Evaluating postural balance through biofeedback-enhanced yoga in android type obesity

This randomized controlled pilot study aim to evaluate whether real time visual biofeedback  improves postural balance in adults with android type obesity. Central obesity alters the center of mass and increases postural sway leading to a higher risk of falls and reduced functional independence. Falls in obese adults not only lead to injury and loss of independence but also impose considerable healthcare costs and diminish quality of life. Thirty android obese adults aged 30 to 50 years will be randomly allocated with (computer generated randomization) into two groups. The intervention group will perform selected standing yoga postures on a Balance Board with real time visual biofeedback while the parallel group will perform the same yoga protocol without biofeedback. Training will be conducted in six sessions over three weeks (twice weekly) with supervised sessions. Balance will be assessed using center of pressure sway measures derived from the balance board and functional balance will be evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale. Anthropometric measures related to central obesity will also be recorded. The study is expected to demonstrate greater reductions in postural sway (COP velocity/movement area) in group with biofeedback compared to the group without biofeedback. Thus reflecting enhanced sensory reweighting and motor strategy adaptation with larger gains in functional balance with higher Berg Balance Scale scores consistent with biofeedback. Also we expect an improved weight-distribution symmetry and better retention of balance gains at follow-up, indicating accelerated motor learning. The added benefit from biofeedback-enhanced yoga is that it can aid will in low-cost, community-deployable programs to prevent falls in individuals with android type obesity.