Yoga vs Physical Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Results of Randomized Controlled Trial and the Training Protocol

Abstract

Background Yoga originated in the territory of modern India more than 3,000 years ago uses techniques for working with the musculoskeletal system, cardiorespiratory system, and attention. Currently, the effectiveness and safety of yoga in patients with various neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), is of interest to many scientists and clinicians. Purpose The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of yoga on symptoms and quality of life in patients with MS vs physical therapy (exercise therapy) and no exercise. Methods The patients were randomly assigned to three groups (yoga, physical therapy (PT), or waiting list). After 12 weeks of regular exercises (or the absence of them), the effect of yoga and PT on the functional status and quality of life of patients were evaluated. The data were collected during the patients’ two visits to the study center – before the start of the study and at the end of the 12-week period. The in-person examination included a doctor’s assessment of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, the fatigue scale, the Berg balance scale, and the 6-min walking test. Results A total of 36 patients finished the clinical study: thirty women and six men. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of improvement in MS symptoms as measured by the balance, walking test, and fatigue scales. However, in the analysis of eight criteria of SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire by the covariation analysis, statistically significant differences were found in favor of the yoga group in terms of physical functioning (PF) ( p = .003), life activity (VT) ( p < .001), mental health (MH) ( p = 013), and social functioning (SF) ( p = .028). Conclusions Thus, regular yoga classes under the guidance of qualified staff are a promising method of non-drug rehabilitation of patients with MS with motor disorders.

Effects of exercise in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Most interventions specified aerobic exercise ( n = 16) ( 24 – 26 , 30 , 33 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 39 , 45 , 46 , 51 , 53 , 56 , 58 , 63 ), balance training ( n = 10) ( 29 , 37 , 43 , 47 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 55 , 59 , 61 ), resistance exercise ( n = 6) ( 27 , 28 , 32 , 41 , 44 , 49 ), or other types of exercise [such as multicomponent training ( n = 5) ( 31 , 35 , 42 , 48 , 62 ) water sports ( n = 2) ( 40 , 57 ); interval training ( n = 1) ( 60 )]. Of the 40 studies, 26 studies provided data for balance, which was tested by BBS (20 studies) ( 24 , 29 , 34 , 36 – 40 , 42 – 44 , 46 , 49 , 50 , 52 – 54 , 58 , 59 , 61 ) and TUG (17 studies) ( 25 – 27 , 33 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 42 – 44 , 50 , 51 , 54 – ...…”

Yoga and Multiple Sclerosis: Maintaining engagement in physical activity

“…Due to previous engagement in physical activity, it was important to the pwMS that the yoga felt challenging and like a workout with this giving a sense of achievement and working hard. A randomised controlled trail of yoga versus physical therapy, which included a range of strength and conditioning exercises found no difference between these groups on the influence on quality of life [30]. However, self-belief is important for sustaining physical activity behaviours in the longer term, including confidence in ability to engage with physical activity [29].…”