Is yoga effective for pain? A systematic review of randomized clinical trials

SummaryObjectiveThe objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment option for any type of pain.MethodSeven databases were searched from their inception to February 2011. Randomized clinical trials were considered if they investigated yoga in patients with any type of pain and if they assessed pain as a primary outcome measure. The 5-point Jadad scale was used to assess methodological quality of studies. The selection of studies, data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.ResultsTen randomized clinical trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality ranged between 1 and 4 on the Jadad scale. Nine RCTs suggested that yoga leads to a significantly greater reduction in pain than various control interventions such as standard care, self care, therapeutic exercises, relaxing yoga, touch and manipulation, or no intervention. One RCT failed to provide between group differences in pain scores.ConclusionsIt is concluded that yoga has the potential for alleviating pain. However, definitive judgments are not possible.

► The evidence that yoga alleviates pain is positive and encouraging.
► Due to the low quantity and quality of the existing evidence any definite claims should be treated with caution.
► More research seems warranted to more extensively explore the effectiveness of yoga interventions.