Research is extremely important to support different approaches to health care. In the recent past, Yoga has been gaining lot of attention as Yoga Institutes, reseachers, scholars have started offering substantive clinical research evidence. In this issue, Indian Yoga Association brings to you the Research Papers published by our Member Institutes and other Institutes or individuals on the benefits of Yoga in Arthritis

Patanjali Yogpeeth

Effect of one week of yoga on function and severity in rheumatoid arthritis

Authors: Shirley Telles, Kalkuni V Naveen, Vaishali Gaur, Acharya Balkrishna
Published In: PubMed Central
Published On: April 2011

Abstract: Previous studies have shown that yoga practice improved the hand grip strength in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Sixty-four participants with RA (group average age ± S.D., 46.5 ± 9.6 years; 47 females) were assessed at the beginning and end of a one week yoga program. The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), hand grip strength, rheumatoid factor, and C-reactive protein levels were assessed on the first and last day and compared using a t-test for paired data. All participants showed reduced disability scores of the HAQ and rheumatoid factor levels, with an increase in bilateral hand grip strength in male participants alone.

This single group study indicated that a brief intensive yoga program was beneficial in RA, with decreased disability, better functionality and changes in the rheumatoid factor levels suggesting improvement. A randomized controlled trial studied the effect of yoga on twenty patients with RA [1]. While conventional measurements (e.g., ring size, duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, and the HAQ) were carried out, a significant difference between groups was seen in the left hand grip strength alone.

In a later study a combination of yoga techniques also improved hand grip strength which was the only assessment taken [2]. To our knowledge no study has simultaneously monitored disability and pain, hand grip strength, as well as the rheumatoid factor levels and C Reactive Protein simultaneously in patients with rheumatoid arthritis following yoga. A population-based rheumatoid arthritis incidence cohort (1955-1995, aged > or = 18 years) was followed up longitudinally until January 1, 2006 or until death [3]. Patients who were rheumatoid factor positive had higher than expected mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Hence the present trial was planned to assess the short term impact of yoga on the rheumatoid factor levels and other variables.

Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA)

Effect of an integrated approach of yoga therapy on quality of life in osteoarthritis of the knee joint: A randomized control study

Author: John Ebnezar, Raghuram Nagarathna, Yogitha Bali, Hongasandra Ramarao Nagendra

Published In: International Journal of Yoga

Published On: 2011; Volume: 4, Issue: 2, Page: 55-63

Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of addition of integrated yoga therapy to therapeutic exercises in osteoarthritis (OA) of knee joints. This was a prospective randomized active control trial. A total of t participants with OA of knee joints between 35 and 80 years (yoga, 59.56 ± 9.54 and control, 59.42 ± 10.66) from the outpatient department of Dr. John’s Orthopedic Center, Bengaluru, were randomly assigned to receive yoga or physiotherapy exercises after transcutaneous electrical stimulation and ultrasound treatment of the affected knee joints. Both groups practiced supervised intervention (40 min per day) for 2 weeks (6 days per week) with followup for 3 months. The module of integrated yoga consisted of shithilikaranavyayama (loosening and strengthening), asanas, relaxation techniques, pranayama, meditation and didactic lectures on yama, niyama, jnana yoga, bhakti yoga, and karma yoga for a healthy lifestyle change. The control group also had supervised physiotherapy exercises. A total of 118 (yoga) and 117 (control) were available for final analysis.

Significant differences were observed within (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon’s) and between groups (P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney U-test) on all domains of the Short Form-36 (P < 0.004), with better results in the yoga group than in the control group, both at 15 th day and 90 th day.

An integrated approach of yoga therapy is better than therapeutic exercises as an adjunct to transcutaneous electrical stimulation and ultrasound treatment in improving knee disability and quality of life in patients with OA knees.

Yoga as an Alternative and Complementary Approach for Arthritis: A Systematic Review

Author: Manoj Sharma (MBBS, MCHES, PhD, FAAHB)

Published In: Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine

Published On: September 10, 2013

Abstract: In the United States, approximately 21% of the adults suffer from arthritis. Yoga offers one possible way of managing arthritis. The purpose of this study was to look at studies from 2010 to June 2013 and examine whether yoga can be an efficacious approach for managing arthritis. A systematic search from Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, and Alt HealthWatch databases was conducted for quantitative articles involving all schools of yoga. A total of 9 articles met the inclusion criteria. Five of these were from the United States and 4 from India. Of the 9 studies, 6 demonstrated positive changes in psychological or physiological outcomes related to arthritis. Despite the limitations not all studies using randomized controlled design, having smaller sample sizes, having different outcomes, having nonstandardized yoga intervention, not using behavioral theory, and having varying lengths, yoga appears to be a promising modality for arthritis.

Yoga for Arthritis: A Scoping Review

Author: Steffany Haaz, PhDa and Susan J. Bartlett, PhDb

Published In: PubMed Central

Published On: 2010

Abstract: The aim of this article was to systematically review the existing literature on the use of yoga for persons with arthritis. We included peer-reviewed research from clinical trials (published from 1980-2010) that used yoga as an intervention for arthritis patients and reported quantitative findings. Eleven studies were identified, including four RCTs and four NRCTs. All trials were small and control groups varied. No adverse events were reported and attrition was comparable or better than typical for exercise interventions. Evidence was strongest for reduction in disease symptoms (tender/swollen joints, pain) and disability, as well as improved self-efficacy and mental health. Interventions, research methods and disease diagnoses were heterogeneous. Larger, rigorous RCTs are necessary to more effectively quantify the effects of yoga for arthritic populations.