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Yoga Heals: Update on MS and Fibromyalgia
by Lisa B. Minn, PT - October 26, 2010
Evidence for the benefit of yoga for chronic conditions continues to accumulate. Last week I featured highlights from a course I attended at the California Physical Therapy Association’s annual conference in Why See a PT? This week, I’d like to share another gem of information that I discovered at the same conference. Researchers at the Department of Physical Therapy at California State University presented a poster on ‘Ananda Yoga for Persons with Multiple Sclerosis.’ Their research looked at how an 18-week Ananda Yoga program would affect 24 persons with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis (MS). They measured physical outcomes as well as quality of life outcomes.
They found significant improvement in all areas. Leg strength, walking speed, lung capacity and balance all improved with statistical significance. (In fact, most participants maxed out on the Berg Balance Scalewhen they were retested). The quality of life measures that improved included decreased rates of depression and anxiety, decreased impact of fatigue, improved concentration and attention, greater emotional stability and increased feeling of cheerfulness and peace.
Interestingly, the frequency of the subjects' home practice was correlated to better results on the quality of life measures but not to the physical outcome measures. Those who practiced once a week improved physically just as much as those who practiced 4 times a week. Lead author, Dr. Bryan Coleman-Salgado states, “We were also a bit surprised at the physical benefits seen with only once or twice per week practice, vs. more improvements correlating with more quality of life improvements. I think there is enough wiggle in the self-report journals that some of the folks who practiced close to 4 times per week were more focused on meditation, relaxation and affirmations than postures. But we are not sure... my initial speculation is that neuroplastic changes need a higher level of practice or repetition than myoplastic changes and with an inflammatory/autoimmune disease, the "mind" factors are so integral."
I think he’s definitely right about the mind factors being so integral. In other research news, Oregon researchers have published a study in the November issue of the journal Pain that demonstrates that a multi-faceted Yoga program decreased the symptoms of fibromyalgia and improved the function of women with the condition. This is not surprising given the results of the Dutch study I highlighted recently in It Hurts to be Sad and Lonely.
See WebMDfor more information about the Pain study.
Lisa Minn is a licensed physical therapist and yoga enthusiast. She has been incorporating aspects of Yoga and Pilates into her physical therapy practice since 2001 and became a certified yoga instructor in 2004. Her experience ranges from working with athletes at West Point and Georgetown to instructing elderly and wheelchair-bound clients in the fundamentals of Hatha Yoga. Lisa has conducted several lectures and workshops across the US, as well as in Honduras and Peru, where she volunteered her services. She currently resides and practices in Northern California. This and other articles by Lisa can be found at The Pragmatic Yogi.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
Good question, Therapy girl. The MS study was not an RCT so there is no direct comparison available. That would make for an interesting follow up though. It would be interesting to compare the two groups in order to discern the contribution of the 'mind factors' as well as to examine the relative cost-effectiveness.
Therapygirl (Mo)
on 28 Oct 2010 at 11:38 pm
I would like to know if there is any statistical difference b/t yoga and other individualized level appropriate exercise programs for this group?
