| Author, Year, Followup,a Pain Duration, Study Quality | Intervention | Population | Function and Pain Outcomes | Other Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bramberg, 201737 4.2 months Duration of pain: NR Fair | A. Kundalini yoga (n=52): Two 60-minute yoga classes per week for 6 weeks (12 total yoga classes). B. Strength training (n=52): Five 60-minute supervised strength-training sessions over 6 weeks. C. Attention control (self-care advice) (n=55): | A vs. B vs. C Age: 47 vs. 46 vs. 44 years Female: 72% vs. 62% vs. 80% Baseline CPGS-BD (0-100): 37.2 vs. 37.6 vs. 38.6 Baseline CPGS-BP (0-100): 57.1 vs. 57.7 vs. 55.6 | A vs. C 6 months CPGS-BD: 29.4 vs. 32.8, adjusted difference −6.0 (95% CI −15.6 to 3.6), p>0.05 CPGS-BP: 47.0 vs. 50.2, adjusted difference −6.5 (95% CI −14.9 to 1.8), p>0.05 B vs. C 6 months CPGS-BD: 24.8 vs. 32.8, adjusted difference −9.5 (95% CI −19.3 to 0.4), p>0.05 CPGS-BP: 41.7 vs. 50.2, adjusted difference −9.4 (95% CI −18.1 to −0.8), p<0.05 A vs. B 6 months CPGS-BD: 29.4 vs. 24.8, adjusted difference −3.5 (95% CI −12.2 vs. 5.3), p>0.05 CPGS-BP: 47.0 vs. 41.7, adjusted difference - 2.9 (95% CI −10.9 to 5.1), p>0.05 | Work absence (mean days over time period)b A vs. C -1 to 4 months: 4.1 vs. 8.9, difference −4.8 (95% CI -11.4 to 1.8) -5 to 8 months: 4.0 vs. 12.0, difference −8.0 (95% CI −15.8 to −0.2) -9 to 12 months: 3.6 vs. 9.2, difference −5.6 (95% CI −12.7 to 1.5); Proportion absent ≥1 time (%): RR 0.82 (95% CI 0.6 to 1.1) B vs. C -1 to 4 months: 5.0 vs. 8.9, difference −3.9 (95% CI −11.4 to 3.6) -5 to 8 months: 6.4 vs. 12.5, difference −6.1 (95% CI −15.7 to 3.5) -9 to 12 months: 9.5 vs. 9.2, difference 0.3 (95% CI −10.3 to 10.9); Proportion absent ≥1 time (%): RR 0.95 (95% CI 0.73 to 1.22) A vs. B -1 to 4 months: 4.1 vs. 5.0, difference −0.9 (95% CI −4.7 to 2.8) -5 to 8 months: 4.0 vs. 6.4, difference −2.4 (95% CI −7.5 to 2.7) -9 to 12 months: 3.6 vs. 9.5, difference −5.9 (95% CI −12.7 to 0.9); ≥1 day: 50% vs. 51%; Proportion absent ≥1 time (%): RR 0.86 (95% CI 0.65 to 1.14) |
Groessl, 2017204 3.5 months Duration of pain: >6 months Fair | A. Hatha yoga (n=75): Two sessions per week for 12 weeks, 15–20 minutes of home practice on days without sessions B. Wait list (n=75): Usual care, with yoga started after 6 months | A vs. B Age: 53 vs. 54 years Female: 27% vs. 25% Baseline RDQ (0-24): 9.40 vs. 10.3 Baseline pain (0-10 Brief Pain Inventory): 4.64 vs. 4.68 | A vs. B 3.5 months RDQ (0-24): −3.37 (95% CI −4.51 to −2.23) vs. −0.89 (95% CI−2.02 to 0.23); between group difference −2.48 (95% CI - 4.08 to −0.87) Pain intensity, Brief Pain Inventory (0-10): −0.44 (95% CI- 0.78 to −0.11) vs. 0.15 (95% CI −0.18 to 0.47); between-group difference −0.59 (95% CI −1.05 to −0.13) | A vs. B 3.5 months Opioid medication use: 9% vs. 7%, p=0.40 Other medical treatments for pain: 39% vs. 37, p=0.42 |
Highland, 2017211 3 and 6 months Duration of pain: >3 months Fair | A. Restorative Exercise and Strength Training for Operational Resilience and Excellence (RESTORE) Yoga Program (n=34): Participants completed 2 individual yoga sessions per week in weeks 1 to 4 and then once-weekly sessions in weeks 5 to 8. B. Usual care (n=34) | A + B Age: 44 years Female: 63% A vs. B Baseline PROMIS-PF (0-100; MCID = 3 point change): 40.67 vs. 42.03 Baseline RDQ (0-24; MCID = 30% reduction): 9.21 vs. 8.68 Baseline DVPRS (0-10; MCID = 2 point change or 30% reduction): 4.68 vs. 4.32 | A vs. B 3 months PROMIS-PF: 47.34 vs. 43.38, difference 3.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 6.99) RDQ: 4.43 vs. 7.04, difference −2.61 (95% CI −4.83 to −0.34) DVPRS: 2.75 vs. 3.35, difference −0.6 (95% CI −1.63 to 0.43) PROMIS-SB: 49.04 vs. 52.04, difference −3.0 (95% CI −5.82 to −0.18) 6 months PROMIS-PF: 47.05 vs. 44.06, difference 2.99 (95% CI −0.57 to 6.55) RDQ: 3.25 vs. 6.52, difference −3.27 (95% CI −5.39 to −1.15) DVPRS: 2.79 vs. 2.86, difference −0.07 (95% CI −1.13 to 0.99) PROMIS-SB: 48.11 vs. 51.80, difference −3.69 (95% CI −7.27 to −0.11) Proportion of patients achieving a MCID (at 6 months)c PROMIS-PF: 35% (8/23) vs. 20% (4/20); adjusted p=1.0 RDQ: 79% (19/24) vs. 52% (11/21), adjusted p=0.66 DVPRS: 63% (15/24) vs. 48% (10/21), adjusted p=1.0 | A vs. B 3 months PROMIS-SB: 49.04 vs. 52.04, difference −3.0 (95% CI −5.82 to −0.18) 6 months PROMIS-SB: 48.11 vs. 51.80, difference −3.69 (95% CI −7.27 to −0.11) Proportion of patients achieving an MCID (at 6 months)c PROMIS-SB (MCID = 5 point change): 83% (19/23) vs. 40% (8/20), adjusted p=0.03 |
Nambi, 2014220 5.5 months Duration of pain: >3 months Fair | A. Iyengar yoga (29 poses) (n=30) 5 sessions a week for 4 weeks B. Exercise (stretching exercises for soft tissue flexibility and range of motion) (n=30) | A vs. B Age: 44 vs. 43 years Female: 63% vs. 43% Baseline function, Physically unhealthy days: 18.0 vs. 17.8 Baseline pain (0-10 VAS): 6.7 vs. 6.7 | A vs. B 5 months Physically unhealthy days: 2.6 vs. 6.9, p=0.001 Pain (0-10 VAS): 1.8 vs. 3.8, p=0.001 | A vs. B 5 months Mentally unhealthy days: 2.1 vs. 5.0, p=0.001 Activity limitation (days): 2.0 vs. 5.0, p=0.001 |
Saper, 2017205 10 months Duration of pain: >3 months Fair | A. Hatha yoga (n=127) 12 sessions over 12 weeks, with or without ongoing weekly maintenance sessions B. Exercise (n=129) C. Attention control (education) (n=64) | A vs. B vs. C Age: 46 vs. 46 vs. 44 Female: 57% vs. 70% vs. 66% Baseline modified RDQ: 13.9 vs. 15.6 vs. 15.0 Baseline pain (0-10 NRS): 7.1 vs. 7.2 vs. 7.0 | A1 (no maintenance) vs. A2 (maintenance) vs. C, mean 3.5 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 10.1 vs. 9.5 vs. 11.6 Pain (0-10 NRS): 4.3 vs. 4.6 vs. 5.5 9 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 9.2 vs. 8.9 vs. 11.1 Pain (0-10 NRS): 4.3 vs. 4.4 vs. 5.2 A1 vs. A2 vs. B1 vs. B2 3.5 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 10.1 vs. 9.5 vs. 10.4 vs. 10.1 Pain (0-10 NRS): 4.3 vs. 4.6 vs. 4.7 vs. 4.8 9 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 9.2 vs. 8.9 vs. 8.9 vs. 9.4 Pain (0-10 NRS): 4.3 vs. 4.4 vs. 4.0 vs. 4.1 | NR |
Sherman, 2005206 3.5 months Duration of pain: 3 to 15 months Fair | A. Viniyoga (n=36) 12 sessions 1 session/week for 12 weeks B. Exercise (n=35) C. Attention control (self-care advice) (n=30) | A vs. B vs. C Age: 44 vs. 42 vs. 45 Female: 69% vs. 63% vs. 67% Baseline RDQ: 8.1 vs. 9.0 vs. 8.0 Baseline symptom bothersomeness (0-10): 5.4 vs. 5.7 vs. 5.4 | A vs. B 3.5 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 3 vs. 5 (estimated from graph), adjusted difference −1.5 (−3.2 to 0.2)d Reduction in RDQ score ≥50%:69% vs. 50%, RR 1.4 (95% CI 0.91 to 2.1) Bothersomeness: 1.8 vs. 3.3 (estimated from graph), adjusted difference −1.4 (95% CI −2.5 to −0.2)d Medication use: 21% vs. 50%, RR 0.41 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.87) A vs. C 3.5 months Symptom bothersomeness (0-10): 1.8 vs. 4.1, adjusted difference −2.2 (95% CI −3.2 to −1.2) Modified RDQ (0-23): 3 vs. 7, adjusted difference −3.6 (95% CI −5.4 to −1.8) Reduction in RDQ ≥50%: 69% vs. 30%, RR 2.3 (95% CI 1.3 to 4.2) | A vs. B 3.5 months Medication use: 21% vs. 59%, RR 0.35 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.73) SF-36: No significant differences (data not provided) |
Sherman, 2011207 3.5 months Duration of pain: 3 to 6 months Fair | A. Viniyoga (n=92) 12 sessions 1 session/week for 12 weeks B. Exercise (n=91) C. Attention control (self-care advice) (n=30) | A vs. B Age: 47 vs. 49 vs. 50 Female: 67% vs. 63% vs. 60% Baseline RDQ: 9.8 vs. 8.6 vs. 9.0 Baseline symptom bothersomeness (0-10): 4.9 vs. 4.5 vs. 4.7 | A vs. B 3.5 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 4.49 (95% CI 3.51 to 5.48) vs. 4.26 (95% CI 3.30 to 5.22), adjusted difference −0.35 (95% CI −1.52 to 0.83)d Reduction in RDQ score ≥50%: 60% vs. 51%, RR 1.17 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.54) Symptom bothersomeness (0-10): 3.59 (95 % CI 3.12 to 4.06) vs. 3.34 (95% CI 2.86 to 3.81) A vs. C 3.5 months Modified RDQ (0-23): 4.49 vs. 5.73, adjusted difference −1.81 (95% CI −3.12 to −0.50)d Reduction in RDQ score ≥50%: 60% vs. 31%, RR 1.90 (95% CI 1.21 to 2.99) Symptom bothersomeness (0-10): 3.59 (95% CI 3.12 to 4.06) vs. 3.80 (95% CI 3.14 to 4.46) | A vs. B 3.5 months LBP better, much better, or completely gone: 51% vs. 51%, RR 1.00 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.34) A vs. C LBP better, much better, or completely gone: 51% vs. 20%, RR 2.57, 95% CI 1.39 to 4.78) |
Tilbrook, 2011208 3 and 6 months Duration of pain: 96 vs. 72 months Fair | A. Iyengar yoga (n=152) 12 sessions 1 session/week for 12 weeks B. Attention control (self-care advice) (n=147) | A vs. B Age: 46 vs. 46 Female: 68% vs. 73% Baseline RDQ (0-24): 7.84 vs. 7.75 Baseline Aberdeen Back Pain Scale (0-100): 25.36 vs. 26.69 | A vs. B Difference in change from baseline (95% CI) 3 months RDQ (0-24): −1.48 (−2.62 to −0.33) Aberdeen Back Pain Scale (0 to 100): −1.74 (−4.32 to 0.84) 6 months RDQ(0-24): −1.57 (−2.71 to −0.42) Aberdeen Back Pain Scale: −0.73 (−3.30 to 1.84) | A vs. B Difference in change from baseline (95% CI) 3 months SF-12 PCS (0-100): 1.24 (−0.83 to 3.33) SF-12 MCS (0-100): 2.02 (−0.34 to 4.37) 6 months SF-12 PCS: 0.80 (−1.28 to 2.87) SF-12 MCS: 0.42 (−1.92 to 2.77) |
Williams, 2005210 3 months Duration of pain: 11.3 vs. 11.0 years Fair | A. Iyengar yoga (n=30), 16 sessions 1 session/week for 16 weeks B. Attention control (education) (n=30) | A vs. B Age: 49 vs. 48 Female: 65% vs. 70% Pain Disability Index (7-70): 14.3 vs. 21.2 Pain intensity, McGill Pain Questionnaire (0-10 VAS): 2.3 vs. 3.2 | A vs. B 3 months Pain Disability Index (7-70): 3.9 vs. 12.7, p=0.009 Pain, McGill Pain Questionnaire (0-10 VAS): 0.6 vs. 2.0, p=0.039 Present Pain Index (0-5): 0.5 vs. 1.1, p=0.013 | A vs. B 3 months Stopped or decreased medication use: 50% vs. 33%, p=0.007 |
Williams, 2009209 6 months Duration of pain: 47 vs. 78 months Fair | A. Iyengar yoga (n=43) 48 sessions for 24 weeks B. Waitlist (standard medical care) (n=47) | A vs. B Age: 48 vs. 48 years Female: 74% vs. 79% Oswestry Disability Index (0-100): 25.2 vs. 23.1 Pain (0-100 VAS): 41.9 vs. 41.2 | A vs. B 6 months Oswestry Disability Index (0-100): 19.3 vs. 23.5, p=0.001 Pain (0-100 VAS): 22.2 vs. 38.3, p=0.0009 | A vs. B 6 months Beck Depression Inventory (0-63): 4.6 vs. 7.8, p=0.0004 |
CI = confidence interval; CPGS=Von Korff Chronic Pain Grade Score; DVPRS = Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale; LBP = low back pain; MCID = minimally clinically important difference; NR = not reported; NRS = numeric rating scale; ODI = Oswestry Disability Index; PROMIS-PF = Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Functioning; PROMIS-SB =Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Symptom Burden; RDQ = Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire; RR = relative risk; SF-36 = Short-Form 36 Questionaire; VAS = visual analog scale
Unless otherwise noted, followup time is calculated from the end of the treatment period.
For missed work days: time period 1 (months 1-4), time period 2 (months 5-8) and time period 3 (months 9-12).
n/N not reported; calculated fromTable 3 of article.
Adjusted for baseline scores.
From: Results
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