Comparison of Yoga, Exercise, and Education for the Treatment of Chronic Low Bac

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http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/143/12/I-18

 

Comparison of Yoga, Exercise, and Education for the Treatment of

Chronic Low Back Pain

 

How was the study done?

The researchers assigned patients at random to receive 1) 12 weekly

75-minute yoga classes designed for patients with back pain and

instructions to practice daily at home; 2) 12 weekly 75-minute

sessions of aerobic, strengthening, and stretching exercises, which

were developed by a physical therapist, and instructions to practice

daily at home; or 3) a personal copy of The Back Pain Helpbook by Jim

Moore and colleagues (Reading, MA: Perseus Books; 1999). Study

patients could use drugs, such as anti-inflammatory agents or

acetaminophen, as needed. Interviewers, who did not know which

treatment each patient received, called patients after 6, 12, and 26

weeks and used standard questions to collect information on pain and

dysfunction.

 

What did the researchers find?

After 12 weeks, patients in the yoga group had better back-related

function than patients in the exercise or education groups. Reports

of pain were similar in all 3 groups. At 26 weeks, patients in the

yoga group reported better back-related function and less pain.

 

What were the limitations of the study?

The study followed patients for about 6 months, so this study does

not tell us about the effectiveness of yoga over longer periods. The

study involved only 1 yoga instructor and 1 exercise instructor.

Other instructors might have achieved different results. The study

was too small to come to firm conclusions about the safety of yoga

for patients with low back pain.

 

What are the implications of the study?

Over 3 to 6 months, yoga appears to be more effective than

traditional exercise or an educational book for improving function

and pain in patients with chronic low back pain.