RESTORATIVE YOGA PRACTICE IN ARTHRITIS PILOT STUDY RESULTS
Mary Burkhart Denton, DNP. (2020).
Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates, Paradise Valley, Arizona
Augsburg University, Minneapolis Minnesota
Abstract
Objective
Arthritis is a major cause for disability in the United States due to the physical
limitations that it can cause according the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Observation of physical limitations in a private practice rheumatology clinic and personal benefit
from years of yoga practice lead to conducting a pilot study with Iyengar Restorative Yoga to
determine the clinical benefit with regular practice on increasing flexibility, reducing pain,
improving quality-of-life and perceived overall sense of health and well being.
Method
A quasi-experiment, one group pre and posttest design pilot study was conducted. The
Health Assessment Questionnaire was used for measuring physical limitations and quality of life.
The Pain Disability Index was used for measuring the pain level. Assessments were calculated
pre and post exercise intervention. A total of five participants completed the Restorative Yoga
intervention. Three had a diagnosis with rheumatoid arthritis, one a diagnosis with osteoarthritis
and 1 was diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. They were all female
between ages of 28 to 65.
Results
Clinical significance was shown in four of five study participants for increased
flexibility, reduced pain, improved quality-of-life and perception of overall well being. One
participant had no change. Personal comments by study participants supported this finding: One
said “I didn’t know I could practice yoga for exercise”. Three others agreed they had increased
energy after the exercise that lasted through the week between sessions. Attrition was 0%.
Attendance was 100% for four weekly 45, minute Restorative Yoga sessions. There were no
adverse events.
Conclusion
The findings support benefit in increasing flexibility, reducing pain and improving
quality-of-life and perceived overall well being. The limitations of the trial are related to the
small sample size; limited number of yoga sessions offered and varied arthritis diagnosis per
group. Extending the pilot study to a full clinical trial increasing number of participants,
lengthening Yoga sessions offered and separating arthritis diagnosis by group would help to
quantify and provide knowledge for a feasible non pharmacologic intervention to recommend to
individuals with physical limitation from arthritis.
Keywords: Restorative Yoga, Health Assessment
Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index,
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis