Yoga as Therapy for People With Aphasia

Abstract

Purpose This viewpoint offers a perspective on the potential impact of an adapted yoga program for people with stroke-induced aphasia, with a call for additional work in this area. Conclusion Aphasia often results in decreased quality of life (QoL) from fewer social interactions, relationship strain between survivors and co-survivors, depression, and a multitude of other factors. We suggest a therapeutic yoga program for survivors and co-survivors could enhance several components of the dyad's lives that are frequently diminished as a result of aphasia, ultimately increasing QoL. In particular, we highlight the role of resilience and coping as essential tools on the rehabilitative journey in aphasia. After exploring yoga and other mind–body practices, we describe documented positive changes—including cognitive function, social integration, and QoL—following use of yoga in other chronic conditions. As people with communication deficits are typically excluded from these studies, further research is needed to establish whether these benefits generalize to people with aphasia.