Randomized trial in the effectiveness of yoga practice in the management of chronic low back pain. Prospective study

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a prevalent condition that significantly
impacts quality of life. Conventional treatments often provide limited relief, prompting
exploration of alternative therapies such as yoga. This study aimed to evaluate the
effectiveness of yoga practice in the management of CLBP in a sample population from
Ranchi.
Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized trial was conducted over a period of
one month. A total of 50 participants diagnosed with CLBP were randomly assigned to either
a yoga intervention group or a control group receiving standard care. The yoga group
participated in guided yoga sessions three times a week, each lasting 60 minutes. Pain levels
were measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline and after the intervention.
Functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Results: At the end of the study, participants in the yoga group showed a significant
reduction in pain scores, with mean VAS scores decreasing from 7.5 ± 1.2 to 3.4 ± 0.9 (p <
0.001). The control group exhibited a marginal decrease in pain, with mean VAS scores
reducing from 7.3 ± 1.3 to 6.8 ± 1.1 (p > 0.05). Additionally, the yoga group demonstrated an
improvement in functional disability, with ODI scores decreasing from 45.7% to 22.3%,
compared to the control group, which showed no significant change in ODI scores (p <
0.001).
Conclusion: The findings suggest that yoga is an effective intervention for reducing pain and
improving functional outcomes in individuals with chronic low back pain. Incorporating yoga
into treatment plans for CLBP may offer significant benefits, particularly for patients seeking
non-pharmacological options.