Effectiveness of Cat-Cow Yoga in Managing Chronic Low Back Pain

A randomized control trial is planned to investigate the effectiveness of Cat-Cow yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain CLBP. An 12 weeks course of intervention will be provided to the candidates that will meet the eligibility criteria of the study. Substance P, beta endorphins and cortisol will be tested both the groups' pre and post treatment and then the difference from the baseline value will be determined.

A randomized control trial will be conducted. Subjects who have passed the eligibility criteria will be asked for their consent to participate in the study. Then they will be chosen into their groups randomly. Every individual will have a fair chance to be selected in the test group in which they will receive the intervention, while the control group will receive 'usual care'. The outcomes of the study will be examined before the intervention and after the intervention with an interval of 12 weeks.

Subjects for this study will be enrolled from different Health care professionals of Karachi, Pakistan. Participants of the study will have diverse ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status etc. participants will be considered eligible for the study if the meet all the requirements of the inclusion criteria. Subjects will be invited and motivated for their participation in the study through advertisement on the notice board of their office. Those who have volunteered for the study will be provided with a consent form with detailed description of the study about its aims, duration and expected outcomes.

Interventions

The experimental intervention (Cat-Cow Yoga):

The cat-cow yoga therapy will be conducted in a conserved therapy center in Karachi. Session will start with a 10 minutes of warm-ups followed by 30 minutes of the therapy session in the afternoon three days a week (total 12 weeks).

The control intervention:

In control group, subjects will be given the usual care that if not vanishes the pain completely; will provide relief from the pain for the time being. Subjects in the control group will be asked to maintain a proper posture, take breaks during the work, remain active and to apply superficial heat if their pain exceeds their tolerance level.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Answer Yes to the following questions.

1. Have low back pain constantly or on most days for the last three months.
2. Have you seek care from health care provider due to back pain
3. Average pain intensity, assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating (NPR) scale over the past week ≥ 2 on a 0-10 numerical pain scale.
4. Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire score ≥ 4.
5. Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) work subscale score \<19.

Exclusion Criteria:

* To be eligible for the study participants must not:

  * Have a personal history of the following neurological disorders: Alzheimer's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Stroke
  * Have a personal history of the following cardiorespiratory disorders: Congestive heart failure, Heart attack in past 24 months
  * Have a personal history of the following musculoskeletal disorders: Rheumatoid Arthritis, pathologic fractures of the spine, avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis, severe osteoarthritis. Including a history of spine surgery or a hip arthroplasty
  * Have active cancer
  * Be Blind
  * Report being pregnant, lactating, or that they anticipate becoming pregnant in the next 3-months
  * Have a body mass index greater than 35 kg/m2
  * Have clinical depression (i.e., subjects who score 24 or higher on the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale).
  * Have used narcotics or muscle relaxants within 30 days prior to study enrollment.