Virtual yoga improves chronic low back pain

Virtual yoga classes can significantly reduce chronic low back pain (CLBP) intensity and improve back-related function, finds a recent randomized trial.

The study, conducted over 24 weeks, included 140 adults (mean age, 47.8 years; 80.7% female) with CLBP who were recruited from the Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan. Participants were divided into two groups: one participating in 12 consecutive weekly, 60-minute, virtual hatha yoga group classes and the other on a wait-list control. The primary objective was to assess the impact of virtual yoga on pain intensity, back function, sleep quality, and pain medication use.

Key findings: Participants in the yoga group experienced a notable reduction in pain intensity and back-related disability scores at both 12 and 24 weeks compared with the control group. Specifically, pain intensity decreased by an average of 1.5 points at 12 weeks and 2.3 points at 24 weeks, while back function scores improved by 2.8 and 4.6 points, respectively. Additionally, yoga participants reported less use of pain medication and better sleep quality throughout the study period.

Source:

Tankha H, et al. (2024, November 4). JAMA Netw Open. Effectiveness of Virtual Yoga for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39485352/