and results were included. Of the 3147 studies initially identified, 75 met the inclusion criteria. This review included 32 RCTs, 11 quasi-experimental, 21 cohort, nine qualitative studies and 2 case-series studies. Most studies reported affective and psychomotor domains of learning (n = 51) and favored chair/adapted yoga as an intervention over the control. A few studies included a second intervention. Twenty two of the 75 studies were focused on community dwelling older adults, followed by participants with orthopedic diagnoses (n = 16), and cognitive impairment (n = 9). The quality of literature supporting chair/adapted yoga is fairly substantial for both community dwelling and those with certain physical and cognitive diagnoses. It is recommended that this intervention continue to be utilized and studied.