Background
Musculoskeletal conditions are one of the most common causes of chronic non-malignant pain in adults.1 Continuous pain significantly impacts patients physiologically and psychologically, lowering their quality of life as well as imposing a financial burden.2
We examined the efficacy of yoga therapy on patients with mild to moderate chronic musculoskeletal pain.3,4
Methods
This was a randomised wait list-controlled trial conducted between between June 2013 and April 2015 at multiple centres. Eligible patients were aged 18–60 years; clinically diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, joint/muscle pain, or chronic non-malignant pain with mild to moderate intensity. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in box scale-11 pain scores. Secondary outcome included sleep quality and quality of life. Patients’ satisfaction was reported through a scale of 0–10 at the end of the intervention.
Results
A total of 98 patients completed the analysis. The mean box scale-11 had statistically significant improvement from baseline to 8 weeks, which was maintained until the end of the study week 16 (p<0.0001). Sleep quality improved to ‘good’ in 67% of patients. By week 8, the mean levels of functioning for all quality of life domains improved (p<0.001), which continued to improve by the end of week 16 (p<0.0001).
Conclusions
Yoga therapy provides effective pain relief as a 16-week treatment for patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. More studies are needed to examine the long-term efficacy of yoga therapy.
References
- 1.Croft P, Blyth FM, van der Windt D. Chronic pain as a topic for epidemiology and public health. In: Croft P, Blyth FM, van der Windt D. (eds), Chronic pain epidemiology: from aetiology to public health. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010:3–8. [Google Scholar]
- 2.Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G. et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthr Cartilage 2008;16:137–62. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Morone NE, Greco CM. Mind-body interventions for chronic pain in older adults: a structured review. Pain Med 2007;8:359–75. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Kolasinski SL, Garfinkel M, Tsai AG. et al. Iyengar yoga for treating symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knees: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2005;11:689–93. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]