A systematic review of the effectiveness of yoga on pain, physical function, and quality of life in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions

Denham‐Jones, L; Gaskell, LE; Spence, NJ; Pigott, TMC

Abstract

Objectives
Exercise interventions suitable for older adults can help to slow and manage age-related conditions. This systematic review looks at age-related musculoskeletal conditions in a population with a mean age over 50 years, evaluating the effectiveness of yoga for pain, physical function, and quality of life.

Methods
CENTRAL,CINAHL, Pubmed, PsycInfo, SCOPUS, Sports Discus, Web of Science Core Collection, and Google Scholar were searched. Study selection and quality screening using the Cochrane risk of bias tool were conducted by two reviewers to mitigate bias. PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting and reporting the review.

Results
11 studies met inclusion criteria with a total sample of 2221 (≥70% female). Eight studies measured pain, six showing significant effectiveness (p=≤0.05), for lower limb osteoarthritis (OA), hand OA, and neck pain. Nine studies measured physical function, four showing significant effects, for lower limb OA and sarcopenia. Significant quality of life effects were found for restless leg syndrome compared to baseline.

Conclusion
Moderate evidence was found for pain effects, generalisable for OA based on sub-group analysis. Effective trials were mostly short-term using at minimum one 60-min group class, and an average of four 30-min home practice sessions weekly. Findings support the use of props and modifications to address age-related physical limitations. Yoga was well-received with good adherence, but effects on a par with other exercise. There was an absence of quality of life effects in short term. Mixed methods studies could lead to further insight into the qualitative aspects of yoga practice for older adults.

Citation

Denham‐Jones, L., Gaskell, L., Spence, N., & Pigott, T. (2022). A systematic review of the effectiveness of yoga on pain, physical function, and quality of life in older adults with chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Musculoskeletal Care, 20(1), 47-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1576

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 14, 2021
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 15, 2021
• Journal: Musculoskeletal Care
• Print ISSN: 1478-2189
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-0681
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 47-73
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1576
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/msc.1576
• Related Public URLs: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1557-0681
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** Article version: VoR ** From Crossref journal articles via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: pissn 1478-2189; eissn 1557-0681 **History: issued 14-06-2021; published_online 14-06-2021 **License for this article: starting on 14-06-2021, , http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor