Yoga as a Rehabilitation Intervention for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors
The brain is the most essential organ of the human body, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can dramatically disrupt quality of life. Since 2014, approximately 150 Americans have died from TBIs daily, and over 2.4 million Americans live with different forms of TBI, many struggling to find normalcy and maintain a good quality of life following their injuries. Injuries range from concussions to severe TBIs, and since it is an invisible injury, survivors often find themselves isolated with diminishing quality of life (Krese et al., 2020). The following newspaper article and scholarly research article aim to answer the question, “Can yoga as a rehabilitation intervention improve the quality of life for TBI survivors?” (Edward, 2019; Krese et al., 2020). According to multiple studies and the Love Your Brain Foundation, yoga has proven to improve the quality of life for members of the TBI community (Krese et al., 2020).
The Love Your Brain Foundation (LYB) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit started by Kevin Pearce and his brother Adam in 2014 after Kevin sustained a nearly fatal TBI while training for the 2010 Winter Olympics (Edward, 2019). LYB provides free yoga for TBI survivors and their caregivers through a six-week program across the United States and Canada and is coming to Maryland (Edward, 2019). Unlike a broken limb, brain injury is an ongoing process that impacts the entire biological person and the fluctuations of the patient’s mind (Estes, 2020). Since TBI survivors often experience reduced engagement in leisure and social activities, LYB aims to provide a community fostering support and resilience for survivors and their caregivers (Edward, 2019). Edward’s article presents an interpretive analysis of how yoga impacts the quality of life and occurrence of post-traumatic recovery for people living with TBI. Participants in the interviews alluded to the significant value yoga added to the long post-injury recovery process.
Research shows that individuals who identify as TBI survivors utilize a variety of rehabilitation and coping strategies to deal with competing discourses and to achieve an improved quality of life post-injury (Krese et al., 2020). In this journal article, while it was relatively easy to identify the application of yoga as an alternative treatment plan, it was often challenging to find succinct summaries of findings, particularly regarding long-term management strategies. The study focused on improving the quality of life for people with TBI but shifted to a specific focus on sleep quality that was not mentioned in the abstract or introduction (Krese et al., 2020).
Longest is the person responsible for engaging LYB is a TBI survivor with 13 years of firsthand experience regarding the benefits of incorporating yoga into rehabilitation programming (Edward, 2019). Longest sustained a TBI and lived with its consequences for two years before being diagnosed and receiving treatment (Edward, 2019). They attribute the sustainability of their recovery to taking yoga classes at the YMCA following intensive rehabilitation and therapy at Sinai Hospital. Like Pearce, Longest has noticed the subtle changes in the body and mind following yoga practice, extending beyond the apparent physical benefits (Edward, 2019).
The differences between the articles subtly shape a reader’s opinion on how yoga is needed as part of TBI rehabilitation. If both perspectives were integrated into a single study or article, the message could reach a larger audience and maximize impact in improving awareness regarding TBI while enhancing the lives of current and future TBI survivors.
Both the newspaper article and the journal article demonstrate that “yoga is feasible, safe, and well-tolerated” for TBI survivors (Edward, 2019). Both sources highlight the unique barriers to healing faced by TBI survivors.
The journal research article aims to “compare the impacts of yoga-based physical therapy versus seated rest within the context of standard rehabilitation practice,” thus contributing to the literature on TBI for practitioners.
In contrast, the newspaper article aims to educate readers on the usefulness of the LYB yoga program to TBI community members living in Maryland. The newspaper article analyzes the benefits of the LYB program using interviews with neurologists and local participants. In contrast, the journal article’s arguments and findings are based on primary data collected from observations and self-reported data in an inpatient rehabilitation setting (Krese, 2020). The newspaper article more candidly describes how TBI impacts daily life for people of all ages, explaining how survivors often feel like they “don’t fit in” anymore. Krese et al. note in their research how TBI changes certain aspects of physical life but does not promote the importance of community and finding a place of one’s own after injury (2020).
For a work to be considered accurate, it must be precise, including quantitative data or qualitative measures to support its claims. This Baltimore Sun article begins by drawing on scientific data, numbers, statistics, and peer-reviewed perspectives to substantiate its claims before diving into personal stories to maintain reader interest. It is accessible for laypersons, giving them a knowledgeable perspective on how yoga influences TBI community members and their service providers.
The social science article by Krese et al. is more rigorous, relying on peer-reviewed research encompassing a broad scope of quantitative data, sample population, and self-reported interviews. The journal article is in-depth but lacks personal calls to action and may be less readable for non-social science readers. While not as rigorously researched, the news article includes valuable interviews with a long-term survivor, a neurologist, and a recent survivor studying for medical school. Both pieces introduce the obstacles faced by members of the TBI community and propose solutions for healing.
Multiple sources are available for learning about TBI, including blog posts, social media, newspaper articles, medical research journals, and social-behavioral science research journals. Each of these sources comes with varying degrees of authority and bias. Examining the author’s bias and creative license is crucial when reading a newspaper article. Authors of research journal articles should address biases in their literature review prior to conducting research and in their conclusions. Scholarly journal articles are often the most reliable sources for academic knowledge, particularly when they undergo peer review by multiple academic experts. While newspaper articles and researchers both seek to meet financial goals, a newspaper article aims to quickly sell an idea, story, or information to a broad audience. In contrast, relatively unbiased academic organizations support scholarly journal articles to expand the pool of knowledge for current and future readers.
A newspaper article is a great source for quick and detailed information about a hot topic important to the local community. News articles often emerge as stories unfold or come to life, while journal articles present tested theories or hypotheses over time and may not reflect the most up-to-date perspectives on a given topic. Each mode of communication contributes to the knowledge for the greater good of a community.
TAKEAWAYS
Research Findings:
The journal article discusses the application of yoga as an alternative treatment and the challenges in summarizing findings related to long-term management.
While the journal emphasizes physical aspects, the newspaper article addresses the emotional and social challenges faced by TBI survivors.
Importance of Diverse Sources:
Multiple sources are available for learning about TBI, each with varying levels of authority and bias.
Newspaper articles can quickly inform readers, while scholarly articles offer in-depth, peer-reviewed research, making both valuable for community awareness and understanding.
Conclusion:
Both sources collectively emphasize the need for community support and highlight yoga's importance as part of TBI rehabilitation.
Integrating both perspectives could enhance awareness and improve outcomes for TBI survivors.
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