There is a growing body of research to support the efficacy of the Feldenkrais
Method. The following represent some of the many studies that have been conducted
on the effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method.
Chronic Pain
Patients who had been experiencing chronic pain participated in a six week Awareness
Through Movement® (ATM) course. Results included significant increase in
mobility accompanied by significant decrease in pain both immediately following
the course, and in a one-year follow-up. Patients also reported less depression
and anxiety, and an improved ability to relax.
Dearman, D. and Shafarman, S. The Feldenkrais Method®
in the Treatment Awareness Through Movement of Chronic Pain: A Study
of Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness. American Journal of Pain Management, 1999;
9:22-27.
Phipps, A. & Lopez, Ron. A functional Outcome Study on the Use of Movement Re-Education
in Chronic Pain Management. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of Master of Physical Therapy, Forest Grove, Oregon. May, 1997.
Stroke
Prior to and following a 6-week Feldenkrais® program, stroke patients
who had chronic neurological deficits were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale,
improving an average of 11%. They also improved, on average, 55.2% in the Dynamic
Gait Index, and 35% in the Stroke Impact Recovery Scale. Findings demonstrate
that gains in functional mobility are possible for individuals with chronic stroke
using Feldenkrais movement therapy.
Effects of Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement®
on Balance in Adults With Chronic Neurological Deficits Following Stroke: A Preliminary
Study Glenna Batson, PT, MA.
Balance
A study with older women demonstrated improvement in the Burg Balance Scale as
well as improved walking speed, movement time, and quicker correction of balance.
Participants also reported greater confidence and strength.
Hall, S.E., Criddle, A., Ring, A., Bladen, C., Tapper, J.,
Yin, R., Cosgrove, A., Hu, Yu-Li. Study of the effects of various forms of exercise
on balance in older women. Unpublished Manuscript Healthway Starter Grant, File
#7672, Dept of Rehabilitation, Sir Charles Gardner Hospital, Nedlands, Western
Australia, 1999.
Injury
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration®
have been shown to help patients avoid developing protective, maladaptive patterns
to an injury. In other words, Feldenkrais can be instrumental in helping
patients form beneficial and adaptive patterns during recovery integrating total
body movement into the recovery process.
Chinn, J., Trujillo, D., Kegerreis, S., Worrell, T. Effect
of a Feldenkrais Intervention on Symptomatic Subjects Performing a Functional
Reach. Isokinetics and Exercise Science. 1994, 4(4): 131-136.
Fibromyalgia
Patients with Fibromyalgia moved more easily, efficiently, and with less effort
after learning to reorganize the biomechanics of their movements during 15 weeks
of Feldenkrais sessions and classes. In both immediately following, and
six months after completion of the class, improvements in balance, posture and
gait were reported. Also reported: reduced pain, increased sleep, and reduction
in fatigue.
Dean, J. R., Yuen, S. A. & Barrows, SA. “Effects of a Feldenkrais
Awareness Through Movement Sequence on Fibromyalgia Patients”.
Kendall, S. A. Ekselius, L. Gerdle, B., Soren, B., Bengtsson, A. Feldenkrais
intervention in fibromyalgia patients: a pilot study. J. Musculoskeletal Pain.
9(4):25-35, 2001.
Multiple Sclerosis
In one study, steadiness and comfort with daily movements, self-esteem and overall
quality of life improved in patients with Multiple Sclerosis who used Feldenkrais
bodywork and/or participated in Awareness Through Movement sessions.
In another study, a group of patients with Multiple Sclerosis participated in
an Awareness Through Movement group. The results demonstrated significantly
improved mCTSIB scores and improved balance confidence compared to controls. There
was a marked improvement in all other measures in the Awareness Through Movement
group compared to controls. Results: This type of motor learning intervention
can be effective in improving a variety of physical and psychological parameters
related to balance and postural control in patients with MS.
Bost, H., Burges, S., Russell, R., Ruttinger, H. and Schlafke,
U. Feldstudie zur wiiksamkeit der Feldenkrais-Method bei MS - Betroffenen.
Deutche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft. Saarbrucken, German, 1994.
Stephens, J., DuShuttle, D., Hatcher, C., Shmunes, J., Slaninka, C. Use of Awareness
Through Movement improves balance and balance confidence in people with multiple
sclerosis: a randomized controlled study. Neurology Report 25(2):39-49, 2001.
Low Back Pain
After four Feldenkrais sessions, 76% of participants with chronic low
back pain improved to normal activity. All had tried a variety of other therapies
without success and all had experienced discomfort, restriction and stiffness
prior to these sessions.
Lake, Bernard. Photoanalysis of Standing Posture in Controls
and Low Back Pain: Effects of Kinesthetic Processing (Feldenkrais Method)
in Posture and Gait: Control Mechanisms VII. eds. M Woollocott and F Horak, U
of Oregon Press, 1992, pp 400- 403.
Neck & Shoulder Pain
Thirty normal female employees took part in a neck and shoulder pain study, participating
in six weeks of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes. Results
included increased range of motion in a neck flexion task, significant positive
changes in the neck-shoulders-index, as well as decreases in complaints from neck
and shoulders.
Lundblad, I., Elert, J., Gerdle, B. Randomized controlled
trial of physiotherapy and Feldenkrais interventions in female workers
with neck-shoulder complaints. J. Occupat Rehab 9(3): 179-94, 1999.
Ruth, S., Kegerreis, S. Facilitating Cervical Flexion Using a Feldenkrais
Method: Awareness Through Movement. J Sports Phys Ther.16(1): 25-29, 1992.
Arthritis
A subject with Rheumatoid Arthritis participated in several Feldenkrais Awareness
Through Movement sessions. As a result, the patient learned to rise from
a chair without assistance from the upper extremities, and to use less kinetic
energy. Walking speed increased and there was a 30% decrease in pain intensity.
Findings: Awareness Through Movement lessons improve functional movements
in spite of long term disability.
Twenty-one subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis were tested after a series of Awareness
Through Movement lessons. The results: significant change in both the muscle
activity and the perceived effort of the task (using electromyographic equipment
during trunk flexion.) Two years post-treatment, a large percentage of subjects
had increased function, continued to maintain higher levels of function, continued
to use the skills they learned and felt that the Feldenkrais helped them
with their pain problem.
Narula, M., Jackson, O., Kulig, K. The Effects of Six Week
of Feldenkrais Method on Selected Functional Parameters in a Subject
with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Physical Therapy 72: (suppl.) S86,1992.
Narula, M. Effect of Six Weeks of Awareness Through Movement Lessons
on Selected Functional Movements Parameters in Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis
(A Pilot Study Using Single Subject Case Study Design). Thesis submitted in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Exercise
Science, Oakland University, Rochester, MI: 1993.
Parkinson’s
This study demonstrates that the disabilities of Parkinson’s Disease can be lessened
with early Feldenkrais intervention as gains are made in musculoskeletal
flexibility, alignment, and functional movement. Early intervention is important
and can delay the need for pharmacological intervention, which, because of long-term
use, is associated with potentially unwanted and toxic side effects. The study
illustrates improvements in balance, gait, and functional movement made by an
individual who was not yet receiving medication for Parkinson’s disease. A second
case study illustrates improvements of balance, gait, and functional movement
made by an individual who was already receiving medication for the disease. These
case studies illustrate the dramatic improvements that Feldenkrais intervention
can achieve in the patient with Parkinson’s disease.
Shenkman, M., Donovan, J., Tsubota, J., Kluss, M., Stebbins,
P., Butler, R. Management of Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease: Rationale and
Case Studies. Physical Therapy 69: 944-955, 1989.
Wendell, L. L. Some effects of the Feldenkrais Method on Parkinson’s
symptoms and function. Unpublished case study by L. L. Wendell client and Marilyn
Johnson, Feldenkrais Practitioner. June 2000.
Anxiety, Depression and Mood
Early research suggests that participation in a single Awareness Through Movement
session may reduce anxiety levels, with increased effects after six to eight sessions.
A study involving 147 female general curriculum and physical education teachers
enrolled in a one-year enrichment program at a physical education college revealed
improved mood after Feldenkrais. Feldenkrais seems to ease depression
and anxiety and improve self-esteem in multiple sclerosis patients.
Kerr, G. A., Kotynia, F., Kolt, G. Feldenkrais Awareness
Through Movement and state anxiety. J Bodywork Mov Ther 2002;6(2):102-107.
Kolt, G. S., McConville, J.C. The effects of Feldenkrais Awareness Through
Movement program on state anxiety. J Bodywork Mov Ther 2000;4(3):216-220.
Netz, Y., Lidor, R. Mood Alterations in mindful versus aerobic exercise modes.
J Psychol 2003;137(5):405-419.
Senior Movement
A group of 31 older adults was studied using a prospective, repeated measures
control group design. The SF-36 was used to assess health status — quality of
life. Video motion analysis was used to collect data on walking and on a floor-to-stand
transfer movement. Coordination of the transfer movement improved significantly
in the Feldenkrais group. Vitality and mental health scores also improved
significantly in this group. Feldenkrais has been shown to be an effective
method for improving coordination, mobility, economy of movement and quality of
life in older adults.
James Stephens, Christopher Pendergast, Beth Ann Roller,
Robert Scott Weiskittel. Learning to Improve Mobility and Quality of Life in a
Well Elderly Population: The Benefits of Awareness Through Movement.
IFF Academy Feldenkrais Research Journal.
Eating Disorders
Preliminary research suggests that, in patients with eating disorders, Awareness
Through Movement sessions improved self-confidence and increased contentment
with regard to problematic zones of their body. Patients experienced increased
sense of contentment in regard to their health, accompanied by decreased sense
of helplessness.
Laumer, U., Bauer, M., Fichter, M., Milz, H. (in German.
Title translation: Therapeutic effects of the Feldenkrais Method Awareness
Through Movement in Patients with Eating Disorders). Psychother. Psychosom
Med Psychol 1997, May; 47(5):170-80.
Flexibility
Studies identified increased flexibility through the use of Awareness Through
Movement classes. In a study of neck flexion in normal subjects, a significant
increase in the amount of flexion after a single one-hour class was shown, as
well as significant positive changes in muscular activity in the trunk.
Ruth, S., Kegerreis, S. Facilitating Cervical Flexion Using
Feldenkrais Method: Awareness Through Movement. JOSPT Vol 16 No 1: July
1992.
Brown, E., Kegerreis. Electromyographic Activity of Trunk Musculature During a
Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Lesson. Isokinetics and Exercise
Science Vol 1 No 4, 1991. |
