TY - JOUR AU - Adams, Em V. AU - Van Puymbroeck, Marieke AU - Torphy, Heather S. AU - Helsel, Brian C. AU - Kemper, Karen A. AU - Dye, Cheryl AU - Schmid, Arlene A. PY - 2020 DA - 2020/01/03 TI - A Novel Approach to Fall Risk Reduction: Combining Education and Therapeutic Yoga JO - OBM Geriatrics SP - 097 VL - 04 IS - 01 AB - Falls have negative consequences for older adults, but falls can be reduced through interventions that target the reduction of fall risk factors. Cognitive behavioral education programs and therapeutic yoga are two interventions that have independently been used as a means to reduce the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to determine if adding therapeutic yoga following an education intervention improved well known fall risk factors. Potential participants were recruited through a senior center for a 12-week fall prevention program that consisted of four weeks of an evidence-informed educational program and eight weeks of therapeutic yoga. Physical performance measures and psychosocial constructs were tested at baseline (T1), between the education intervention and yoga (T2), and after yoga (T3). Physical performance measures included the chair stand test to assess lower-body strength, the Timed Up-and-Go to assess agility and dynamic balance, and the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale to assess static and dynamic balance. Psychosocial surveys included the University of Illinois at Chicago Fear of Falling to assess fear of falling, the Leisure Constraints Scale to assess constraints to physical activity, and the Activities Balance Confidence Scale, to assess perceived balance ability. A repeated measures test was used to determine if any significant changes in fall risk factors occurred. There were significant improvements in balance confidence after education, in agility and dynamic balance after yoga, and in fear of falling across the full 12-week intervention. Adding therapeutic yoga following education improved more outcomes than education alone and this combined intervention warrants further exploration as a fall risk reduction strategy. SN - 2638-1311 UR - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001097 DO - 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2001097 ID - Adams2020 ER -