title: A pilot study of gentle yoga for sleep disturbance in women with osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of a gentle yoga intervention for sleep disturbance in older women with osteoarthritis (OA) and to collect initial efficacy data on the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants completed an 8-week yoga program that included 75-min weekly classes and 20 min of nightly home practice. Participants were women with OA and symptoms consistent with insomnia. Symptom questionnaires and 1 week of wrist actigraphy and sleep diaries were completed for 1 week pre- and post-intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen women were enrolled of whom 13 completed the study (mean age 65.2 ± 6.9 years). Participants attended a mean of 7.2 ± 1.0 classes and practiced at home 5.83 ± 1.66 nights/week. The Insomnia Severity Index and diary-reported sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, and number of nights with insomnia were significantly improved at post-intervention versus pre-intervention (p < .05). Other sleep outcomes (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, diary-reported total sleep time and wake after sleep onset) showed improvement on mean scores at post-intervention, but these were not statistically significant. Actigraphic sleep outcomes were not significantly changed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the feasibility and acceptability of a standardized evening yoga practice for middle-aged to older women with OA. Preliminary efficacy findings support further research on this program as a potential treatment option for OA-related insomnia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7262, USA.
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Taibi
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Vitiello
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga