A mindful yoga intervention for children with severe asthma: A pilot study

Abstract Introduction Children with severe asthma may benefit from non-pharmacological approaches to symptom management, yet little is known regarding the impact of mind-body approaches such as mindful yoga in this population. This pilot study examined the tolerability, feasibility, acceptability and immediate effects of a mindful yoga intervention in children with severe asthma. Method Fifteen children ages 7–11 with severe asthma participated in a single mindful yoga session, followed by semi-structured interviews with the child and parent/guardian. Vital signs and pulmonary function tests were collected pre- and post-intervention. Results All children reported positive experiences and parents were generally supportive of their participation. One child experienced self-limited bronchoconstriction with asthma symptoms. There was no significant change in lung function or vital signs after the mindful yoga session. Discussion Our results warrant additional larger studies to evaluate the safety and benefits of mindful yoga in children with severe asthma.