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The Feasibility of a Chair Yoga Intervention to Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing for Adults with Learning Disabilities: A Pilot Study

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Title: The Feasibility of a Chair Yoga Intervention to Improve Mental Health and Wellbeing for Adults with Learning Disabilities: A Pilot Study
Language: English
Authors: Dale Metcalfe, Alice Gibson-Fisher, Toni J. Southern, Chris Jackson
Source: British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 2026 54(2):276-284.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Physical Activities, Metacognition, Adults, Learning Disabilities, Program Effectiveness, Mental Health, Well Being, Foreign Countries, Intellectual Disability, Life Satisfaction
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Satisfaction With Life Scale
DOI: 10.1111/bld.70035
ISSN: 1354-4187
1468-3156
Abstract: Background: Yoga has been shown to have physical benefits for people with learning disabilities. It is unclear whether the mental health and wellbeing benefits of yoga found in other populations are apparent in people with learning disabilities. This study was a pilot. Method: The study comprised three stages. In the first stage, focus groups took place to understand how classes should be run. In the second stage, 10 adults with learning disabilities attended chair yoga classes for 6 weeks, completing quantitative questionnaires. Lastly, a focus group was held to discuss the classes. Findings: Researchers developed a better understanding of what accessibility means in a yoga context and developed a protocol based on this. There are many feasibility outcomes around practical considerations for larger scale research in the future. The focus groups highlighted that the atmosphere of the environment, where the yoga took place, was important and that people wished to continue with yoga. Other benefits of yoga were discussed and could be explored further in future research. Conclusions: The findings indicated that yoga is an acceptable and accessible form of intervention. This research provides a grounding for larger scale work. The findings, both quantitative and qualitative, were limited by low participant numbers but suggest that there may be some benefits for the mental health of this group. How these findings can be applied to future research is discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506029
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22British+Journal+of+Learning+Disabilities%22"><i>British Journal of Learning Disabilities</i></searchLink>. 2026 54(2):276-284.
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Background: Yoga has been shown to have physical benefits for people with learning disabilities. It is unclear whether the mental health and wellbeing benefits of yoga found in other populations are apparent in people with learning disabilities. This study was a pilot. Method: The study comprised three stages. In the first stage, focus groups took place to understand how classes should be run. In the second stage, 10 adults with learning disabilities attended chair yoga classes for 6 weeks, completing quantitative questionnaires. Lastly, a focus group was held to discuss the classes. Findings: Researchers developed a better understanding of what accessibility means in a yoga context and developed a protocol based on this. There are many feasibility outcomes around practical considerations for larger scale research in the future. The focus groups highlighted that the atmosphere of the environment, where the yoga took place, was important and that people wished to continue with yoga. Other benefits of yoga were discussed and could be explored further in future research. Conclusions: The findings indicated that yoga is an acceptable and accessible form of intervention. This research provides a grounding for larger scale work. The findings, both quantitative and qualitative, were limited by low participant numbers but suggest that there may be some benefits for the mental health of this group. How these findings can be applied to future research is discussed.
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      – Text: English
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