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.