title: "I'm more in balance": a qualitative study of yoga for patients with chronic neck pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the perceived influence of yoga on body perception and psychosocial aspects of life for patients with chronic neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study was conducted using semistandardized interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  The interventions and interviews took place in a referral center's research department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen (18) patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain were recruited from a larger randomized controlled trial of yoga for chronic neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants attended 90 minutes of Iyengar yoga once a week for 9 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a drawing of their neck and shoulder regions to reflect their subjective body perceptions before and after their yoga program. Semistandardized interviews were used to explore their body perception, emotional status, everyday life and coping skills, as well as any perceived changes in these dimensions postparticipation. An interdisciplinary group analyzed the study data using content analysis techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported change on five dimensions of human experience: physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social. Physically, most participants cited renewed body awareness, both during their yoga practice and in their daily lives. Such change was echoed in their postparticipation body drawings. Cognitively, participants reported increased perceived control over their health. Emotionally, they noted greater acceptance of their pain and life burdens. Behaviorally, they described enhanced use of active coping strategies. Finally, socially, they reported renewed participation in an active life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants linked yoga to change on all dimensions of human experience, attributing reduced pain levels, increased coping ability, better pain acceptance and increased control to it. Body awareness appeared a key mechanism in these changes.
authors: Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. h.cramer@kliniken-essen-mitte.de
authors: Holger
authors: H
authors: Cramer
authors: Romy
authors: R
authors: Lauche
authors: Heidemarie
authors: H
authors: Haller
authors: Jost
authors: J
authors: Langhorst
authors: Gustav
authors: G
authors: Dobos
authors: Bettina
authors: B
authors: Berger
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga