Yoga for managing knee osteoarthritis in older women: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in older women that is associated with pain and disabilities. Although yoga is recommended as an exercise intervention to manage arthritis, there is limited evidence documenting its effectiveness, with little known about its long term benefits. This study’s aims were to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a Hatha yoga exercise program in managing OA-related symptoms in older women with knee OA.MethodsEligible participants (N = 36; mean age 72 years) were randomly assigned to 8-week yoga program involving group and home-based sessions or wait-list control. The yoga intervention program was developed by a group of yoga experts (N = 5). The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score that measures knee OA pain, stiffness, and function at 8 weeks. The secondary outcomes, physical function of the lower extremities, body mass index (BMI), quality of sleep (QOS), and quality of life (QOL), were measured using weight, height, the short physical performance battery (SPPB), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Cantril Self-Anchoring Ladder, and the SF12v2 Health Survey. Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks, and 20 weeks.ResultsThe recruitment target was met, with study retention at 95%. Based on ANCOVAs, participants in the treatment group exhibited significantly greater improvement in WOMAC pain (adjusted means [SE]) (8.3 [.67], 5.8 [.67]; p = .01), stiffness (4.7 [.28], 3.4 [.28]; p = .002) and SPPB (repeated chair stands) (2.0 [.23], 2.8 [.23]; p = .03) at 8 weeks. Significant treatment and time effects were seen in WOMAC pain (7.0 [.46], 5.4 [.54]; p = .03), function (24.5 [1.8], 19.9 [1.6]; p = .01) and total scores (35.4 [2.3], 28.6 [2.1]; p = .01) from 4 to 20 weeks. Sleep disturbance was improved but the PSQI total score declined significantly at 20 weeks. Changes in BMI and QOL were not significant. No yoga related adverse events were observed.ConclusionsA weekly yoga program with home practice is feasible, acceptable, and safe for older women with knee OA, and shows therapeutic benefits.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01832155

Managing knee osteoarthritis with yoga or aerobic/strengthening exercise programs in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial

“…Data from a recent pilot study [36] indicated an overall SD of 16.5 for the total WOMAC and a correlation between time points of 0.6. The sample size of 30 per group was calculated to have 80% power to detect a difference in the change (slope) of 35% over time (change of 11.3 on the WOMAC total score) with Type I error set to 0.05 and using a repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for baseline values.…”

Yoga research review

“…The authors concluded that Hatha yoga practice is better than therapeutic exercise on all of these variables for patients with knee osteoarthritis. In another randomized controlled study on knee osteoarthritis in older women, the participants were randomly assigned to an eight week yoga program involving group and home sessions or to a waitlist control group [84]. The yoga group outperformed the waitlist control group on reduction in pain, stiffness, and sleep disturbances by the end of 20 weeks of treatment.…”

Integrative Health Practices Used in Individuals Diagnosed With Osteoarthritis

“…Yapılan çalışmalarda, diz OA'da konvansiyonel tedavi ile birlikte uygulanan yoganın ağrıyı azalttığı, sürekli kaygı durumu üzerinde etkili olduğu, fonksiyonel düzeyi arttırdığı, günlük aktiviteler, spor, boş zaman faaliyetleri ve yaşam kalitesini yükselttiği belirtilmiştir [33][34][35][36]. Yapılan bir meta-analizde yoganın ağrı ve sakatlık için yararlı bir yaklaşım olduğu gösterilmiştir [37].…”

“…Yapılan bir meta-analizde yoganın ağrı ve sakatlık için yararlı bir yaklaşım olduğu gösterilmiştir [37]. Yoga diz OA'lı bireylerin durumunu iyileştirmek için medikal tedaviye ek olarak uygulanabilecek güvenilir yöntemlerden biridir [34,36].…”