title: Components and reporting of yoga interventions for musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the content and reporting details of randomised controlled trials of yoga for musculoskeletal conditions through a systematic review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty electronic databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga interventions for musculoskeletal conditions. Eligibility criteria were full-text, peer reviewed articles, of RCTs with yoga as a primary intervention, on a population aged 18 years and over, with a clinical diagnosis of a musculoskeletal condition. Data relating to study characteristics, yoga styles, yoga practices, home practice, and reporting were extracted and summarised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen articles met inclusion criteria, representing five musculoskeletal conditions: low back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, kyphosis, and fibromyalgia. 15 studies were non-residential, and two were residential. Study duration ranged from 1 to 24 weeks; weekly dosage of yoga ranged from 1 to 56h. Five styles of posture-based Hatha yoga were specified. Intervention content included seven yoga practises: postures, breathing, relaxation, meditation, philosophy, chanting, and cleansing practises. Ten studies either encouraged or requested home practice. Reporting details included class plans, posture lists, and diagrams. Due to insufficient detail regarding delivery of the yoga intervention only eight of the 17 interventions were considered replicable as reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of study characteristics and yoga components indicated several areas of homogeneity across studies, suggesting an existing degree of standardisation. However, heterogeneity related to intervention content and reporting impeded determination of intervention content and delivery. Standardisation of content, nomenclature, and reporting details is recommended to enhance protocol transparency, replication, and comparison of intervention effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Electronic address: lesley.ward@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stebbings
authors.affiliation: Group Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cherkin
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: G David
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015013:Yoga
keywords: Complementary medicine; Musculoskeletal conditions; Systematic review; Yoga