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Yoga for rheumatic diseases: a systematic review.
Holger Cramer1, Romy Lauche, Jost Langhorst
1Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Klinik für Naturheilkunde und Integrative Medizin, Knappschafts-Krankenhaus, Am Deimelsberg 34a, 45276 Essen, Germany. h.cramer@kliniken-essen-mitte.de.
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Yoga shows limited evidence for managing rheumatic diseases like fibromyalgia syndrome, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Current research supports only weak recommendations for its ancillary use in these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatic diseases encompass a range of chronic conditions affecting joints and connective tissues.
- Yoga is increasingly explored as a complementary therapy for pain and disability management.
- The evidence base for yoga's efficacy in rheumatic diseases requires rigorous evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the quality of evidence for yoga as an ancillary intervention in rheumatic diseases.
- To assess the strength of recommendations for using yoga in managing conditions such as fibromyalgia syndrome, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, IndMED) up to February 2013.
- Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing yoga with control interventions.
- Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Back Review Group tool, and evidence quality/recommendation strength followed GRADE guidelines.
Main Results:
- Eight RCTs involving 559 participants were analyzed, with two demonstrating a low risk of bias.
- Very low to low evidence suggests potential effects of yoga on pain and disability in fibromyalgia syndrome and osteoarthritis.
- Very low evidence was found for yoga's impact on pain in rheumatoid arthritis, with no evidence for carpal tunnel syndrome. Safety data was not explicitly reported.
Conclusions:
- The current evidence base supports only weak recommendations for the ancillary use of yoga in managing fibromyalgia syndrome, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Further high-quality research is needed to establish definitive recommendations and safety profiles.
- Yoga's role as an adjunct therapy in rheumatology remains limited by insufficient robust evidence.
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