The Effects of A Bi-Weekly Yoga Program on Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Disease Activity | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

In spite of significant breakthroughs in therapy, RA patients continue to struggle with getting and staying in remission (RA). The positive effects of yoga on RA have been shown in preliminary research. Yoga has been shown to provide a variety of health advantages, including reductions in pain and improved mood, for those who are already receiving treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Our research was to determine whether or not a twice-weekly yoga program improved disease activity, disability, or quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to a control group. Patients were to be above the age of 18 and have been diagnosed with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology's (ACR) criteria. Data were summarized statistically and shown as meanSD or medianrange. Wilcoxon signedranks test for paired data was used for analysis. Statistically substantial improvements in RA clinical indicators and specifically HAQ scores were seen in our short pilot research of 12 yoga sessions for RA. There was a reduction or elimination of RA drug use in the yoga group. We speculate that more success may be achieved with a longer course of therapy.