AB1425-HPR Effects of a yoga program on pain relief, reducing anxiety and extended range of motion of knee in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: S. Mahidashtizad, A. Salajegheh
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Rheumatoid Arthritis as a chronic systemic disease, is the most common cause of joints inflammation and deformity. Chronic pain, fatigue, decline in physical activity and joint range of motion limitation and disability as a sequent, are known as the most important side effects of RA. 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. Yoga is a gentle form of physical activity which can integrate and bring balance to the body, mind and spirit.It is an ancient Indian science that has been used for therapeutic benefits in numerous health care concerns where stress is believed to play a role. <h3>Objectives</h3> The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a Yoga program on pain decline, reducing anxiety, and improvement of RoM of knee joint in RA patients. <h3>Methods</h3> 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 - analog 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. <h3>Results</h3> The mean pain severity was reduced in both groups, however, in experimentals showed a statistical significant differences (p&lt;0.001). The mean level of anxiety had a noticeable decline with statistical significant differences in experimental group (p&lt;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&lt;0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Yoga could effectively decrease pain severity as well as level of anxiety and improve RoM of knee in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. <h3>References</h3> Badsha H, Chhabra V, Leibman C, Mofti A, Kong KO. The benefits of yoga for rheumatoid arthritis:results of a preliminary, structured 8-week program. Rheumatol Int 2009 Oct;29(12):1417-21. Epub 2009 Jan 31. Eberhardt K, Sandqvist G, Geborek P. Hand function tests are important and sensitive tools for assessment of treatment response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Rheumatol 2008 Mar-Apr;37(2):109-12. Vidiraja H.S, Raghavendra Rao. Effem on quality of life and affect in early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant therapy: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2009;17:274-280 Mahidashtizad Sh, Mohammadzadeh Sh, Shojaii F, Zeraati H. Effects of hydrotherapy on pain relief and extended range of motion in rheumatoid arthritis. Medical Science Journal of Azad University, Tehran Medical Unit 2007;17:147-52 Pilkington K, Kirkwood G, Rampes H, Richardson J. Yoga for depression: the research evidence. J Affect Disorder 2005;89:13-24 Kirkwood G, Rampes H, Tuffrey V, Richardson J, Pilkington K. yoga for anxiety: a systematic review of the research evidence. Br J Sports Med 2005;39:884-91 <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None Declared