Padmini Tekur, Chametcha S., Nagendra H.R. & Nagarathna R..
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bengaluru, India
ptekur@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective
To compare the effect of a short term intensive residential yoga program with physical exercise (control) on pain and spinal flexibility in subjects with Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP).
Method
Wait list randomized control study. A residential Integrated Health Centre in Bangalore, South India.
Subjects
Eighty subjects (females, n = 37) with CLBP, who consented were randomly assigned to receive yoga or physical exercise if they satisfied the selection criteria.
Intervention
The intervention consisted of a one week intensive residential yoga program comprising of asanas (physical postures) designed for back pain, pranayama (breathing practices), meditation and didactic and interactive sessions on philosophical concepts of yoga. The control group practiced physical exercises under a trained physiatrist and also had didactic and interactive sessions on lifestyle change. Both the groups were matched for time on intervention and attention. Pain related outcomes were assessed by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and spinal flexibility assessed using goniometer at pre and post intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA).
Result
Data conformed to a Gaussian distribution. There was a significant reduction in ODI scores in the yoga group compared to control (p=0.01, effect size 1.264). Spinal flexibility measures improved significantly in both the groups but yoga group showed greater improvement as compared to controls on spinal flexion (p=0.008, effect size 0.146), spinal extension (p=0.002, effect size 0.251), right lateral (p=0.059, effect size 0.006) and left lateral flexion (p=0.006, effect size 0.171) .
Conclusion
Seven days of residential intensive yoga based life style program improves pain related disability and spinal flexibility in patients with chronic low back pain better than physical exercise regimen.
Key words
Chronic low back pain, yoga,
Oswestry Disability Index,
spinal flexibility.