Yoga and Mindfulness Intervention for Concussion Recovery.
Elizabeth B. DeVore, Andrea Morgenlander, Carol Krucoff, J. Morgenlander
International Journal of Yoga Therapy 2023 DOI: 10.17761/2023-d-21-00074 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 25 |
| Population | People aged 15-60 with recent concussion who presented to selected practices within a university health system |
| Duration | 5 consecutive days |
| Measures | Sports Concussion Assessment Tool version 3 (SCAT3), abbreviated version |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Among the 15 participants who completed the five-day MYTAC protocol, abbreviated SCAT3 concussion symptom scores fell by an average of 9.9 points, roughly 50%, from a baseline of 18.8 points. The authors conclude the protocol had fair tolerability and possibly a beneficial effect on concussion recovery, while noting significant methodological limitations and calling for larger, more rigorous studies. |
Abstract
Concussion imposes a substantial global health burden, and few evidence-based treatments that approach concussion treatment holistically are available. Moreover, early intervention is important before concussion symptoms become chronic and more refractory to treatment. In this pilot study, we evaluated the tolerability of a protocol called Mindfulness and Yoga for Treatment After Concussion (MYTAC), which was specifically designed for individuals with concussion. We also explored the possible benefit of the MYTAC protocol for concussion recovery. Participants were 15-60 years old with recent concussion and had presented to selected practices within a university health system. Participants used the video-based MYTAC protocol for 5 consecutive days and reported concussion symptoms on an abbreviated version of the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool version 3 (SCAT3). We compared the abbreviated SCAT3 scores across the intervention period, including immediately before and after each yoga session, using standard statistical methods for paired data. Of 25 participants enrolled in the study, 15 completed the MYTAC protocol and 1 completed 2 days of the protocol before withdrawing due to worsening symptoms; the remaining 9 participants did not complete the protocol. On average, total abbreviated SCAT3 scores decreased by 9.9 ± 7.6 points, or approximately 50%, over the intervention period (from an initial value of 18.8 ± 6.7 points prior to the yoga protocol). Although this pilot study had significant methodological limitations, we concluded that the MYTAC protocol had fair tolerability and possibly a beneficial effect on concussion recovery. However, future interventions should evaluate this protocol in larger, more rigorously designed studies.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |