Relaxation Response–Based Yoga Improves Functioning in Young Children with Autism: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Objectives: The study objectives were to develop and objectively assess the therapeutic effect of a novel movement-based complementary and alternative medicine approach for children with an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). Design: A within-subject analysis comparing pre-to post-treatment scores on two standard measures of childhood behavioral problems was used. Settings and location: The intervention and data analysis occurred at a tertiary care, medical school teaching hospital. Subjects: Twenty-four (24) children aged 3-16 years with a diagnosis of an ASD comprised the study group. Intervention: The efficacy of an 8-week multimodal yoga, dance, and music therapy program based on the relaxation response (RR) was developed and examined. Outcome measures: The study outcome was measured using The Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) and the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist (ABC). Results: Robust changes were found on the BASC-2, primarily for 5-12-year-old children. Unexpectedly, the post-treatment scores on the Atypicality scale of the BASC-2, which measures some of the core features of autism, changed significantly ( p = 0.003). Conclusions: A movement-based, modified RR program, involving yoga and dance, showed efficacy in treating behavioral and some core features of autism, particularly for latency-age children.

A Chinese Mind-Body Exercise Improves Self-Control of Children with Autism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…For instance, Bahrami et al [31] reported a 42% reduction in stereotypic behavior in ASD children after 14 weeks of Kata techniques (a form of mind-body exercise) training compared to the no-exercise control group, which was sustained at one-month follow-up. Another study [37] also reported significantly reduced behavioral problems among 24 children with ASD after 8-weeks movement-based therapy (with yoga as one of the treatment components). A recent review article in Science [80] concluded that traditional martial arts (a form of mind-body exercise) improved executive control to a greater extent than standard physical education [36] or modern martial arts [81] for children/adolescents with executive function deficits.…”

Autism and Mind–Body Therapies: A Systematic Review

“…[7][8][9][10] Four studies confirmed an ASD diagnosis, but did not clearly specify how or by what measure. [11][12][13][14] One study did not specify how the ASD diagnosis was confirmed, but participants were recruited from a school for children with ASD. 15 Seven studies did not clearly report whether an ASD diagnosis was confirmed.…”

Building an Evidence Base in Complementary and Integrative Healthcare for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

“…For example, studies of mindfulness meditation may not be developmentally appropriate for young children with autism, but yoga may be more suitable and has been studied in a small uncontrolled pilot trial. 42 There have been pilot studies of meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction in adolescents, 43–45 but few if any studies on the developmental appropriateness of these mindfulness interventions in younger pediatric populations. In some situations, it may be possible to modify aspects of interventions to make them more developmentally appropriate.…”