No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
The Benefits of Yoga for Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Abstract
The objective of this literature review is to gain insight into the effectiveness of yoga as a therapy for
musculoskeletal disorders. An extensive search of databases was performed to identify studies on yoga interventions and the effectiveness of yoga in people with the disorders. This review identified intervention studies that used randomized controlled trials, as well as nonrandomized controlled trials, and summarized and synthesized evidence of effectiveness of yoga. A literature search yielded 31 intervention studies that met inclusion criteria and they were included in this review. Based on the reviewed studies, yoga intervention is moderately feasible and is likely to be equal to or superior to exercise or usual care for reducing pain and pain medication use. Methodological limitations are identified in many of the studies, such as sample size, lack of reliable sham controls, and not blinding researchers to treatment and nontreatment groups.
... For example, in Forseth et al. [9] and Satin et al. [10] studies, the included participants were women with young to middle age (mean age < 45 years); in Cramer et al. [11] and Elwy et al. [12] studies, the included participants were with only 4 to 16 weeks experience of yoga practice. Moreover, abundant studies focused on disease populations, such as cardiovascular diseases [13], pulmonary diseases [14], cancer [15], musculoskeletal disorders [16], diabetes [17], but the potential effects of yoga on healthy women were understudied. Therefore, to understand the effects of long-term yoga practice on health variables in relation to its physiological resilience and homeostatic capacity, the objectives of this study were to compare the general health, cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, psychological health, and health-related quality of life between women with and without the experience of long-term yoga practice. ...
Background
Yoga is a popular training practice that enhances women’s physical activity level and modifies the major risk factors contributing to noncommunicable diseases. This study aimed to compare general health and cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal health, psychological health, and health-related quality of life between aged women with and without long-term yoga practice.
Methods
Thirty-two female yoga practitioners (mean age 56 years) with ≥ 2 years experience in regular yoga practice and 32 age-matched women without yoga experience participated in the study. Between-group comparisons was performed to explore the differences in various health outcomes, including body build indices, exercise endurance, blood pressure, and heart rate variability; hamstring flexibility, upper-limb muscle strength, shoulder range of motion, and upper-limb function; and the symptoms of anxiety and depression, sleep quality, and fatigue.
Results
Our findings revealed that yoga practitioners demonstrated greater hamstring flexibility, shoulder ROM on the non-dominant side, and hand-grip strength; a higher heart rate variability parameter value (RMSSD); and shorter sleep latency than those who did not practice yoga.
Conclusions
In view of the encouraging results of the long-term benefits of yoga practice, it warrants being promoted among aged women to enhance their physical and mental well-being.
... the limited literature available on the topic of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for MSD (Musculo-skeletal disorders) some studies have stated use of acupressure, acupuncture and Yoga. A review study on the use of Yoga for MSD by McCaffrey and Park[24] found that, Of the 31 identified studies, 15 used RCT methodology. Based on the outcomes of these 15 RCT trials, yoga programs were demonstrated to be safe for use and feasible to be delivered to people with musculoskeletal disorders. ...
Introduction: Musculo-skeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent globally with 1.71 billion people in 160 countries, and patients need rehabilitation therapies to recover. This paper presents four cases of MSD that were healed successfully using Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) protocols. Method: This is a case study method, and the process of investigation consists of going through the case details of each patient and the healer's records. Results: A review of these four cases indicate that the patients recovered from their Musculo-skeletal conditions within 2 to 4 weeks of healing done daily, using YPV advanced treatment protocols. Conclusions: Being no-drug no-touch method of energy healing, YPV offers great scope in the treatment of MSD conditions as alternative low-cost treatment modality. Recommendations include looking into the possibilities of training doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers in the practice of YPV healing system, and conduct further research on the application of YPV in treating MSDs using appropriate sample size and methodology.
... As a form of exercise, the practice of yoga has increased rapidly in recent years among all age groups, as individuals seek ways to stay healthy and resolve physiological and psychological problems. The benefits of yoga practice have been demonstrated in previous studies: yoga improves flexibility and strength [1][2][3][4], raises the quality of life, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease [5], and improves musculoskeletal health [6][7][8][9][10]. It has been reported that yoga is safe as a usual form of care and exercise [11]. ...
Standing yoga poses strengthen a person’s legs and helps to achieve the goal of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, but inadequate exercise planning can cause injuries. This study investigated changes in the electromyogram and joint moments of force (JMOFs) of lower extremities during common standing yoga poses in order to explore the feasibility and possible injury risk in dealing with musculoskeletal problems. Eleven yoga instructors were recruited to execute five yoga poses (Chair, Tree, Warrior 1, 2, and 3). The results revealed significant differences in hip, knee, and ankle JMOFs and varying degrees of muscle activation among the poses. Among these poses, rectus femoris muscle activation during the Chair pose was the highest, Warrior 2 produced the highest muscle activation in the vastus lateralis of the front limb, while Warrior 1 had the highest muscle activation in the vastus medialis of the back limb. Therefore, all three poses can possibly be suggested as a therapeutic intervention for quadriceps strengthening. Warrior 1 was possibly suggested as a therapeutic intervention in order to reduce excessive lateral overload of the patella, but the possible adverse effects of Warrior 2 with the highest knee adductor JMOF in the back limb could raise joint reaction forces across the medial condyles. In single-leg balance postures, Warrior 3 had unique training effects on the hamstring, and is therefore suggested as a part of hamstring rehabilitation exercises. The Tree pose induced low lower-extremity JMOFs and a low level of thigh muscle activations when it was performed by senior instructors with excellent balance control; however, for yoga beginners with insufficient stability, it will be a useful training mode for strengthening the muscles that help to keep one upright. This study quantified the physical demands of yoga poses using biomechanical data and elucidated the structures and principles underlying each yoga movement. This is crucial for yoga practitioners.
... Paschimottanasana: Stretches shoulder, spine and hamstrings, improves digestion and reduces fatigue. e. Bhujangasana: Makes spine stronger and flexible, stretches chest, lung, shoulder and abdomen [45][46][47]. ...
Technology has become almost an integral part of our lives. The development and use of modern gadgets has also increased with the technological advancement. Technology and electronic gadgets have become near indispensable in our daily lives and almost everyone is addicted to these. Today"s youth are putting technology to varied use, from texting, tweeting, chatting, online gaming, social media etc. The high dependency and unregulated use of electronic gadgets has led to serious health (mental and physical) implications. Yoga and meditation have proved to be effective practices to mitigate these health implications and find recommendation as therapeutic intervention not only in India but worldwide. This paper discusses the adverse health implications of unregulated overuse of electronic devices and the solutions offered by the Yoga to mitigate these through electronic detoxification. This article is of special significance to academia especially adolescent school going children since they comprise most vulnerable target group. Various health complications, addiction to electronic gadgets, can lead to and yoga postures to handle these have been discussed.
... Given these mechanisms, yoga has been used for the management of a variety of musculoskeletal painful conditions. 24 . The controlled yoga postures have been postulated for their superiority over the conventional exercises in patients with low backache. ...
Musculoskeletal diseases are a group of clinical conditions affecting the body's movement
and remain a common source of pain affecting the quality of life. The aetio-pathological
reasons for pain associated with musculoskeletal diseases can be varied and complex.
Conventional medicine can treat or modify pain due to musculoskeletal diseases; however,
these may be associated with some side effects and at times may not be able to relieve pain
completely. These treatment modalities also have ceiling effects like doses of analgesics, the
number of nerve blocks, etc. Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) provides a
supplementary, unconventional modality to alleviate discomfort and disability associated
with these mostly chronic conditions to manage activities of daily living. These modalities
have been variedly combined with conventional management for symptom control and thus
improve day-to-day activities. We assess the role of commonly used CAM modalities in the
management of pain arising from Musculoskeletal diseases.
... It has been used for reducing various musculoskeletal problems, 62 including rheumatoid arthritis. Yoga plays an important role in improving physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, as well as in managing stress and its effects 63 . ...
... Balancing and Strength has many positions, it will mostly depends on the level of each individual. (14) Standing with both legs close to each other, subject will place the right leg on the Swissball with the right knee bent while the left leg stands firmly on the mat. They will interlock the fingers forward, inhale then stretch the hands up, palms facing upwards. ...
Introduction: Nowadays, the prevalence of Musculoskeletal Discomforts (MSD) is increasing in the world. As treatment, usually surgery or physiotherapyare recommended, but they are expensive and may cause side effects. Apracticalcourse of treatment without negative side effects and with permanent positive effects is lacking. Objective: To suggest a practical course of treatment, introduced by a licensed Yoga coach who is experienced in this field, and through thatto shed a light on yoga as treatment for MSD. The hypothesis is that yoga may decrease the pain among individuals with MSD. Methods: This hypothesis is presented based on the practical techniques used in Yoga including body relaxation and breathing awareness (2 minutes & 3 minutes respectively), warm up/stretches (20 minutes), balancing & strength, full relaxation and refresh.This training exercise is suggested to be done in the morning, 2-3 times a week for 8-10 weeks. There is no age nor gender limitation. Result: It is hypothesized that 1 hour of Yoga exercise can be useful in decreasing the symptoms of MSD by increasing the flexibility of muscles and range of motion in joints. Conclusion: A series of Yoga training exercise can be suggested for the physiotherapist to treat the people with MSD.
Helping Health Professionals (HHP) and HHP students are among the highest risk occupational groups for compromised mental and physical health. There is a paucity of information regarding preventive interventions for mental and physical health in this group of healthcare providers.
Objective
The objective of this review was to examine the effectiveness of yoga interventions for the prevention and reduction of mental and physical disorders among HHPs and HHP students.
Design
An exhaustive systematic search was conducted in May, 2020. Databases searched in the OVID interface included: MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily, Embase, and PsycINFO. EbscoHost databases searched included: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Alt HealthWatch, Education Research Complete, SocINDEX with Full Text, ERIC, and Academic Search Complete. Scopus was also searched.
Results
The search yielded 4,973 records, and after removal of duplicates 3,197 records remained. Using inclusion and exclusion criteria, titles and abstracts were screened and full text articles (n = 82) were retrieved and screened. Twenty-five studies were identified for inclusion in this review. Most frequently reported findings of yoga interventions in this population included a reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, and musculoskeletal pain.
Conclusion
It is our conclusion that mental and physical benefits can be obtained through implementation of yoga interventions for HHPs and HHP students across a variety of settings and backgrounds. However, researchers would benefit from following recommended guidelines for the design and reporting of yoga interventions to improve study quality and rigour.
Recent research indicates that yoga can be effective for reducing both musculoskeletal conditions and stress. In the workplace, musculoskeletal conditions and stress are the two most common reasons for sickness absence. The World Health Organisation has identified the workplace as a priority area for promoting good health. As a result, yoga is increasingly being offered in workplace settings to improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of employees. In September 2014, a comprehensive search of relevant electronic databases was performed to determine the effectiveness of yoga in workplace settings. Eight randomised trials met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the effectiveness of yoga in the workplace was strong for musculoskeletal conditions, moderate for perceived stress, limited for sleep quality and conflicting for heart rate variability. Overall, this evidence is promising, yet limited due to a lack of high quality studies of yoga in workplace settings.
Recent research indicates that yoga can be effective for reducing both musculoskeletal conditions and stress. In the workplace, musculoskeletal conditions and stress are the two most common reasons for sickness absence. The World Health Organisation has identified the workplace as a priority area for promoting good health. As a result, yoga is increasingly being offered in workplace settings to improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of employees. In September 2014, a comprehensive search of relevant electronic databases was performed to determine the effectiveness of yoga in workplace settings. Eight randomised trials met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the effectiveness of yoga in the workplace was strong for musculoskeletal conditions, moderate for perceived stress, limited for sleep quality and conflicting for heart rate variability. Overall, this evidence is promising, yet limited due to a lack of high quality studies of yoga in workplace settings.
Dentistry as a profession is quite demanding and challenging and is also associated with occupational hazards like musculoskeletal disorders and stress-related problems. The practice of yoga has been proven to be efficacious in management of quite a lot of stress and lifestyle disorders. It strengthens one physically, mentally, and emotionally. Moreover, yoga can also be used in the management of dental patients for stress-related oral conditions like lichen planus, burning mouth syndrome, aphthous ulcers, etc., Yoga has also been found to have antiinflammatory, antianxiety effect, and also a lot of other beneficial effects. This review emphasizes on the relevance of yoga in the dental profession, from the practitioners, students, and patients viewpoint. Data pertaining to the subject was obtained after a thorough search of the PubMed literature and Google search engine.
Background: Empirical evidence indicates that yogic practices may be beneficial for the management of type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this review is to analyze and synthesize recent experimental trials examining the effect of yoga asana-based interventions on blood glucose, HbA1C, and anthropometric measures among individuals with type 2 diabetes. This review focuses on clinically relevant findings that support the prescription of yogic asana practices to this population. Methods: Electronic searches of several databases were performed for experimental studies through December 2015. Studies were included if they were in English, peer-reviewed, included asana-based yoga interventions among adults with type 2 diabetes, and reported relevant outcomes. Findings: The search identified 19 experimental studies. A majority of the studies found improvements in blood glucose measures, HbA1c, and/or anthropometric measures. Style of yoga, duration of yogic interventions, and type of control group varied across studies. Conclusions: These studies suggest that regular yoga practice may lead to improvements in blood glucose measures, HbA1c, body weight, and body mass index some with minor statistical significance and others with significant clinical significance. The results are discussed as they relate to clinical exercise prescription. Further research is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and better understand how yoga intervention can be implemented into clinical settings.
Key Words: yoga, type 2 diabetes, exercise, asana, weight, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c
Objectives:
To determine effects of Sit 'N' Fit Chair Yoga, compared to a Health Education program (HEP), on pain and physical function in older adults with lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA) who could not participate in standing exercise.
Design:
Two-arm randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
One HUD senior housing facility and one day senior center in south Florida.
Participants:
Community-dwelling older adults (N = 131) were randomly assigned to chair yoga (n = 66) or HEP (n = 65). Thirteen dropped after assignment but prior to the intervention; six dropped during the intervention; 106 of 112 completed at least 12 of 16 sessions (95% retention rate).
Interventions:
Participants attended either chair yoga or HEP. Both interventions consisted of twice-weekly 45-minute sessions for 8 weeks.
Measurements:
Primary: pain, pain interference; secondary: balance, gait speed, fatigue, functional ability measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of intervention, at the end of the 8-week intervention, and post-intervention (1 and 3 months).
Results:
The chair yoga group showed greater reduction in pain interference during the intervention (P = .01), sustained through 3 months (P = .022). WOMAC pain (P = .048), gait speed (P = .024), and fatigue (P = .037) were improved in the yoga group during the intervention (P = .048) but improvements were not sustained post intervention. Chair yoga had no effect on balance.
Conclusion:
An 8-week chair yoga program was associated with reduction in pain, pain interference, and fatigue, and improvement in gait speed, but only the effects on pain interference were sustained 3 months post intervention. Chair yoga should be further explored as a nonpharmacologic intervention for older people with OA in the lower extremities.
Trial registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02113410.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent and disabling chronic condition. Because physical activity is a key component in OA management, effective exercise interventions are needed. Yoga is an increasingly popular multimodal mind-body exercise that aims to promote flexibility, strength, endurance, and balance. Its gentle approach is potentially a safe and effective exercise option for managing OA. The purpose of this focused review is to examine the effects of yoga on OA symptoms and physical and psychosocial outcomes. A comprehensive search was conducted using seven electronic databases. Twelve reports met inclusion criteria involving a total of 589 participants with OA-related symptoms. A variety of types, frequencies, and durations of yoga interventions were reported; Hatha and Iyengar yoga were the most commonly used types. Frequency of intervention ranged from once a week to 6 days a week. Duration of the interventions ranged from 45 to 90 mins per session for 6 to 12 wks. Yoga intervention resulted in reductions in pain, stiffness, and swelling, but results on physical function and psychosocial well-being were inconclusive because of a variety of outcome measures being used.
Subacromial injections of steroid when given accurately to the subacromial space followed by appropriate physiotherapy and yoga resulted in significantly reduced pain and increased functional outcomes in subacromial bursitis in a type II diabetes patient. Steroidal injections wherever indicated and if injected correctly into the subacromial space under proper sterile condition leads to enhanced healing, reduced pain, improved range of motion, and increased functional ability and return to work. In situations of doubt, ultrasonography (USG) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide better insight to its pathology and site which in turn helps the clinician to take correct decisions about injection therapy, drug, and approach to be used. Inaccurately administered injections may delay the healing process and burden the patient further to undergo surgical intervention. It is better to use physiotherapy exercises and yoga asanas as adjuvant to enhance recovery and functions after injection therapy.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of postural awareness by using the Wii Fit Plus(©) on the quality of the baseline (automatic) activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) measured by intravaginal surface electromyography (sEMG).
Four healthy continent female subjects, all able to perform a voluntary contraction, undertook 2 sets of 3 various exercises offered by the software Wii Fit Plus(©) using the Wii balance board(©) (WBB): one set without any visual control and the second set with postural control and sEMG visual feedback. Simultaneously, we recorded the sEMG activity of the PFM.
Mean baseline activity of PFM in standing position at start was 2.87mV, at submaximal voluntary contraction the sEMG activity raised at a mean of 14.43mV (7.87-21.89). In the first set of exercises on the WBB without any visual feedback, the automatic activity of the PFM increased from 2.87mV to 8.75mV (7.96-9.59). In the second set, with visual postural and sEMG control, mean baseline sEMG activity even raised at 11.39mV (10.17-11.58).
Among women able of a voluntary contraction of PFM, visualisation of posture with the help of the WBB and of sEMG activity of the PFM during static and dynamic Wii Fit Plus(©) activities, may improve the automatic activation of the PFMs.
4.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Introduction
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of postural awareness by using the Wii Fit Plus© on the quality of the baseline (automatic) activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) measured by intravaginal surface electromyography (sEMG).
Methods
Four healthy continent female subjects, all able to perform a voluntary contraction, undertook 2 sets of 3 various exercises offered by the software Wii Fit Plus© using the Wii balance board© (WBB): one set without any visual control and the second set with postural control and sEMG visual feedback. Simultaneously, we recorded the sEMG activity of the PFM.
Results
Mean baseline activity of PFM in standing position at start was 2.87 mV, at submaximal voluntary contraction the sEMG activity raised at a mean of 14.43 mV (7.87–21.89). In the first set of exercises on the WBB without any visual feedback, the automatic activity of the PFM increased from 2.87 mV to 8.75 mV (7.96–9.59). In the second set, with visual postural and sEMG control, mean baseline sEMG activity even raised at 11.39 mV (10.17–11.58).
Conclusion
Among women able of a voluntary contraction of PFM, visualisation of posture with the help of the WBB and of sEMG activity of the PFM during static and dynamic Wii Fit Plus© activities, may improve the automatic activation of the PFMs.
Level of evidence
4.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.