Bones for Life® and Biosomatics® movement therapies are both off-shoots of Feldenkrais® movement reeducation. Very little research has been conducted on benefits of specifically performing Bones for Life® movement therapy, and none on Biosomatics® movement therapy. However, research has been conducted on the effectiveness of Feldenkrais® movement reeducation, and is summarized below. The one study on the Bones for Life® method found that bone mineral density (BMD) increased significantly in the forearm (distal radius) for 31 female participants, ages 28-69 years, who learned Bones for Life® three hours per week for four months. BMD is a diagnostic measurement for osteoporosis. A Sonometer was used to make the measurements. Prior to starting the program, BMD scores ranged from -3.70 to +1.40; after the program, scores ranged from -3.50 to +2.70 (1). (http://www.bonesforlife.com/185745/Study)
An article (http://www.achievingexcellence.com/about-research-on-the-feldenkrais-method.html) cites summaries of studies on conditions for which Feldenkrais® has been found to be helpful, as follows:
- Chronic Pain: 6 weeks of classes resulted in significant increase in mobility, lowered pain, less depression and anxiety, and greater ability to relax; these effects lasted one year.
- Stroke: Following a 6-week program, patients showed an 11% average increase in neurological function, 55.2% improvement in gait, and 35% enhancement in overall recovery.
- Balance: A study of older women showed improvement in the Burg Balance Scale, increased walking speed and movement time, quicker correction of balance, and reported increased confidence and strength.
- Injury: Lessons were shown to help patients avoid maintaining protective, maladaptive patterns to an injury during the recovery process.
- Fibromyalgia: Patients showed improved balance, posture, and gait, reduced pain, increased sleep, and reduced fatigue after 15 weeks of individual sessions and classes; results stayed for six months.
- Multiple Sclerosis: In one study, steadiness and comfort with daily movements, self-esteem and quality of life improved in patients who used sessions and lessons. In another study, a group did lessons only. Results showed significantly improved mCTSIB scores and improved balance confidence compared to controls.
- Low Back Pain: After 4 sessions, 76% of subjects with chronic low back pain improved to normal activity.
- Neck & Shoulder Pain: Thirty female employees took 6 weeks of classes. Results showed increased range of motion in neck flexion, significantly improved neck-shoulders index, and decreased neck-shoulder pain.
- Arthritis: Twenty-one subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis were tested after a series of lessons. Electromyographic equipment used during trunk flexion showed significant changes in muscle activity and perceived effort of task. Two years later, a large percentage had increased function, maintained higher levels of function, had less pain, and continued to use skills learned. A subject with Rheumatoid Arthritis participated in several sessions, and learned to rise from a chair without assistance from the upper extremities, using less kinetic energy. Walking speed increased and pain intensity decreased by 30%.
- Anxiety, Depression and Mood: Engagement in a single session reduced anxiety levels, with increased effects after 6-8 sessions. A study of 147 female general curriculum and physical education teachers taking a one-year enrichment program at a physical education college showed improved mood after lessons.
- Senior Movement: 31 older adults were studied using a prospective, repeated measures control group design. The SF-36 assessed health status – quality of life. Video motion analysis collected data on walking and on floor-to-stand transfer movement. Coordination of transfer movement, vitality, and mental health improved significantly.
- Eating Disorders: Preliminary research suggests that in patients with eating disorders, sessions improved self-confidence, increased contentment toward their health, and decreased sense of helplessness.
- Flexibility: A study of neck flexion in normal subjects found a significant increase in the amount of flexion after a single one-hour class, as well as significant positive changes in muscular activity in the trunk.
- Parkinson’s: Feldenkrais improved musculoskeletal flexibility, alignment and functional movement in 3 persons with early stage Parkinson’s Disease. One individual, who had not yet received medication for Parkinson’s disease, showed improvements in balance, gait, and functional movement. A second individual, who was receiving medication, also illustrated improvements of balance gait and functional movement.