Appendix 1 from IS A YOGA-BASED PROGRAM WITH POTENTIAL TO DECREASE FALLS PERCEIVED TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO COMMUNITY-DWELLING PEOPLE AGED 60+?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives and importance of study: Yoga improves balance and mobility and hence has potential as a fall prevention strategy, yet it’s validity for preventing falls has not been established. The Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) and Tai Chi are proven to prevent falls. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions and preferences of older people towards a yoga-based program with potential to decrease falls, to compare these perceptions to the views expressed about the OEP and Tai Chi and to identify participant characteristics associated with a preference for the yoga program. Study type: Survey Methods: Participants were 235 community-dwellers aged 60+ years who were not currently or had not previously (within the last 10 years) participated in yoga-based exercise. Participants completed a self-report survey measuring demographics, physical activity level and attitude. Participants then viewed explanations of the: a) yoga-based program; b) OEP; and c) Tai Chi. Participants completed the Attitudes to Falls-Related Interventions Scale (AFRIS) to measure program acceptability and participants identified their preferred program. Acceptability scores and preference were compared between the programs and factors associated with yoga preference were identified with ANOVA analyses. Results: Mean age of the participants (69% female) was 69.4 years (SD 7.4). All programs were rated equally as acceptable (p=0.17), with AFRIS scores ranging from 28.1 to 29.4. Eighty-two people (35%) preferenced yoga, 32% chose OEP and 33% chose Tai Chi. Overall, people who preferred yoga were significantly younger, healthier, less fearful of falling and perceived exercise more positively compared to people who preferred the OEP (p values: 0.03 to p<0.001). The characteristics of people who preferred yoga and those who preferred Tai Chi did not vary significantly. Conclusions: Yoga was perceived to be appropriate and was as popular as two validated fall prevention programs. Yoga warrants further investigation as a fall prevention strategy, particularly for ‘younger’ and healthier people aged 60+.