Journal de yoga et de physiothérapie
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Exploring Yogas effects on impairments and functional limitations for a 9-year-old female with Cerebral Palsy. A case report.

Sarah Bugajski, Antonia Christian, Roberta K O’Shea and Ann M Vendrely

Background and purpose: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of the central nervous system that results from a brain injury during the early stages of development. Common deficits related to CP include decreased balance, muscle strength, and flexibility which in turn can lead to functional impairments. The practice and art of yoga has been shown to improve flexibility and standing balance, as well as, increased body awareness and quality of movement in normally developing children and those with special needs. The purpose of this case report was to describe the effects of a yoga program in addition to a comprehensive physical therapy program for nine-yearold female with diplegic CP on the subject’s strength, balance, flexibility, and functional mobility. Case description: The patient was a nine-year-old female with diplegic CP who presented to physical therapy with deficits in balance, flexibility, and strength as well as functional limitations such as difficulty dressing herself, difficulty ascending and descending stairs, and difficulty riding a bike. Interventions: In addition to a comprehensive physical therapy program, the patient participated in a six week children’s yoga program to address these deficits. Outcomes: The patient demonstrated improvement in balance, flexibility, strength, and functional mobility following the six week yoga program. Discussion: A six week yoga program for children may result in improved strength, balance, flexibility, and functional mobility in children with diplegic CP.