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[2008 updates are highlighted in red]
| Description: |
Yoga is a mind-body approach that was developed in India thousands of years ago. Yoga, which is derived from the Sanskrit word for union, is meant to unite the mind, body, and spirit. In hatha yoga, one of the more popular forms of yoga, the three main components are breathing, meditation, and posture. Yoga may be modified for people with disabilities. |
| Rationale: |
According to traditional Indian teaching, yoga increases the body’s stores of vital energy, known as prana, and facilitates the flow of energy. From a Western perspective, yoga may be viewed as a multifaceted approach that may potentially produce emotional benefits resulting from relaxation, and physical benefits, such as increased strength and decreased muscle stiffness, as a result of performing the yoga postures. |
| Evaluation: |
In spite of yoga’s popularity in some countries, there are very limited clinical studies of its effects in MS and other diseases. There is one well-designed, controlled trial of yoga in MS. In this six-month study, 69 people with MS were randomised to a control group that received no intervention, or to groups that were treated with conventional exercise or yoga. Relative to the control group, the yoga and conventional exercise groups had significant decreases in fatigue on the basis of two different measures. There were no consistent effects of yoga or conventional exercise on cognitive function or mood. It is not possible to determine whether yoga’s effects on fatigue were the result of the yoga itself or resulted from other factors, such as a placebo response or benefits from being in a social setting. |
| Risks: |
Yoga is generally safe. In the clinical trial of yoga and MS, it was not associated with any serious adverse effects. Difficult postures or vigorous exercise should be avoided or done with caution by pregnant women, people with significant heart, lung, or bone conditions, or people with heat sensitivity, fatigue, and decreased balance. |
| Costs: |
Yoga is a low-cost therapy, especially when it is done in groups. |
| Committee opinion: |
In the opinion of the Committee, yoga is a low-cost, generally well-tolerated therapy that may decrease fatigue. Additional studies of yoga in MS are needed. |
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