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Chair yoga linked with reduced pain, pain interference in patients with OA
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Older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis pain who participated in an 8-week chair yoga program experienced reduced pain, pain interference and fatigue, as well as improved gait speed, according to results.
Researcher randomly assigned 112 community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis (OA) joint pain in at least one lower extremity joint to participate in a yoga program or health education program for 8 weeks. Primary measurements included pain and pain interference, according to researchers.
Results showed 106 of 112 patients completed at least 12 of 16 sessions, for a 95% retention rate. Researchers noted the chair yoga group had a significantly greater decrease in pain interference during the 8 weeks and through 3 months vs. the health education program group. The chair yoga group also had a significantly greater decrease in WOMAC pain and fatigue and a significantly greater improvement in gait speed, according to results. However, researchers found only pain interference sustained a statistically significant effect at 3-months post-intervention for the chair yoga group.
“This public health study is significant because of the high prevalence of osteoarthritis in aging populations and the potential impact of chair yoga on clinical outcomes, including pain, pain interference, fatigue and gait speed,” Juyoung Park, PhD, Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar and associate professor at Florida Atlantic University, told Healio.com/Orthopedics. “Chair yoga could reduce pharmacological treatment and expensive joint replacement or the need for assistance at home.” – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: Park reports no relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
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Linda A. Russell, MD
Patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA) often have pain in their affected joints. As a result, patients become more sedentary and often gain weight. This can cause a vicious cycle of further weight gain, which can result in a greater force on the lower extremity and as a result, more pain. Patients become progressively more deconditioned. This may result in the patient becoming more socially isolated. This can result in loneliness and depression.
An exercise regimen can be designed for all patients despite having arthritis. A patient’s physician or physical therapist can help to design and exercise program. Many patients are often surprised that even small amounts of exercise can have benefit. Most note less stiffness after completing an exercise program. Strengthening muscles around an arthritic joint has been shown to improve function and decrease pain in the affected joint. This has also been shown to delay the need for joint arthroplasty.
This study again emphasizes the benefit of an exercise program for adults with OA. Yoga is especially helpful in combating the frustration associated with not being able to do what patients could have done in the past, due to meditation and breathing.
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