TY - JOUR
T1 - The Efficacy of Yoga as an Intervention for Chronic Low Back Pain
T2 - A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
AU - Diaz, Alison M.
AU - Kolber, Morey J.
AU - Patel, Chetan K.
AU - Pabian, Patrick S.
AU - Rothschild, Carey E.
AU - Hanney, William J.
PY - 2013/11
Y1 - 2013/11
N2 - Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is common and has a tremendous economic impact. With the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) on the rise, individuals often seek alternative treatments. Yoga is a widely used complementary and alternative medicine treatment for LBP. However, its efficacy as an intervention for LBP has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore the purpose of this study was to systematically review the current literature for randomized controlled trials that assess the outcomes of Yoga as an intervention for individuals with cLBP. An electronic database search was performed for studies related to the efficacy of yoga in treatment for cLBP. Studies included were randomized control trials, published in English, from a peer-reviewed journal that identified yoga as the primary treatment focus for LBP in at least one group and included participants with at least a 12-week (3-month) history of symptoms. Our search revealed 185 articles. Of these, 10 met the inclusion criteria. We concluded Yoga intervention appears to be an efficacious intervention in alleviating cLBP. Yoga was demonstrated to significantly improve quality of life and reduce disability, stress, depression, and medication usage associated with cLBP in 8 of the 10 analyzed trials when compared with usual care, self-care book, or exercises. However, more research is necessary before recommendations can be made.
AB - Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is common and has a tremendous economic impact. With the prevalence and incidence of low back pain (LBP) on the rise, individuals often seek alternative treatments. Yoga is a widely used complementary and alternative medicine treatment for LBP. However, its efficacy as an intervention for LBP has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore the purpose of this study was to systematically review the current literature for randomized controlled trials that assess the outcomes of Yoga as an intervention for individuals with cLBP. An electronic database search was performed for studies related to the efficacy of yoga in treatment for cLBP. Studies included were randomized control trials, published in English, from a peer-reviewed journal that identified yoga as the primary treatment focus for LBP in at least one group and included participants with at least a 12-week (3-month) history of symptoms. Our search revealed 185 articles. Of these, 10 met the inclusion criteria. We concluded Yoga intervention appears to be an efficacious intervention in alleviating cLBP. Yoga was demonstrated to significantly improve quality of life and reduce disability, stress, depression, and medication usage associated with cLBP in 8 of the 10 analyzed trials when compared with usual care, self-care book, or exercises. However, more research is necessary before recommendations can be made.
KW - complimentary alternative medicine
KW - complimentary medicine
KW - exercise
KW - mobility
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84887605444&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84887605444&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1559827613483440
DO - 10.1177/1559827613483440
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84887605444
SN - 1559-8276
VL - 7
SP - 418
EP - 430
JO - American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
JF - American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
IS - 6
ER -
