Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility (i.e., acceptability) of a yoga intervention implemented within a preschool with typically and atypically developing children.
Participants: 29 children between the ages of three and five years that are currently attending the Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College Preschool.

Methods: Children participated in eight ~15-20-minute yoga sessions consisting of an opening circle, breathing, mindful movement, and a closing circle with relaxation time. Parents completed weekly homework assignments and surveys about the homework. Parents and teachers both completed daily behavior logs to track their child’s number of outbursts, mention of yoga, and use of yoga. Additionally, parents completed a post-intervention survey to determine overall satisfaction.

Results: The Preschool Behavior Questionnaire paired t-test results did not demonstrate any significant differences in pre-intervention (M=13.00, SD±7.55) and post-intervention (M=11.95, SD±6.92) scores, t(17)=0.94, p=0.36. There were no visible correlations between outbursts and use of yoga as reported by parents, but the use of yoga increased with the number of outbursts as reported by parents. Overall, parents felt the sessions had a positive effect on their child’s behavior and felt their children enjoyed the sessions.

Conclusion: Implementing classroom-based yoga programs could be an acceptable, realistic option to manage and prevent negative behaviors in preschool children.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability of a survey for MPN patients about: a) how patients with MPN cancer perceive information relayed from their healthcare providers in regards to integrative medicine and b) how patients use integrative medicine modalities to cope with their symptom burden (i.e. fatigue, headaches, abdominal discomfort). Additionally, we assessed what MPN patients thought about the survey (i.e., questions asked, how it could be modified, acceptability). This paper presents the patient's assessment of the survey. This information will be used to finalize the survey and distribute nationally to address integrative medicine and symptom burden in MPN patients. Methods: The survey was taken by 366, English speaking patients previously diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, or myelofibrosis (primary and post polycythemia vera/post essential thrombocythemia) and ages 18 or older. The survey had XX questions and took approximately 20 minutes to complete. Acceptability questions were qualitatively analyzed and used to construct recurring themes and modifications for the final MPN Integrative Survey. Results: The following themes were recurrent in the acceptability responses; MPN symptom burden comments, views on healthcare, comments about demographics, and requests for survey modifications. When asked which Integrative Therapies have been used to treat symptom burden, participants most commonly named guidance therapy (i.e. counseling, prayer), physiotherapy ,and supplements administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, and topically. Conclusions: These results suggest this survey is an acceptable and feasible tool for MPN patients to assess how patients with MPN cancer perceive information relayed from their healthcare providers in regards to integrative medicine, and how patients use integrative medicine modalities to cope with their symptom burden. These findings also provide a better understanding of what facilitates and prevents MPN patients from using Integrative Medicine to treat MPN symptoms, as well as suggests useful survey modifications to inform the final MPN Integrative Survey.

Objective: To investigate current HCP stillbirth aftercare practices and use findings to inform suggestions for stillbirth aftercare guidelines. Study Design: Participants (n=18) were HCPs (MDs, DOs, or NPs) in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology or Maternal Fetal Medicine. Focus groups and surveys were conducted. A phenomenological approach was used to explore and understand current stillbirth aftercare practices and thoughts about protocols for stillbirth aftercare. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographics of participants and prevalence of references to stillbirth aftercare topics. Results: Sixteen obstetric HCPs (medical doctors and nurse practitioners in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology and/or maternal and fetal medicine) participated in Focus Groups and two obstetric HCPs alternatively completed surveys. Current stillbirth aftercare practices and perceptions related to stillbirth aftercare protocols and guidelines were clustered around the following themes: recommendations made to mothers after stillbirth, subsequent pregnancy care, perceptions and use of protocols for stillbirth aftercare, and responsibilities of nurses and nurse practitioners after stillbirth. Conclusion: Findings were used to develop a list of stillbirth aftercare practice suggestions and may be used to help design future research related to HCPs' stillbirth aftercare practices and the need for training on existing guidelines and development of further protocols or guidelines.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility (e.g., practicality and demand) of a 4-week series of yoga classes in a homeless shelter. Participants: Five current residents of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) and the Chief of Programming at CASS. Methods: Each shelter resident participated in a 5-minute interview answering questions regarding the demand of implementing a yoga program at CASS. The Chief of Programming participated in a 30-minute interview answering questions regarding the practicality of implementing a 4-week series yoga program at the homeless shelter. Results: CASS residents reported a strong desire to attend a yoga program. The Chief of Programming at CASS reported that implementing a yoga program would conflict with the overall goal of the shelter. Conclusion: Implementing a 4-week series yoga program is not feasible at CASS although there is a strong demand for a yoga program among the homeless population of the Phoenix metro area.

Recent research has confirmed and revealed many physical and mental benefits of yoga. The practice of yoga has spread throughout the western world, where it is widely used for the purpose of exercise and fitness. Due to its rise in popularity, there is a need for research regarding the energy expenditure required for different types of yoga. The majority of the literature cites yoga as being an effective exercise for light intensity activity, but there are not as many studies attempting to determine if there are postures and sequences that can meet the requirements for moderate physical activity. In addition, there is a need to validate mobile devices with which to measure energy expenditure (EE) that are compatible with the dynamic movements that occur during yoga. The purpose of this study was to measure energy expenditure of twenty-two yoga practitioners of varying experience during a 30-minute Vinyasa flow yoga practice and from this data collection determine: if an ashtanga-based vinyasa yoga class meets the criteria for moderate intensity physical activity, the reliability between the Actigraph and Oxycon Mobile and the validity of an Actigraph GT3X device worn on the hip in estimating energy expenditure for ashtanga-based vinyasa flow yoga. The Actigraph GT3X and the Oxycon mobile were used to measure energy expenditure. Mean values for energy expenditure recorded by the Oxycon and Actigraph were 3.19 ± 0.42 METs and 1.16 ± 0.23 METs respectively, exhibiting a significant difference in data collection. There was no correlation between the values recorded by the two devices, indicating that the Actigraph was not consistent with the Oxycon Mobile (previously validated for measurement of EE). Results of this study indicate that this Vinyasa flow yoga sequence does satisfy the criteria for moderate intensity physical activity as defined by ACSM with an average EE of 3.19 ± 0.42 METs, and that the Actigraph GT3X is not an accurate device for measurement of EE for yoga.

Objective: Fewer than 50% of female college freshmen meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. Innovative approaches that help college women increase their PA are warranted. The study purpose was to pilot test a magazine-based discussion group for improving PA, self-worth, and nutrition behaviors in freshmen college females. Method: Thirty-seven women (18-20 years) were randomized to intervention (n=17) and control (n=20) groups. The intervention group participated in an 8-week magazine-based discussion group adapted from a previously tested social cognitive theory based intervention, Fit Minded. Excerpts from a popular women's health magazine were discussed during weekly meetings incorporating PA, self-worth and nutrition education. The control group did not attend meetings, but received the magazines. Outcomes and feasibility measures included: self-reported PA, general self-worth, knowledge self-worth, self-efficacy, social support, and daily fruits, vegetables, junk food, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Results: Twelve participants from the intervention group attended more than 75% of meetings. A time effect was observed for PA (p=0.001) and family social support (p=0.002). Time x group effects were observed for PA (p=0.001), general self-worth (p=0.04), knowledge self-worth (p=0.03), and daily sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (p=0.03), with the intervention group reporting greater increases in PA, general self-worth and knowledge self-worth and greater decreases in daily sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Although not significant, the intervention group demonstrated positive trends in self-efficacy, friend social support and fruit and veggie consumption as compared to the control group. Conclusion: A magazine-based discussion group may provide a promising platform to improve PA, self-worth and nutrition behaviors in female college freshmen.

This study examined the effect of an 8-week exercise intervention on functional exercise capacity in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Forty participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: assisted cycling (ACT) (n = 17) where participants experienced at least a 35% increase in their voluntary cycling speed through the use of a motor, voluntary cycling (VC) (n = 15) where participants cycled at a self-selected cadence, and no cycling (NC) (n = 8) where participants did not participate in any cycling intervention. In each cycling intervention, each participant completed three, 30 minute cycling sessions per week for a total of eight weeks. The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was administered prior to and after the 8-week intervention in pre-test and post-test assessment sessions, respectively. Our hypothesis was somewhat supported in that functional exercise capacity improved after ACT as measured by an increase in total number of laps walked, total distance walked, and average walking speed during the 6MWT, when compared to VC or NC.

Introduction/Purpose: the purpose of this study was to explore the perception of care after stillbirth and the use of physical activity and/or mindful approaches (e.g., yoga) to cope with grief in women of racial/ethnic minority who have experienced stillbirth.
Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative research study. Participants were African American, Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian women, between the ages of 26 and 38, who have experienced stillbirth within the past 3 years. Participants completed a 20-30 minute phone interview.
Results: Fourteen women participated in the study (M age = 31.02 ± 5.97 years; M time since stillbirth = 1.47 ± 0.94 years). Women’s perceptions about physical activity and mindfulness to cope with grief were coded into the following major themes: perception of health care after stillbirth (satisfaction with the level of care provided), recommendations about inter-conception health care from physician (relating to mental, emotional, and physical health), grief (comfort with communicating with the physician), coping mechanisms, perception of the relationship between physical activity and mood, barriers to participating in physical activity (social and behavioral), pre-pregnancy physical activity, and perception of mindful approach (e.g., yoga) as a coping mechanism.
Conclusion: This was the first study to explore perceptions of health care and the use of physical activity and/or mindful approaches (e.g., yoga) to cope with grief after stillbirth in women of racial/ethnic minority. Findings from this study may help inform health care professionals alter their care practices and introduce physical activity and mindfulness based approaches as coping mechanisms to mothers of stillborn babies.

Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients suffer from fatigue and a reduced overall quality of life, both of which are not resolved with current pharmacologic therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week online-streamed yoga intervention on fatigue and QoL in MPN patients as compared to a wait-list control group as well as to determine the feasibility of remotely collecting blood and saliva samples in a national sample. MPN patients were asked to complete 60 min/week of online yoga for 12 weeks. MPN fatigue and QoL were assessed online with single-item questions taken from the MPN SAF (fatigue and QoL) and NIH PROMIS (QoL) at baseline, week 7, and week 12. The practicality of the blood and saliva measures were defined as >70% completion rate at both baseline and week 12. Fidelity of the intervention (i.e., weekly yoga participation) was assessed via both self-report (i.e., daily log) and objective measurement (i.e., Clicky). Of the 62 MPN patients that enrolled in the study, 48 completed the intervention with 27 participating in the yoga group and 21 participating in the wait-list control group. Weekly yoga participation averaged ~41 min/week as measured objectively, whereas self-report yoga participation averaged ~56 min/week. The blood draw was determined to be practical with a 92.6% completion rate at baseline and a 70.4% completion rate at week 12. There were no significant differences from baseline to week 12 in MPN SAF fatigue (ES=0.18; p=0.724) or MPN SAF QoL (ES=-0.53; p=0.19), however, NIH PROMIS QoL was significantly improved from baseline to week 12 (ES=0.7; p=0.031) when compared to the control group. This study builds upon the findings from a prior feasibility study in demonstrating the feasibility of online yoga as well as its preliminary effects of improving total symptom burden, fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance in MPN patients. Given the effects of yoga demonstrated both in the feasibility study and the current pilot study, a future randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is warranted in order to further investigate the effectiveness of online yoga for MPN patient symptom burden and QoL.

Background: In the USA, stillbirth (in utero fetal death ≥20 weeks gestation) is a major public health issue. Women who experience stillbirth, compared to women with live birth, have a nearly sevenfold increased risk of a positive screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a fourfold increased risk of depressive symptoms. Because the majority of women who have experienced the death of their baby become pregnant within 12–18 months and the lack of intervention studies conducted within this population, novel approaches targeting physical and mental health, specific to the needs of this population, are critical. Evidence suggests that yoga is efficacious, safe, acceptable, and cost-effective for improving mental health in a variety of populations, including pregnant and postpartum women. To date, there are no known studies examining online-streaming yoga as a strategy to help mothers cope with PTSD symptoms after stillbirth.

Methods: The present study is a two-phase randomized controlled trial. Phase 1 will involve (1) an iterative design process to develop the online yoga prescription for phase 2 and (2) qualitative interviews to identify cultural barriers to recruitment in non-Caucasian women (i.e., predominately Hispanic and/or African American) who have experienced stillbirth (N = 5). Phase 2 is a three-group randomized feasibility trial with assessments at baseline, and at 12 and 20 weeks post-intervention. Ninety women who have experienced a stillbirth within 6 weeks to 24 months will be randomized into one of the following three arms for 12 weeks: (1) intervention low dose (LD) = 60 min/week online-streaming yoga (n = 30), (2) intervention moderate dose (MD) = 150 min/week online-streaming yoga (n = 30), or (3) stretch and tone control (STC) group = 60 min/week of stretching/toning exercises (n = 30).

Discussion: This study will explore the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week, home-based, online-streamed yoga intervention, with varying doses among mothers after a stillbirth. If feasible, the findings from this study will inform a full-scale trial to determine the effectiveness of home-based online-streamed yoga to improve PTSD. Long-term, health care providers could use online yoga as a non-pharmaceutical, inexpensive resource for stillbirth aftercare.