Abstract
The objective of this literature review is to gain insight into the effectiveness of yoga as a therapy for musculoskeletal disorders. An extensive search of databases was performed to identify studies on yoga interventions and the effectiveness of yoga in people with the disorders. This review identified intervention studies that used randomized controlled trials, as well as nonrandomized controlled trials, and summarized and synthesized evidence of effectiveness of yoga. A literature search yielded 31 intervention studies that met inclusion criteria and they were included in this review. Based on the reviewed studies, yoga intervention is moderately feasible and is likely to be equal to or superior to exercise or usual care for reducing pain and pain medication use. Methodological limitations are identified in many of the studies, such as sample size, lack of reliable sham controls, and not blinding researchers to treatment and nontreatment groups.
Highlights
One in four Americans has a musculoskeletal complaint that requires medical treatment [1]
The worldwide burden of musculoskeletal conditions has been reported by the World Health Organization [6]: 40% of people over the age of 70 suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee and 80% of these people have some degree of movement limitation, with 25% of this group unable to perform major activities of daily living
The studies were performed in a variety of countries: 18 in the United States, 4 in India, 3 in Turkey, and 1 each in the United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, United Arab Emirates, and Brazil
Summary
One in four Americans has a musculoskeletal complaint that requires medical treatment [1]. Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are the leading cause of disability in the United States and account for more than one half of all chronic conditions in people over 50 years of age in developed countries [2,3]. Musculoskeletal disorders can be defined injuries that affect bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, and soft tissue. These types of injuries develop when there is stress or inappropriate use of a joint or surrounding structure repeatedly over time [4]. The cost of medical treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in the United States is at least $849 billion per year, or 7.7% of the U.S gross domestic product [5]. Research in the area of prevention and self-care for musculoskeletal problems is necessary to lower the health and economic burden of these diseases [7]
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