title: Yoga to Reduce Trauma-Related Distress and Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties Among Children Living in Orphanages in Haiti: A Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure trauma-related distress and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an 8-week yoga intervention (YI) in reducing trauma-related symptoms and emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBD) among children living in orphanages in Haiti.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case comparison with random assignment to YI or aerobic dance control (DC) plus a nonrandomized wait-list control (WLC) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two orphanages for children in Haiti.
  
  
  METHODS
  76 children age 7 to 17 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The YI included yoga postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. The DC group learned a series of dance routines. The WLC group received services as usual in the institutional setting. After completion of data collection, the WLC group received both yoga and dance classes for 8 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The UCLA PTSD Reaction Index and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were used to indicate trauma-related symptoms and EBD, respectively. A within-subject analysis was conducted to compare pre- and post-treatment scores. A post-treatment yoga experience questionnaire evaluated acceptability of the YI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analyses of variance revealed a significant effect (F[2,28]=3.30; p=0.05) of the YI on the trauma-related symptom scores. Regression analyses showed that participation in either 8 weeks of yoga or dance classes suggested a reduction in trauma-related symptoms and EBD, although this finding was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Respondents reported satisfaction with the yoga program and improved well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with trauma-related distress showed improvements in symptoms after participation in an 8-week yoga program compared to controls. Yoga is a feasible and acceptable activity with self-reported benefits to child mental and physical health. Additional research is needed to further evaluate the effect of yoga to relieve trauma-related distress and promote well-being among children.
authors.affiliation: 1 Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University , Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Culver
authors.affiliation: 1 Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University , Durham, NC.|2 Center for Health Policy, Duke University , Durham, NC.|3 Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy, Duke University , Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Whetten
authors.affiliation: 1 Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University , Durham, NC.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.affiliation: 2 Center for Health Policy, Duke University , Durham, NC.|4 Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, NC.|5 Center for Child and Family Health, Duke University , Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006205:Haiti; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019372:Orphanages; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D015013:Yoga