How music therapy benefits the autistic brain
While the benefits of music therapy are well known, more in-depth research explores how music benefits children with autism.
20 October, 2020
Credit: insta_photos on Adobe Stock
- Music is used in many different therapies. Used in conjunction with traditional therapies, music therapy benefits us in a variety of different ways.
- According to a 2004 study, music intervention used with children and teens with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) can improve their social behaviors, increase focus and attention, and reduce their anxiety and improve body awareness.
- Various music therapy activities and tools can be used to help improve the quality of life of children with autism.
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<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUzNzc5OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxMDY0MTUzMn0.ed4-xR8w92FVC7yISdZQ29BhohLYXQR-DwrdIZlCBG8/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C100%2C0%2C2&height=700" id="41ba3" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="823652340b1cb7a9b1a681be4a9da2ca" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="little boy holding ukulele" />
Music has quickly become a tool used in various therapies because it can stimulate both hemispheres of the brain.
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<p>Music has quickly become a tool used in various therapies because it can stimulate both hemispheres of our brain rather than just one. Theoretically, a therapist could use a song or instrument to support cognitive activity that helps children with autism build self-awareness and improve their relationships with others.</p><p><strong>Music encourages communicative and social behaviors.</strong></p><p>According to <a href="https://nursejournal.org/community/the-benefits-of-music-therapy-for-autistic-children/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20reasons%20that,and%20improve%20relationships%20with%20others" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nurse Journal</a>, "...if we look closely at the way that a band works, it is obvious that the instruments must all interact with one another, but the player only needs to interact with the instrument at first."</p><p>This can be particularly difficult for children dealing with autism, but by introducing an instrument to their therapy, they may first bond with the object itself and then open up to interacting with others through the use of their instrument. </p><p><strong>Music also encourages a better understanding of words and actions. </strong></p><p>For children with autism, listening to a song about brushing their teeth could help them learn how to do this activity. Autism can create barriers for children in social settings, but small groups of children listening to music together may help the child feel comfortable singing or expressing themselves in front of others. <a href="https://nursejournal.org/community/the-benefits-of-music-therapy-for-autistic-children/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20reasons%20that,and%20improve%20relationships%20with%20others" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">According to research</a>, dancing exercises in songs also help stimulate the sensory systems, allowing the children to enhance their fine motor skills. </p><p><strong>The positive impact of music goes beyond social interactions, helping children develop better motor skills and body awareness.</strong></p><p>According to a 2004 study published in the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15307805/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Journal of Music Therapy</a>, music intervention used with children and teens with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) can improve their social behaviors, increase focus and attention, increase communication attempts (vocalizations/verbalizations/gestures), reduce their anxiety, and improve body awareness. <a href="https://stm.sciencemag.org/content/10/466/eaav6056" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A more recent 2018 study</a> showed similar results. </p>How music therapy works
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDUzNzgxOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1MTczMDE1MX0.LAR9CriMqe0ABrn_PO6sIC0NnwQIEgC2PMdGO9EKqbc/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C52%2C0%2C52&height=700" id="31f1c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="44f2d092d894f167590c075494c31c33" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="woman playing music with child" />"All people, regardless of pathology, illness, disability, or trauma all have the ability to make music."
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<p>Music is used in many different therapies. Used in conjunction with traditional therapies, music therapy benefits us in a variety of different ways.</p><p><strong>According to <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/music-therapy-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Positive Psychology</a>, some of the major health benefits of music therapy include: </strong></p><ul><li>Reduces anxiety and physical symptoms of stress </li><li>Helps to manage Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease </li><li>Reduces depression and other symptoms (in the elderly population) </li><li>Reduces symptoms of psychological disorders </li><li>Improves self-expression and communication </li></ul><p><strong>The Nordoff-Robbins approach to music therapy. </strong></p><p>This approach to music therapy interventions was developed through the 1950s-1970s by Paul Nordoff (an American composer and pianist) and Clive Robins (a teacher of children with special needs). <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/music-therapy-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">According to Positive Psychology</a>, this is an approach designed to harness every person's potential for engagement through active, communicative, and expressive music-making. </p><p>This approach emphasizes the importance of music-making in developing skills, a sense of self, and a capacity for social interactions. Nordoff and Robins both believed that all people, regardless of pathology, illness, disability, or trauma all have the ability to make music. Due to Robins' history with teaching children, this specific approach is well known for its work with children and adults who have learning disabilities or difficulties. </p><p><strong>Relaxation music therapy.</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/music-as-a-health-and-relaxation-aid-3145191" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Research</a> has proven music aids in muscle relaxation. This can enable you to easily release some of the tension in your body, and when you do this, your mind also relaxes. While this is particularly useful for adults, it can also be beneficial for children. Music can be used as stress relief when a child with autism begins to feel overwhelmed in a new situation. <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/music-therapy-activities-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Positive Psychology</a> also explains that music therapy for children can also aid in offering a rhythmic structure for relaxation and breathing. </p><p><strong>Music therapy for children.</strong></p><p>What does music therapy look like for young children? Music therapy will vary based on each individual child's needs and abilities. For some, it can mean learning to play a musical instrument and for others, it can be singing or learning new activities through songs. <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/music-therapy-activities-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Various music therapy activities and tools</a> can be used (discussed and decided upon by both parents and therapists) to help improve the quality of life of children with autism. </p>
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Harvard study suggests avoiding TV and daytime naps to avoid depression
The goal of this large-scale study was to provide actionable information on how to avoid depression or decrease depressive symptoms.
27 August, 2020
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- Depression is a very common mental disorder, with more than 264 million people struggling with this issue worldwide. According to WHO, depression is a leading cause of disability.
- Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors.
- A new large-scale Harvard Medical School study suggests daytime napping and frequent television-watching may be negatively contributing to depression.
<p>Depression is a common mental disorder, with more than 264 million people (of all ages) who struggle with this issue.</p><p><strong>There are several different types of depression, with the two most common being: </strong></p><ol class="ee-ol"><li>Recurrent depressive disorder</li><li>Bipolar affective disorder</li></ol><p>Depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It results from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. While there are several effective treatments for depression (including antidepressant medications), there are also lifestyle changes you can make to prevent or lessen the impact of depressive symptoms.</p><ul class="ee-ul"></ul>
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzU4NTE3MS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MDM0NjgyOH0.UtDpBYRv3ZM33ue3xwulT6rXBUtNs1BlWi6IO-cbjZQ/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C52%2C0%2C52&height=700" id="cef68" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c145e97f15258a5c989146fabdf22725" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="man napping on couch while watching television" />
This large-scale, two-stage approach study scanned a wide range of modifiable factors that could be associated with the risk of developing depression...
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<p>According to a large-scale (over 100,000 participants) study out of <a href="https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19111158" target="_blank">Harvard Medical School</a>, there are many ways you can lessen the impact of depression. The study focused on the lifestyle factors that you can easily modify if you suffer from depression.</p><p>The researchers took a two-stage approach to this study. The first stage drew on a database of over 100,000 participants in the UK Biobank to systematically scan a wide range of modifiable factors that could be associated with the risk of developing depression. These modifiable factors included things like social interaction, media use, sleeping patterns, diet, physical activity, and environmental exposures. </p><p>The second stage of this study was to narrow down the field to a smaller set of promising and potentially causal targets for depression. Throughout this two-step process, they were able to determine certain behaviors that can directly influence depression. </p><p><strong>Confiding in and socializing with others could lessen depression symptoms. </strong></p><p>Lead author Jordan Smoller, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School explains to <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90541202/harvard-researchers-discover-the-easy-behavioral-trick-to-avoiding-depression" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Fast Company</a>: "Far and away, the most prominent of these factors was frequency of confiding in others, but also visits with family and friends, all of which highlights the important protective effect of social connection and social cohesion."</p><p>This is further backed up by previous research done on the health benefits of socializing. According to <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-mild-cognitive-impairment/201606/the-health-benefits-socializing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Psychology Today</a>, interacting with others boosts feelings of well-being and decreases feelings of depression. This helpful article lists several ways you can slowly incorporate more socialization into your life, with things like Skype/Facetime calls with family and friends, taking a new class, or volunteering at a charity organization. </p><p><strong>Your television habits may be negatively impacting your depression. </strong></p><p>The study suggests certain behaviors (such as watching television) could be associated with depression, but it isn't the first of it's kind to make that connection.</p><p>In fact, there have been several studies (including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28879072/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this one</a> from 2017), that have suggested there is a link between how much television you watch and your mental health. Most of these studies conclude that the more television you watch, the worse your mental health can be. </p><p><strong>Daytime napping also negatively impacts depression. </strong></p><p>While it's common knowledge that a healthy sleeping pattern can positively impact your mental and physical health, did you know that having a nap during the daytime can impact depression? However, more research is needed to determine exactly why. The study suggests that both daytime napping and excessive television consumption could be proxies for sedentary behavior which would then impact your mental health. </p><p><strong>The goal of this study was to provide actionable information on preventing and avoiding depression symptoms. </strong></p><p>The research on depression and various mental health conditions has been ramping up and along with it, there will hopefully be more answers to these questions. As for this study, researchers explain that they wanted to leave readers with actionable advice on daily habits that could be contributing to their depressive symptoms. </p><p>"Depression takes an enormous toll on individuals, families, and society, yet we still know very little about how to prevent it," said Smoller <a href="https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/mgh-sis081420.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in an interview</a>. "We hope this work will motivate further efforts to develop actionable strategies for preventing depression."</p>
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Does porn cause erectile dysfunction...or not?
While this has been a popular debate, the evidence suggests there isn't a strong link between pornography use and erectile dysfunction (ED).
30 July, 2020
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- According to UW Health, around 5 percent of men that are 40 years old have complete erectile dysfunction. That number increases to about 15 percent by age 70.
- While there are many things that can cause or contribute to ED (such as high blood pressure, smoking, the use of drugs or alcohol, depression, and anxiety), there has been wide debate over the impacts of pornography use.
- Several studies outlined in this article look at the supposed link between ED and pornography use.
<p>Erectile dysfunction (commonly referred to as ED) is the inability to get (or maintain) a full erection during normal sexual activity. This can occur sporadically or it can be a long-term issue. While ED can occur at any age, it is more common in men that are older as they are more likely to have health conditions that require medication, which can interfere with erectile function. </p><p><a href="https://www.uwhealth.org/urology/erectile-dysfunction-ed/20537#:~:text=About%205%20percent%20of%20men,of%20men%20in%20their%2060s)." target="_blank">According to UW Health</a>, around 5 percent of men that are 40 years old have complete erectile dysfunction, with that number increasing to about 15 percent of men by the age of 70. Mild to moderate ED impacts approximately 10 percent of men per decade of life (for example, 50 percent of men in their 50s, 60 percent of men in their 60s, etc.). </p><p>While anything from stress, to low self-esteem, to a physical injury can cause ED, there are some more specific causes that have been accounted for by the <a href="https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/erectile-dysfunction(ed)" target="_blank">Urology Care Foundation</a>: </p><ul class="ee-ul"><li>Having high blood pressure</li><li>Having high blood sugar (diabetes) </li><li>Having high cholesterol </li><li>Smoking</li><li>Using drugs or drinking too much alcohol</li><li>Being obese</li><li>Lacking exercise </li><li>Depression</li><li>Anxiety</li><li>Stress</li></ul><p>However, there is one specific "cause" of ED that has been widely debated for years - the use of pornography.</p><ul class="ee-ul"></ul>
Can pornography really cause erectile dysfunction?
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzUyMjIxMS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyODc3NDE0MH0.YIoVjpvc1V2X6viFQ0q62Bfr37dzWZGDb_JdfzpOlv8/img.jpg?width=1245&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C104&height=700" id="aeea4" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cbb4798850bfefec88f62c3538741ba0" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="naked man hiding behind a pillow" />Is there really any evidence proving porn causes ED?
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<p>Over the years, there have been multiple studies with conflicting results when it comes to this controversial question.</p><p><strong>A 2012 study links porn and erectile dysfunction in men ages 20-40 but says it is only "one piece of the puzzle."</strong></p><p>According to a <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex/news/20170512/study-sees-link-between-porn-and-sexual-dysfunction#1" target="_blank">HealthDay News study</a>, porn-addicted men are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction and are less likely to be satisfied with sexual intercourse. This was determined based on a survey of 312 men between the ages of 20-40. Of men surveyed, 3.4 percent said they preferred masturbating to pornography over sexual intercourse, but the researchers found a statistical relationship between porn addiction and sexual dysfunction.</p><p>According to lead researcher Dr. Matthew Christman (staff urologist with the Naval Medical Center in San Diego), the rates of organic causes of ED in this age cohort are extremely low, so the increase in erectile dysfunction needs to be explained. "We believe that pornography may be one piece to that puzzle. Our data does not suggest it is the only explanation, however."</p><p><strong>A 2016 study has also been cited as proof that pornography use causes ED, however the study itself explains that more research is needed to prove this theory.</strong> </p><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5039517/#B9-behavsci-06-00017" target="_blank">According to this study</a>, 1 in 4 participants who sought help for new-onset ED were younger than 40, which was highly unusual. The conclusion of this study was that traditional factors that once explained sexual difficulties in men appear insufficient to account for the sharp rise in sexual dysfunctions and low sexual desire in these men."Both the literature and our clinical reports underscore the need for extensive investigation of Internet pornography's potential effects on users, ideally by having subjects remove the variable of internet pornography in order to demonstrate potential effects of behavioral modification," the authors wrote.</p><p><strong>An Italian study suggests men could suffer from "sexual anorexia" after pornography use. </strong></p><p>A survey of 28,000 users suggests many Italian males started an "excessive consumption" of porn sites as early as 14 years of age. The study uses the term "sexual anorexia," which is referred to in this case as a pathological loss of appetite for romantic-sexual interactions. </p><p>This particular study has been cited in multiple articles that claim ED is directly linked to pornography use. However, the study, listed in ANSA, outlines "daily use" for people in their early-mid 20s, and how individuals <em>may </em>become "inured to even the most violent images" in porn. </p><p>"It starts with lower reactions to porn sites, then there is a general drop in libido and in the end it becomes impossible to get an erection," <a href="https://www.ansa.it/web/notizie/rubriche/english/2011/02/24/visualizza_new.html_1583160579.html" target="_blank">explains Carlo Foresta</a>, head of the Italian Society of Andrology and Sexual Medicine (SIAMS). </p><p><strong>A 2019 study that analyzed porn watching and ED risk suggested there isn't likely to be a link. </strong></p><p><a href="https://www.seksuologen-vlaanderen.be/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Grubbs-Gola-2019-J-SEX-MED-no-causal-link-pornography-and-ED-2.pdf" target="_blank">According to this study</a>, which sampled 877 American men between the ages of 18-60, porn-watching and ED were not likely to be linked. While it was true that some porn-watching men in the study did report ED, researchers found "very little evidence that mere pornography use is associated with changes in erection function."</p><p><strong>While porn may have some impact on ED, that impact isn't always negative.</strong></p><p>"ED is a biopsychosocial phenomenon, meaning there are many factors that can contribute to it," Christene Lorenzo, a therapist specializing in sexual health and relationships, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/experts-debunk-new-survey-claiming-watching-adult-videos-causes-ed#What-sexual-health-experts-think" target="_blank">explains to HealthLine</a>. </p><p>There are many possible physiological, psychological, and relationship factors that impact ED that most surveys arguing the impacts of pornography of erectile function don't take into account. <span></span></p><p>Additionally, while porn-induced erectile dysfunction is possible, porn may also actually help with ED in some cases. Erectile dysfunction is a complex health issue that has both physical and mental health components, according to <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317117" target="_blank">Medical News Today</a>. </p><p>"A <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sm2.58" target="_blank" style="">2015 study</a> found that men who reported more time spent viewing pornography had greater sexual responsiveness to a partner in a laboratory setting. This suggests that pornography might help prime the brain or body for sex, potentially improving intercourse with a partner." </p>
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Yoga may ease symptoms of depression, according to new research
According to the analysis, the more yoga sessions a person did each week, the less they struggled with depressive symptoms.
22 May, 2020
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- Depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting over 340 million people.
- According to a new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, yoga sessions may be able to ease depressive symptoms in people with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
- Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing control techniques are all things that have been proven effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Traditional yoga practices typically include a combination of these things and therefore may actually have more of a positive impact.
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Yoga can be used as a form of exercise and self-help
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzMwOTQwMy9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY2MDg5MTU4OX0.N1dyH7Y9xMPDdX9Ck4tCC92GvQaqMwTCZ6qHnXeKjzw/img.jpg?width=980" id="47146" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4a2f331ab10df4a53b2ef9863d3f13e5" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="woman doing yoga self help depression disability" />Depressive disorders are the leading cause of disability worldwide.
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<p>Globally, mental disorders such as the ones highlighted throughout this article <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215036615005052" target="_blank">are responsible for up to 32%</a> of disability-adjusted life years (which is described as a year of 'healthy' life lost). Depressive disorders are <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/John_Greden/publication/11750034_The_Burden_of_Recurrent_Depression_Causes_Consequences_and_Future_Prospects/links/5a8c29e20f7e9b1a95575e5f/The-Burden-of-Recurrent-Depression-Causes-Consequences-and-Future-Prospects.pdf" target="_blank">the leading cause</a> of disability worldwide, affecting over 340 million people. </p><p>With COVID-19 lockdowns preventing people from accessing their regular workout routines, many are beginning to look for alternatives - and this is where yoga can help, according to new research. While typical treatments are still effective for those who are able to experience them, there may be another way to combat symptoms of depression. </p><p>According to a new <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2020/04/05/bjsports-2019-101242" target="_blank">study</a> in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, yoga sessions may be able to ease depressive symptoms in people with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.</p><p><em> </em>To assess whether physically engaging yoga practices were able to alleviate depressive symptoms in people with a diagnosed mental disorder, 19 studies were included in a large-scale systematic review, and 13 additional studies were included in a meta-analysis review for this experiment.</p>Jacinta Brinsley, a doctoral candidate at the University of South Australia (and lead on the study) explains:<em> "Exercise has always been a great strategy for people struggling with these feelings, as it boosts both mood and health." </em>How can yoga ease depression symptoms?
<img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yMzMwOTM5OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1ODM2OTkzMn0.Mcm8Vtzcp7yNrCfWGgYBShqCp1LtU03XjBARaSNdVrI/img.jpg?width=980" id="6eb0e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="420938b6a75f7a69b20a0b4c5484ba10" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" alt="group yoga in yoga classroom men and women doing yoga" />Study shows the more yoga you do, the less depressive symptoms you may feel.
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<p>Within the 1712 individuals across these 32 studies, disorders of depression, post-traumatic stress, schizophrenia, anxiety, alcohol dependence, and bipolar were present.</p><p>Participants did 1-2 yoga sessions per week which varied between 20 to 90 minutes long. According to Brinsley,<em> "This is any kind of yoga where 'asana' (the postures and movements) are at the main focus." </em>Brinsley also explained that most yoga classes found online or in gyms or studios in Western society would fit these criteria. </p><p>These yoga sessions were completed weekly for about 2.5 months across all studies reviewed in this project. The results found through Brinsley's team analysis were that yoga moderately eased depressive symptoms compared with other self-help treatments (or lack of treatment) across the mental health spectrum. </p><p>The analysis proves that some conditions seemed to benefit more than others, with the highest success being among individuals who were diagnosed with depressive disorders. Yoga was less effective for those with schizophrenia and those struggling with alcohol use disorders. There was no positive impact listed for those who struggled with depression that stemmed from PTSD. </p><p>According to the analysis, the more yoga sessions a person did each week, the less they struggled with depressive symptoms and the better they felt.</p><p><strong>Different mechanisms work for us to improve our physical and mental health as we exercise.</strong></p><p>Exercise has been widely known for its physical and mental health benefits, with increasing blood circulation to the brain (especially to areas like the amygdala and hippocampus), which both play roles in controlling our motivation, moods, and responses. </p><p>One of the mechanisms that work for us, bettering our physical and mental health when we exercise is the release of endorphins. Another important mechanism that helps is the body's central stress response system (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), along with the ability for yoga (or other kinds of exercise) to improve sleep quality. </p><p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20350028/?dopt=Abstract" target="_blank">Mindfulness</a>, meditation, and breathing control techniques are all things that <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25881019/?dopt=Abstract" target="_blank">have been proven</a> effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Traditional yoga practices typically include a combination of these things and therefore may actually have more of a positive impact beyond mindfulness, breathing exercises, or exercise used individually.</p><p><strong>Connecting the body to the mind through yoga practices.</strong></p><p>One of the most helpful things when dealing with mental health conditions is awareness and proactivity. Understanding the problem and working to find a solution. Yoga practices often teach that the body, mind, and spirit are all connected. When you do work in one area, it impacts your whole system.</p><p>Laurie Hyland Robertson, who co-authored the book "<em>Understanding Yoga Therapy</em>", explains:<em> "We can expect that leg exercises, especially when you approach it in a mindful and purposeful way, can not only affect your quadriceps, but also your emotional state, your body's physiology, and even your mental outlook." </em></p><p><strong>Yoga can be treated as any treatment plan - individualized for each patient. </strong></p><p>Robertson also explains that yoga is an extremely unique treatment plan that offers something for everyone, as <em>"the results of this analysis underscore the importance of working with a professional who can tailor yoga practices to the individual, adapting the care plan as needed." </em></p><div class="rm-shortcode amazon-assets-widget" data-rm-shortcode-id="a013d8f138e211d9f0d8b36baf9961a2" contenteditable="false">
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'I hope he doesn't feel too lonely' — COVID-19 hits people with intellectual disabilities hard
Prior to COVID-19, 45% of people with intellectual disabilities reported feeling lonely.
29 April, 2020
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images
My brother was supposed to move into his first "independent" home in mid-March. In his late 20s, and a person with an intellectual disability, he had finally gathered up the courage and the will to move out of our family home and live in a group home.
<p>
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, my brother's move is now delayed indefinitely, and his world remains mostly his bedroom. He can't go to his part-time job, the library, or to church.
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</p><p>
My brother and many others with intellectual disabilities face the additional burden of increased loneliness during COVID-19. While many people are experiencing isolation, anxiety and loneliness during this challenging time, we know that prior to COVID-19,
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29441708" target="_blank">45% of people with intellectual disabilities reported feeling lonely</a> (that's compared to only <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359916/" target="_blank">10.5% of the general population</a>). The <a href="https://www.economist.com/international/2020/04/04/how-will-humans-by-nature-social-animals-fare-when-isolated" target="_blank">increased pressures living in quarantine</a> can result in challenges to mental health, sleep disruptions and mood swings.
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We know that
<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/loneliness-has-same-risk-as-smoking-for-heart-disease" target="_blank">loneliness is correlated with serious health risks </a>such as heart disease, weakened immune systems and stroke. For people with intellectual disabilities who had already long experienced loneliness and social ostracization, what significant impacts might this have on their mental and physical health? <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/04/covid-19-prevents-people-mourning-lonely-deaths-surge-200407051334527.html" target="_blank">Many COVID-19 patients die alone</a>. For people with intellectual disabilities already experiencing severe loneliness, this fact seems particularly cruel.
</p><p>
People with intellectual disabilities often
<a href="https://calmatters.org/health/coronavirus/2020/04/california-coronavirus-developmentally-disabled-covid-autism-social-services-safety-net/" target="_blank">utilize resources such as home health aides</a>, day programmes, drop-in centres, family respite services and group homes. For health and safety reasons, many of these services are now unavailable or closed, increasing the responsibility of family members, affecting the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewpulrang/2020/03/19/updates-on-coronavirus-and-the-disabled-community/#486be504187a" target="_blank">routine of people with intellectual disabilities and significantly impacting their independence</a>. My brother is not able to go to his state-funded part-time job, removing his interaction with others outside of our immediate family and taking away the sense of purpose he felt by doing work.</p>
<p>These COVID-19-related service changes also reveal the complex interdependencies with families, caregivers and staff that most people with intellectual disabilities depend on in their day-to-day lives. In China, <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3048208/left-home-six-days-disabled-chinese-boy-dies-after-carer-dad-and" target="_blank">a family made headlines when a teenager with cerebral palsy died</a> in Wuhan after his father and brother, diagnosed with coronavirus, were quarantined in a treatment facility and unable to care for him.</p><p>Some people with intellectual disabilities are not able to quarantine alone or stay with their families due to their enhanced medical or behavioural needs. Remaining in group homes or <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/groups-at-higher-risk.html" target="_blank">similar long-term care facilities can allow people with intellectual disabilities access to the care they need</a>, but may put them at a much greater risk of infection. For people with intellectual disabilities who live independently or semi-independently but rely on home health aides, they and their families <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/11/coronavirus-ill-disabled-people" target="_blank">weigh the risk of exposing themselves to infection or not receiving the daily life supports they need</a>.</p><p>In addition to all of the health and safety guidelines we all must decipher and follow, people with intellectual disabilities face increased challenges when it comes to staying safe during COVID-19. My brother and many like him have had their daily routine disrupted completely, a challenge for many people with intellectual disabilities. Understanding the rapidly changing information about COVID-19 or updates to public health guidance can be puzzling, and people with intellectual disabilities may struggle to communicate without non-verbal cues.</p>
<p>In Saskatoon, Canada, <a href="https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/advocates-say-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-left-behind-in-covid-19-response/" target="_blank">some people with intellectual disabilities were so confused about the public health guidance to social distance that they went without groceries or other necessities</a>. It is unlikely that my brother really understands the importance of washing his hands or remembers how to do so correctly, even after seeing a video or reading a detailed pamphlet.</p><p>Organizations that support and advocate on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities are working hard to continue to provide services and resources, even amid reduced revenue and logistical challenges. <a href="https://www.inclusion-europe.eu/easy-to-read-information-about-coronavirus/" target="_blank">Inclusion Europe has produced an easy-to-read instructional guide about coronavirus</a>, designed for people with intellectual disabilities, available in several languages. The UN <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/03/COVID-19_CommunityEngagement_130320.pdf" target="_blank">has produced resources about how to include marginalized and vulnerable people</a>, including those with intellectual disabilities, in risk communication and community engagement. The International Disability Alliance has issued <a href="http://www.internationaldisabilityalliance.org/sites/default/files/ida_recommendations_for_disability-inclusive_covid19_response_final.pdf" target="_blank">specific recommendations for a disability-inclusive COVID-19 response</a>.<br></p><p>People with intellectual disabilities face the prospect of navigating a healthcare system that is rationing care. During a time of resource scarcity, like the one many countries are experiencing during COVID-19, there simply aren't enough resources for every patient that needs them. When this occurs, <a href="https://www.vox.com/coronavirus-covid19/2020/3/31/21199721/coronavirus-covid-19-hospitals-triage-rationing-italy-new-york" target="_blank">medical professionals need to decide which patients receive these resources, </a>thus rationing out the care that is available.</p><p>In Italy, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/who-gets-hospital-bed/607807/" target="_blank">there are many stories of hospitals too overwhelmed with patients</a> to ventilate every person who needs it – medical professionals are forced to make heartbreaking choices about who receives care.</p>
<p>In the United States, the disability community, including the <a href="https://www.aapd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Response-Package.pdf" target="_blank">American Association of People With Disabilities</a>, has advocated strongly against <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/04/people-disabilities-worry-they-wont-get-treatment/609355/" target="_blank">guidance in disaster preparedness plans such as those released by states</a> like Washington, Kansas, Tennessee and Alabama that recommend <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/us/coronavirus-washington-triage-disabled-handicapped.html" target="_blank">end-of-life decisions that could disadvantage people with disabilities</a>, including some that do not recommend providing ventilators to those with "severe mental retardation". Disability advocates assert that these policies directly impact civil rights. In response, the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/28/us/coronavirus-disabilities-rationing-ventilators-triage.html" target="_blank">director of the federal health department's civil rights office has begun investigations</a>, and some of these states, including Washington and Kansas, are in the process of updating their guidelines to ensure they do not implicitly or explicitly condone discrimination.</p><p>Still, the fear and uncertainty associated with rationing of care is deeply disturbing to people with intellectual disabilities, who are worried that medical professionals, forced to make quick decisions and without a full understanding of their capacity and medical history, might prevent them from receiving medical resources.</p><p>People with disabilities and their advocates rightly point out that <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/04/people-disabilities-worry-they-wont-get-treatment/609355/" target="_blank">doctors may make assumptions about people with disabilities</a> based on bias. These fears are supported by <a href="https://www.thehastingscenter.org/confronting-disability-discrimination-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank">research that ableism in medicine does exist</a>. People with intellectual disabilities and their family members remember unethical medical research done on people with intellectual disabilities in the name of science, like those experiments done on unwilling participants at <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/08/nyregion/coronavirus-disabilities-group-homes.html" target="_blank">Willowbrook State School in New York</a>. People with intellectual disabilities are still <a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2011/11/10/sterilization-women-and-girls-disabilities" target="_blank">subject to forced sterilization</a> around the world.</p><p>For now, I am grateful that my brother doesn't seem to understand all the fuss around COVID-19 and I'm relieved that he's stuck at home. I hope that he doesn't feel too lonely. When I think of the inevitable time when we are allowed to return to our community, I wonder if my brother will follow hygiene guidelines. Will he stay away from people who are coughing? Will he tell us if he has a fever? For now, if he has to go to the hospital, I have to hope that his life is considered as valuable as someone without a disability.</p><p>Reprinted with permission of the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/covid19-coronavirus-intellectual-disabilities-loneliness/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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