Iyengar yoga for young adults with rheumatoid arthritis: results from a mixed-methods pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that often impacts patient's quality of life. For young people with RA, there is a need for rehabilitative approaches that have been shown to be safe and to lead to improved functioning.


OBJECTIVE
This pilot study investigated the feasibility of a single-arm, group-administered, six-week, biweekly Iyengar yoga (IY) program for eight young adults with RA.


METHODS
IY is known for its use of props, therapeutic sequences designed for patient populations, emphasis on alignment, and a rigorous teacher training. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using a mixed-methods approach that combined quantitative results from standardized questionnaires and qualitative interviews with participants.


RESULTS
Initial attrition was 37% (n=3) after the first week because of scheduling conflicts and a prior non-RA related injury. However, the remaining participants (n=5) completed between 75% and 100% of treatment sessions (mean=95%). No adverse events were reported. The quantitative results indicated significant improvements in pain, pain disability, depression, mental health, vitality, and self-efficacy. Interviews demonstrated improvement in RA symptoms and functioning but uncertainty about whether the intervention affected pain.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings indicate that IY is a feasible complementary approach for young people with RA, although larger clinical trials are needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
Evans
Subhadra
S
Pediatric Pain Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA. suevans@mednet.ucla.edu
Moieni
Mona
M
Taub
Rebecca
R
Subramanian
Saskia K
SK
Tsao
Jennie C I
JC
Sternlieb
Beth
B
Zeltzer
Lonnie K
LK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga