AB1425-HPR Effects of a yoga program on pain relief, reducing anxiety and extended range of motion of knee in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Abstract

Background: Positive effects of exercise both in water environment (hydrotherapy) and out, on decreasing pain and stress and increasing range of motion of joints have been demonstrated in many studies. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a Yoga program, a gentle form of physical activity which can integrate and bring balance to the body, mind and spirit, on pain decline, reducing anxiety, and improvement of RoM of knee joint in RA patients. Material and methods: In a clinical trial, a total of 40 adult females were equally assigned in experimental and control groups. At baseline, demographic data and disease history were asked then the severity of pain were assessed by the use of pain visual-analoge scale, level of anxiety by STAI-I and STAI-II anxiety inventory and knee joint range of motion by a goniometer. Then the experimental group was advised to participate in a yoga program for 12 weeks. By the end of yoga program, both groups were reassessed. Results: The mean pain severity was reduced in both groups, however, in experimentals showed a statistical significant differences (p < 0.001). The mean level of anxiety had a noticeable decline with statistical significant differences in experimental group (p < 0.001). The controls did not show significant changes in level of anxiety. Knee joint range of motion was also significantly increased in yoga group, when compared with controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Yoga could effectively decrease pain severity as well as level of anxiety and improve RoM of knee in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.