Yoga Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Yoga, including details on benefits, health, treatment, back pain.

Iyengar yoga for treating symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knees: a pilot study.

Kolasinski SL, Garfinkel M, Tsai AG, Matz W, Dyke AV, Schumacher HR

Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA.

Objectives: The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guidelines for the medical management of osteoarthritis (OA) emphasize the use of nonpharmacologic interventions including exercise. Implementation of an exercise program can be difficult for patients, and little is known about the benefits of alternative therapies such as yoga. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of using yoga in the tradition of B.K.S. Iyengar to treat the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Design: Participants were instructed in modified Iyengar yoga postures during 90-minute classes once weekly for 8 weeks. Subjects: Participants met ACR criteria for osteoarthritis of the knee and completed a medical history and physical examination, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2), Patient Global Assessment (GA) by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Physician GA by VAS, and 50-foot Walk Time before and following an 8-week course of yoga instruction. Eleven (11) subjects enrolled, nine completed at least one session and seven (six of whom were obese) had data from pre- and post-course time points available for analysis. Results: Statistically significant reductions in WOMAC Pain, WOMAC Physical Function, and AIMS2 Affect were observed when participants' status were compared to their pre-course status. WOMAC Stiffness, AIMS2 Symptoms, Social and Role, Physician GA, and Patient GA measured trends in improvement of symptoms. No adverse events from treatment were reported. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that yoga may provide a feasible treatment option for previously yoga-naive, obese patients >50 years of age and offers potential reductions in pain and disability caused by knee OA. Future studies should compare yoga to other nonpharmacologic interventions for knee OA, such as patient education or quadriceps-strengthening exercises.

Published 31 August 2005 in J Altern Complement Med, 11(4): 689-93.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Yoga Research Today. All Rights Reserved.