Therapeutic Yoga: Symptom Management for Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, affecting over 2.3 million people worldwide. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the age of disease onset is typically between 20 and 40 years, with a higher incidence in women. Individuals with MS experience a wide range of symptoms, including declining physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms (e.g., fatigue, imbalance, spasticity, chronic pain, cognitive impairment, bladder and bowel dysfunction, visual and speech impairments, depression, sensory disturbance, and mobility impairment). To date, both the cause of and cure for MS remain unknown. In recent years, more individuals with MS have been pursuing alternative methods of treatment to manage symptoms of the disease, including mind-body therapies such as yoga, meditation, breathing, and relaxation techniques.It has been suggested that the practice of yoga may be a safe and effective way of managing symptoms of MS. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to summarize the most relevant literature on exercise and mindbody modalities to treat MS symptoms and, more specifically, the benefits and potential role of yoga as an alternative treatment of symptom management for individuals with MS. The article also discusses future directions for research.

Personalized Yoga Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis: Effect on Symptom Management and Quality of Life

“…15 This uncertainty as to the effect of yoga on MS may be due to our lack of knowledge of the exact mechanism by which yoga affects physiology and functioning in MS patients. 16 In the present study, physical improvements we re reported and observed in breathing, pain, flexibility, balance, energy levels and stamina, digestion, sleep, and bladder control as the patients progressed during the yoga intervention. In support of this finding, yoga intervention has been beneficial in reducing fatigue 17 and improving QOL Heaviness and pain in calf muscles; discomfort in upper back, shoulders, and neck; constipation; low energy; mood swings; anger and irritability Pain in neck and low back; low energy levels and mood; dizziness when eyes are closed; depression; short-term memory loss; fear of falling; irritability and anger Neck pain; tightness in legs; overall stiffness; inability to sleep; poor appetite; urinary incontinence; anger Pain in neck, shoulders, and upper back; knee locking; twitching in left cheek; numbness in right thigh; ringing in ears; urinary incontinence; poor memory; low energy; anger and rage Fatigue; mid-back and elbow pain; confusion and poor memory Weakness in left leg; tingling sensation in abdomen; burning sensation in feet and palms; numbness in fingers, palms, toes, and soles of feet; restriction in right shoulder; "temper tantrums" (reported by patient) Pain in calf muscles, upper back, and neck; numbness in right arm; fatigue; light-headedness; imbalance; urinary incontinence; constipation; fear of falling; mood swings Urinary incontinence; anxiety; constipation; disturbed sleep and physical pain management.…”

Regular Mindful Yoga Practice as a Method to Improve Androgen Levels in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

“…Yoga practice has become increasingly popular as a complementary health approach, 53 and it has been reported to be useful in patients with a variety of conditions. [36][37][38][39][40] In line with osteopathic philosophy, yoga practice embraces the relationship between mind, body, and spirit, and produces measurable physiologic effects.…”

“…It has been used as a therapy for many different conditions, including hypertension, multiple sclerosis, asthma, low back pain, arthritis, and for pain and stress management; its therapeutic mechanism has been attributed to decreased sympathetic tone, cortisol, and stress levels. [36][37][38][39][40][41][42] While moderate aerobic exercise improves cardiometabolic and reproductive parameters in women with PCOS, a major more intense aerobic activity. In addition, yoga promotes mindfulness in the participant, including awareness of the body's posture and breathing.…”

The Effect of Chair Yoga on Biopsychosocial Changes in English- and Spanish-Speaking Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Lower-Extremity Osteoarthritis

“…It has also been demonstrated that exercise can reduce depression associated with pain, eventually improving quality of life (Herring, Puetz, O’Connor, & Dishman, 2012). In particular, older adults have perceived the movement-based mind-body exercise, including tai-chi (Waite-Jones, Hale, & Lee, 2013), yoga (Rogers & MacDonald, 2015), or Qi-gong (Chen, Hassett, Hou, Staller, & Lichtbroun, 2006), to be psychologically beneficial (Waite-Jones et al, 2013). One drawback the ability to participate in exercise declines with age; older adults who start exercise often drop out within 6 months, before receiving therapeutic benefits (Dishman, 1988).…”