Effect of yoga intervention among patients undergoing low back pain treatment: A literature review

What helps older people persevere with yoga classes? A realist process evaluation of a COVID-19-affected yoga program for fall prevention

BACKGROUND

Falls among older people are a major global health concern. This process evaluation investigates the experience of participants aged 60+ in a yoga program aimed at preventing falls which transitioned from studio-based classes to online classes in response to COVID-19 restrictions. We sought to understand how the Successful AGEing (SAGE) yoga program functioned in both settings and as a hybrid program, and to explain why it worked well for most participants.

METHODS

Realist process evaluation was used to explore the factors that facilitated a successful transition for most participants, and to consider why it did not work for a minority. This approach develops program theories that describe which mechanisms an intervention is (or is not) activating, and how this is mediated by context to generate process outcomes. Data included interviews with participants (n = 21) and yoga instructors (n = 3), self-report feedback forms (n = 46), observation of classes and routine process measures.

RESULTS

Factors that facilitated a successful transition for most participants included the quality of yoga instruction, the program format and inherent characteristics of yoga. Gains in transitioning online included continuity and greater convenience. Losses included perceived reduction in the effectiveness of yoga instruction. There were greater challenges for people struggling with pain and in disadvantageous home environments. We identified six program theories configured around 16 mechanisms: 1. It's worth the effort and 2. In expert hands (these had the same mechanisms: value expectancy, therapeutic alliance and achievement/mastery), 3. A communal experience (these mechanisms were shared experience, social connection, social comparison and peer checking), 4. Putting yoga within reach (accessibility, convenience, gratitude), 5. Building yoga habits (purposeful structure, momentum, accountability and continuity), and 6. Yoga's special properties (embodiment and mindfulness).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that online delivery of a yoga program for people aged 60+ retained much of the value of a face-to-face program for the majority of participants, and increased the value for some. The structured, communal nature of an organised group program delivered by a skilled instructor, together with yoga's intrinsic focus on mindfulness, facilitated continued engagement and perceived health benefits, despite the change in delivery mode.

A systematic review of the effectiveness of yoga on pain, physical function, and quality of life in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions

OBJECTIVES

Exercise interventions suitable for older adults can help to slow and manage age-related conditions. This systematic review looks at age-related musculoskeletal conditions in a population with a mean age over 50 years, evaluating the effectiveness of yoga for pain, physical function, and quality of life.

METHODS

CENTRAL,CINAHL, Pubmed, PsycInfo, SCOPUS, Sports Discus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar were searched. Study selection and quality screening using the Cochrane risk of bias tool were conducted by two reviewers to mitigate bias. PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting and reporting the review.

RESULTS

11 studies met inclusion criteria with a total sample of 2221 (≥70% female). Eight studies measured pain, six showing significant effectiveness (p=≤0.05), for lower limb osteoarthritis (OA), hand OA, and neck pain. Nine studies measured physical function, four showing significant effects, for lower limb OA and sarcopenia. Significant quality of life effects were found for restless leg syndrome compared to baseline.

CONCLUSION

Moderate evidence was found for pain effects, generalisable for OA based on sub-group analysis. Effective trials were mostly short-term using at minimum one 60-min group class, and an average of four 30-min home practice sessions weekly. Findings support the use of props and modifications to address age-related physical limitations. Yoga was well-received with good adherence, but effects on a par with other exercise. There was an absence of quality of life effects in short term. Mixed methods studies could lead to further insight into the qualitative aspects of yoga practice for older adults.

Systematic review on the incidence of low back pain as well as on the rehabilitation treatment methods used

Introduction. Low back pain is a growing condition both in terms of sampling and incidence, reaching to affect any of us at some point. Material and method. In order to write the article, four international libraries were used, where search criteria were used such as: "low back pain", "low back pain incidence" and "low back pain treatment". The articles used in this paper were carefully selected according to their relevance for this study, but only considered articles published in 2020. Results and discussions. The obtained results indicated that both physical therapy and physiotherapy have beneficial effects in ameliorating the symptoms generated by low back pain, but due to the lack of an optimal protocol patients turn to alternative therapies that have shown greater efficacy than physical therapy in amelioration. symptoms generated by low back pain. Conclusions. The lack of an optimal physiotherapeutic treatment protocol causes patients to turn to alternative therapies that are more effective, as well as a lower cost per treatment.