Background and purpose: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of the central nervous system\r\nthat results from a brain injury during the early stages of development. Common deficits related to CP include\r\ndecreased balance, muscle strength, and flexibility which in turn can lead to functional impairments. The practice and\r\nart of yoga has been shown to improve flexibility and standing balance, as well as, increased body awareness and\r\nquality of movement in normally developing children and those with special needs. The purpose of this case report\r\nwas to describe the effects of a yoga program in addition to a comprehensive physical therapy program for nine-yearold\r\nfemale with diplegic CP on the subject�s strength, balance, flexibility, and functional mobility.\r\nCase description: The patient was a nine-year-old female with diplegic CP who presented to physical therapy\r\nwith deficits in balance, flexibility, and strength as well as functional limitations such as difficulty dressing herself,\r\ndifficulty ascending and descending stairs, and difficulty riding a bike.\r\nInterventions: In addition to a comprehensive physical therapy program, the patient participated in a six week\r\nchildren�s yoga program to address these deficits.\r\nOutcomes: The patient demonstrated improvement in balance, flexibility, strength, and functional mobility\r\nfollowing the six week yoga program.\r\nDiscussion: A six week yoga program for children may result in improved strength, balance, flexibility, and\r\nfunctional mobility in children with diplegic CP.
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