Abstract
This study evaluated the feasibility of remotely delivered yoga for improving four physical activity-related skills: motor skills, strength, balance, and flexibility in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Nineteen of 20 participants enrolled (age 13.2 ± 2.2 years; 60% male) completed the 12-week intervention and attended 83% of the scheduled yoga sessions. Overall, physical activity-related skills improved pre to post intervention (Φ = 0.90, p = 0.005, 95% CI 0.72–1.0). Specifically, significant increases in leg strength (12.5%, p = 0.039), flexibility (40.3%, p = 0.008), and dynamic balance on the right (11.1%, p = 0.001) and left legs (8.1%, p = 0.003) were observed across 12 weeks. These results demonstrate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of yoga to improve physical activity-related skills in adolescents with ASD.
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This project was funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) through the Healthy Weight Research Network (HWRN; UA3MC25735). The first author of this manuscript was also supported by a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) awarded to the University of Kansas for Frontiers: University of Kansas Clinical and Translational Science Institute (Grant No. TL1TR002368). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the HWRN, HRSA, NCATS, or the National Institutes of Health.
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BCH, RNSF, LTP, RAW, and JED conceptualized the research idea and study design. BCH and RNM conducted the data analysis and interpreted the results. JS led data collection. All authors assisted in writing the manuscript and completed multiple revisions.
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Helsel, B.C., Foster, R.N.S., Sherman, J. et al. A Remotely Delivered Yoga Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Feasibility and Effectiveness for Improving Skills Related to Physical Activity. J Autism Dev Disord 53, 3958–3967 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05702-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05702-z