title: Effects of a 4-month Ananda Yoga program on physical and mental health outcomes for persons with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Yoga has been found to be effective for addressing problems with strength, flexibility, balance, gait, anxiety, depression, and concentration. Varying degrees of these problems occur in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study examined the effects of a comprehensive, 4-month yoga program on strength, mobility, balance, respiratory function, and quality of life for individuals with MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty four individuals with MS participated in an intensive Ananda Yoga training followed by 17 weeks of home practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements in functional strength, balance, and peak expiratory flow and a trend toward improvements in mental health and quality of life outcomes were detected following the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this exploratory study suggest that yoga can have a positive impact on physical functioning and quality of life for persons with mild to moderate MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, California State University, Sacramento, CA.
authors.forename: Bryan Coleman
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.forename: Maitri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ilgun
authors.forename: Gyandev
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCord
authors.forename: Mangala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loper-Powers
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Houten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga
keywords: balance control; cognitive function; functional strength; multiple sclerosis; quality of life; respiratory function; yoga; yoga therapy