title: The Effect of Yoga on Balance and Fear of Falling in Older Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of yoga on balance and fear of falling in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Jahandidegan Center in Shiraz, southern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty persons (17 men and 23 women) between the ages of 60-74 years with a Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) score <8 and a Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score <45. After completing the MFES questionnaire and BBS measurement, the participants were divided into intervention and control groups. BBS measurement and the MFES questionnaire were completed again immediately after the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group participated in 2 yoga practice sessions per week for 8 weeks. The control group received no intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fear of falling was measured with the MFES and balance was measured with the BBS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant changes in both variables (P < .0001). Mean differences before and after the intervention for the BBS for yoga and control groups were 10.19 and -1.16, respectively. Mean differences before and after the intervention for the MFES for yoga and control groups were 1.62 and -0.21, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yoga is a potential intervention to reduce fear of falling and improve balance in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Fatemeh (P.B.U.H) School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Namazi Square, Shiraz, Iran(∗)(‡)(§).
authors.forename: Narjes
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nick
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran(†).
authors.forename: Peyman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petramfar
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Fatemeh (P.B.U.H) School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Namazi Square, Shiraz, Iran(∗)(‡)(§).
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghodsbin
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Department, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran(¶).
authors.forename: Sareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keshavarzi
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Fatemeh (P.B.U.H) School of Nursing & Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Namazi Square, Shiraz, Iran(∗)(‡)(§). Electronic address: jahanbii@sums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Iran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jahanbin
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015013:Yoga