Harnessing the benefits of yoga for myositis, muscle dystrophies, and other musculoskeletal disorders

Abstract

The recent global increase in popularity of home-based yoga, an ancient Indian technique practiced for thousands of years, has translated into its use as a complementary therapy for a multitude of ailments. This review aims to examine the published literature regarding the effects of yoga therapy on systemic chronic diseases; in particular on the inflammatory myopathies (IMs) and other muscle disorders.Despite the fact that the evidence base for yoga in inflammatory myositis is in its infancy, collateral results in other disorders such as muscular dystrophies are promising. A beneficial effect of yoga in chronic pain has been shown alongside an improvement in motor function and muscle strength. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with respiratory involvement may find improvement in lung function. Elderly patients may experience reduction in falls secondary to an improvement in balance while practicing long-term yoga therapy.Further benefits are improving disorders of mental health such as depression and anxiety. A reported improvement in overall quality of life further suggests its efficacy in reducing morbidity in patients with chronic diseases, who often suffer co-existent psychological comorbidities.

Mental health in paediatric and adult myositis-related diseases: current state of research, interventions, and future steps from the MIHRA Psychological Impact Scientific Working Group

“…(82). A systematic data review of venerable yogic practices in neuromuscular and other diseases extrapolated that yogic interventions appear to be safe and probably beneficial for chronic pain and mental health burden in those with myositis (83). Similarly, it is possible that singing, humming, and chanting may improve important myositis-related manifestations such as xerostomia, diaphragmatic weakness, pulmonary function, and even balance.…”

Yoga pose annotation and classification by using time-distributed convolutional neural network

“…The author has used the support vector machines (SVM) cascade classifier and observed different yogasana postures and obtained a recognition rate of 97%. Similarly, Saud et al [15] have addressed the yoga benefits in musculoskeletal disorders. Islam et al [16] discussed human joint detection by using a Kinect camera in real time for yoga posture recognition.…”

Role of Applied Physiology in Management of Muscular Dystrophy by Yoga and Meditation

“…Activities of daily living (ADL) have also been documented to improve. Manual muscle testing (MMT), records increased strength in distal, proximal and axial muscles following home-based yoga programme [25]. The reduction in catecholamine and angiotensin II levels, increased bioavailability of nitrous oxide go a long way to improving the circulation and perfusion of the muscles.…”

“…In DMD along with anti-inflammatory actions of yoga (lowered IL-6 and C-reactive protein). It had been noticed that fibrosis was also reduced [25].…”