TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparing yoga, exercise, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain
T2 - A randomized, controlled trial
AU - Sherman, Karen J.
AU - Cherkin, Daniel C.
AU - Erro, Janet
AU - Miglioretti, Diana L.
AU - Deyo, Richard A.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Background: Chronic low back pain is a common problem that has only modestly effective treatment options. Objective: To determine whether yoga is more effective than conventional therapeutic exercise or a self-care book for patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Setting: A nonprofit, integrated health care system. Patients: 101 adults with chronic low back pain. Intervention: 12-week sessions of yoga or conventional therapeutic exercise classes or a self-care book. Measurements: Primary outcomes were back-related functional status (modified 24-point Roland Disability Scale) and "bothersomeness" of pain (11-point numerical scale). The primary time point was 12 weeks. Clinically significant change was considered to be 2.5 points on the functional status scale and 1.5 points on the bothersomeness scale. Secondary outcomes were days of restricted activity, general health status, and medication use. Results: After adjustment for baseline values, back-related function in the yoga group was superior to the book and exercise groups at 12 weeks (yoga vs. book: mean difference, -3.4 [95% CI, -5.1 to-1.6] [P < 0.001]; yoga vs. exercise: mean difference, -1.8 [CI, -3.5 to -0.1] [P = 0.034]). No significant differences in symptom bothersomeness were found between any 2 groups at 12 weeks; at 26 weeks, the yoga group was superior to the book group with respect to this measure (mean difference, -2.2 [CI, -3.2 to - 1.2]; P < 0.001). At 26 weeks, back-related function in the yoga group was superior to the book group (mean difference, -3.6 [CI, -5.4 to - 1.8]; P < 0.001). Limitations: Participants in this study were followed for only 26 weeks after randomization. Only 1 instructor delivered each intervention. Conclusions: Yoga was more effective than a self-care book for improving function and reducing chronic low back pain, and the benefits persisted for at least several months.
AB - Background: Chronic low back pain is a common problem that has only modestly effective treatment options. Objective: To determine whether yoga is more effective than conventional therapeutic exercise or a self-care book for patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized, controlled trial. Setting: A nonprofit, integrated health care system. Patients: 101 adults with chronic low back pain. Intervention: 12-week sessions of yoga or conventional therapeutic exercise classes or a self-care book. Measurements: Primary outcomes were back-related functional status (modified 24-point Roland Disability Scale) and "bothersomeness" of pain (11-point numerical scale). The primary time point was 12 weeks. Clinically significant change was considered to be 2.5 points on the functional status scale and 1.5 points on the bothersomeness scale. Secondary outcomes were days of restricted activity, general health status, and medication use. Results: After adjustment for baseline values, back-related function in the yoga group was superior to the book and exercise groups at 12 weeks (yoga vs. book: mean difference, -3.4 [95% CI, -5.1 to-1.6] [P < 0.001]; yoga vs. exercise: mean difference, -1.8 [CI, -3.5 to -0.1] [P = 0.034]). No significant differences in symptom bothersomeness were found between any 2 groups at 12 weeks; at 26 weeks, the yoga group was superior to the book group with respect to this measure (mean difference, -2.2 [CI, -3.2 to - 1.2]; P < 0.001). At 26 weeks, back-related function in the yoga group was superior to the book group (mean difference, -3.6 [CI, -5.4 to - 1.8]; P < 0.001). Limitations: Participants in this study were followed for only 26 weeks after randomization. Only 1 instructor delivered each intervention. Conclusions: Yoga was more effective than a self-care book for improving function and reducing chronic low back pain, and the benefits persisted for at least several months.
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U2 - 10.7326/0003-4819-143-12-200512200-00003
DO - 10.7326/0003-4819-143-12-200512200-00003
M3 - Article
C2 - 16365466
AN - SCOPUS:33644875797
SN - 0003-4819
VL - 143
SP - 849
EP - 856
JO - Annals of internal medicine
JF - Annals of internal medicine
IS - 12
ER -