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.

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.

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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.