Acceptability of a Brain-Injury-Tailored Yoga and Meditation Program Among Female Patients with Concussion.

A survey of women in a social media support network for concussion found that 83% of respondents were interested in a brain-injury-tailored yoga and meditation program. Interest was driven by prior yoga experience, health and well-being benefits, and balance, healing, or mindfulness. Among the 12% not interested, reasons included physical disabilities, time constraints, and enrollment in similar programs. The findings suggest high acceptability of such complementary approaches among female patients with persistent postconcussion symptoms, who are especially vulnerable to prolonged recovery.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Although concussion symptoms often resolve within 4-6 weeks, for a minority of patients, persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS), such as headaches, fatigue, and mood disturbances, may continue for months or years following a head injury. Rehabilitation of this group-often female-is crucial for reducing health and gender disparities in concussion recovery. A recent report by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health showed that the use of complementary health approaches, such as yoga and meditation, has substantially increased in the last two decades. Little is known, however, about the acceptability of these approaches among female patients with concussion, who are most vulnerable to PPCS. This study evaluates the acceptability of a brain-injury-tailored yoga and meditation program for female patients with concussion. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of women in PINK Concussions, a social media support network for female patients with concussion. Along with demographic and concussion-related questions, participants were asked to elaborate on their interest/lack of interest. Data were analyzed subjectively using thematic analysis of open-text responses and objectively by text network analysis. Results: A total of 434 PINK Concussion members responded to the survey conducted from November 10 to 13, 2023, with 117 (27%) completing all questions. A majority (n = 97; 83%) expressed interest in the program, for reasons including prior yoga experience (n = 30), health/well-being benefits (n = 27), and balance/healing/mindfulness (n = 23). For participants who were not interested (n = 14; 12%), reasons included physical disabilities (n = 6), time constraints (n = 3), and enrollment in similar programs (n = 5). The text network analysis showed the central reason for participants' interest was "help," with connections to "exercise," "physical health," "mental health," "improving balance," and "feeling great." Conclusions: Most female patients with concussion in the PINK Concussion group were interested in a brain-injury-tailored yoga and meditation program, suggesting high acceptability for this group of patients with chronic concussion sequelae.