Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a short-term intensive residential yoga program with physical exercise (control) on pain and spinal flexibility in subjects with chronic low-back pain (CLBP).

Design: This was a wait-list, randomized controlled study.

Setting: The study was conducted at a residential integrative health center in Bangalore, South India.

Subjects: Eighty (80) subjects (females, n = 37) with CLBP, who consented were randomly assigned to receive yoga or physical exercise if they satisfied the selection criteria.

Intervention: The intervention consisted of a 1-week intensive residential yoga program comprised of asanas (physical postures) designed for back pain, pranayamas (breathing practices), meditation, and didactic and interactive sessions on philosophical concepts of yoga. The control group practiced physical exercises under a trained physiatrist and also had didactic and interactive sessions on lifestyle change. Both of the groups were matched for time on intervention and attention.

Outcome measures: Pain-related outcomes were assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and by spinal flexibility, which was assessed using goniometer at pre and post intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA).

Results: Data conformed to a Gaussian distribution. There was a significant reduction in ODI scores in the yoga group compared to the control group (p = 0.01; effect size 1.264). Spinal flexibility measures improved significantly in both groups but the yoga group had greater improvement as compared to controls on spinal flexion (p = 0.008; effect size 0.146), spinal extension (p = 0.002; effect size 0.251), right lateral flexion (p = 0.059; effect size 0.006); and left lateral flexion (p = 0.006; effect size 0.171).

Conclusions: Seven (7) days of a residential intensive yoga-based lifestyle program reduced pain-related disability and improved spinal flexibility in patients with CLBP better than a physical exercise regimen.

Abstract

Introduction: Previously, outpatient Yoga programs for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) lasting several months have been found to reduce pain, analgesic requirement and disability, and improve spinal mobility. This study evaluated changes in pain, anxiety, depression and spinal mobility for CLBP patients on short-term, residential Yoga and physical exercise programs, including comprehensive yoga lifestyle modifications.

Methods: A seven day randomized control single blind active study in an residential Holistic Health Centre in Bangalore, India, assigned 80 patients (37 female, 43 male) with CLBP to yoga and physical exercise groups. The Yoga program consisted of specific asanas and pranayamas for back pain, meditation, yogic counselling, and lectures on yoga philosophy. The control group program included physical therapy exercises for back pain, and matching counselling and education sessions.

Results: Group×time interactions (p<0.05) and between group differences (p<0.05) were significant in all variables. Both groups' scores on the numerical rating scale for pain reduced significantly, 49% in Yoga (p<0.001, ES=1.62), 17.5% in controls (p=0.005, ES=0.67). State anxiety (STAI) reduced 20.4% (p<0.001, ES=0.72) and trait anxiety 16% (p<0.001, ES=1.09) in the yoga group. Depression (BDI) decreased in both groups, 47% in yoga (p<0.001, ES=0.96,) and 19.9% in controls (p<0.001, ES=0.59). Spinal mobility ('Sit and Reach' instrument) improved in both groups, 50%, in yoga (p<0.001, ES=2.99) and 34.6% in controls (p<0.001, ES=0.81).

Conclusion: Seven days intensive residential Yoga program reduces pain, anxiety, and depression, and improves spinal mobility in patients with CLBP more effectively than physiotherapy exercises.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Context: In two of the earlier Randomized Control Trials on yoga for chronic lower back pain (CLBP), 12 to 16 weeks of intervention were found effective in reducing pain and disability.

Aim: To study the efficacy of a residential short term intensive yoga program on quality of life in CLBP.

Materials and methods: About 80 patients with CLBP (females 37) registered for a week long treatment at SVYASA Holistic Health Centre in Bengaluru, India. They were randomized into two groups (40 each). The yoga group practiced a specific module for CLBP comprising of asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), meditation and lectures on yoga philosophy. The control group practiced physical therapy exercises for back pain. Perceived stress scale (PSS) was used to measure baseline stress levels. Outcome measures were WHOQOL Bref for quality of life and straight leg raising test (SLR) using a Goniometer.

Results: There were significant negative correlations (Pearson's, P<0.005, r>0.30) between baseline PSS with all four domains and the total score of WHOQOLBref. All the four domains' WHOQOLBref improved in the yoga group (repeated measures ANOVA P=0.001) with significant group*time interaction (P<0.05) and differences between groups (P<0.01). SLR increased in both groups (P=0.001) with higher increase in yoga (31.1 % right, 28.4 % left) than control (18.7% right, 21.5 % left) group with significant group*time interaction (SLR right leg P=0.044).

Conclusion: In CLBP, a negative correlation exists between stress and quality of life. Yoga increases quality of life and spinal flexibility better than physical therapy exercises.

Keywords: Chronic low back pain; flexibility; quality of life; stress; yoga.

Abstract

Introduction: 

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is two and a half times more prevalent in the working population than in nonworking population. The 1-year prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in working population ranges from 23% to 38%. However, the 1-year prevalence in computer professionals was found to be 31%–54%. Studies have demonstrated the vast mental and physiological health advantages associated with yoga.

Objective: 

We planned to investigate the effect of yoga and mindfulness meditation in computer users with CLBP.

Methods: 

Eighty computer users (42.6 ± 8.45 years of age; suffering from CLBP for 5.20 ± 3.01 years; 51 males and 29 females) were recruited from Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Subjects were randomized into two groups; yoga and mindfulness meditation/YM group (n = 40) and physical exercise/PE group (n = 40). YM group practiced an integrated module comprising yoga practices and mindfulness meditation, while PE group practiced physical exercises designed for LBP (1 h per day, 3 days per week for 16 weeks). Assessments were done at baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 16 weeks.

Results: 

Seventy-seven participants (39 in YM and 38 in PE) completed the study. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores decreased significantly, and the Sit and Reach Test (SRT) scores improved significantly in both groups after intervention (p < 0.001). Between-group analyses demonstrated that there was a significant difference in ODI scores (YM = 7.28 ± 5.68, PE = 15.53 ± 8.13, P < 0.001), NRS scores (YM = 1.00 ± 0.89, PE = 1.82 ± 0.73, P < 0.001), and SRT scores (YM = 26.41 ± 5.03, PE = 22.82 ± 4.96, P = 0.002) between the YM group and PE group at 16 weeks, favoring the YM group.

Conclusion: 

A 16-week yoga & mindfulness meditation program appeared to be effective in reducing pain and functional disability, and in improving spinal flexibility in computer users with CLBP.

Abstract

Background: 

Computer professionals are more prone to chronic low back pain (CLBP) as compared to the normal population. It has been reported that the 1-year prevalence of low back pain (LBP) was 23%38% in the normally active population, while it was 31%54% in computer users.

Objective: 

To investigate the effect of yoga and mindfulness meditation on the quality of life (QOL) of computer users with CLBP.

Materials and Methods: 

Eighty computer users (42.6 ± 8.45 years of age; suffering from CLBP since 5.20 ± 3.01 years; 51 males and 29 females) were recruited from Bengaluru, India. Participants were randomized into two groups: Yoga and mindfulness meditation/YM group (n = 40) and physical exercise/PE group (n = 40). The YM group practiced an integrated module comprising yoga postures and mindfulness meditation, and the PE group practiced PE designed for LBP. Both groups practiced 1 hour daily, 3 days a week for 16 weeks. WHO QOL-BREF and spinal flexibility (Straight Leg Raising [SLR]) were assessed at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks.

Results: 

Results of repeated measures-analysis of variance test showed that the scores on QOL physical health (diff = 12.43%, P < 0.001), psychological health (diff = 11.9%, P < 0.001), social relationships (diff = 15.66% P < 0.001), and environment (diff = 17.37% P < 0.001) were significantly higher in YM group as compared to PE group at the end of 16 weeks. Similarly, the scores on the SLR right leg (diff = 12.97%, P < 0.001) and SLR left leg score (diff = 11.71%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the YM group as compared to the PE group at the end of 16 weeks.

Conclusion: 

Yoga with mindfulness meditation is significantly more effective in improving QOL and spinal flexibility in computer users with CLBP as compared to PE designed for LBP.

Abstract

Background: Office workers who need to use a computer while maintaining a static position for prolonged periods have more chance of having low back pain (LBP).

Objective: The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of yoga on stress, anxiety, depression, and spinal mobility in computer users with chronic LBP (CLBP).

Materials and methods: In this randomized control trial, eighty computer users (42.6 ± 8.45 years of age; suffering from CLBP since 5.20 ± 3.01 years; 51 males and 29 females) who use a computer for their professional work, recruited from Bengaluru, India, were randomized into two groups: yoga group (n = 40) and physical exercise group (n = 40). The yoga group practiced an integrated module comprising yoga postures and mindfulness meditation, and the physical exercise group practiced physical exercise designed for LBP (1 h/day, 3 days/week for 16 weeks). Assessments of dial-type goniometer and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-42 were performed at baseline, after 8 weeks, and after 16 weeks.

Results: Stress, anxiety, and depression scores were significantly lower in the yoga group as compared to the physical exercise group at 16 weeks (P < 0.001), whereas spinal flexion (P < 0.001), spinal extension (P < 0.001), right lateral flexion (P = 0.001), and left lateral flexion (P = 0.007) scores were significantly higher in the yoga group as compared to the physical exercise group at 16 weeks.

Conclusion: Yoga is more effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression and improving spinal mobility in computer users with CLBP than physical exercise designed for LBP.

Keywords: Anxiety; back pain; depression; mindfulness; stress; yoga.

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