Key Features of Effective Yoga Interventions in Addition to Standard Medical Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesize the content, structure, and delivery characteristics of effective yoga interventions in addition to standard medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines were followed. Seventeen databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing yoga's effectiveness in treating RA outcomes (disease activity score, pain, and function). Meta-analyses and narrative synthesis were conducted. Results: Nine articles representing five RCTs were included and had low methodological quality scores. Yoga interventions, in addition to standard medical treatment, improved disease activity scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] −0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.73 to −0.18) and function (SMD −0.42, 95% CI −0.78 to −0.07) but did not effectively reduce pain (SMD −1.06, 95% CI −2.62 to 0.50) compared to standard medical treatment alone. All five RCTs found yoga's beneficial effects on one or more outcomes. All yoga interventions included center-based (supervised, group) sessions, and two included additional home-based (unsupervised, individual) sessions. All interventions incorporated 20 yogic poses (6 standing, 5 supine, 5 prone, and 4 seated), 7 breathing practices, and 4 meditation and relaxation practices. Two interventions offered RA-specific yogic pose modifications. Center-based sessions were delivered at least once weekly for 8 weeks’ median duration and around 68 minutes per session. Home-based yoga was recommended thrice weekly for a 10-week mean duration and 40 minutes per session. Conclusion: Yoga might be useful in addition to standard medical treatment for RA. Given previous studies’ methodological limitations, a high-quality RCT should be conducted based on our synthesized key features of effective yoga interventions.