ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) signficantly affect day to day activities contributing to signficant disability. Patients with AS often report to have psychological problems and poor quality of life (QoL). This study investigates the effect of a three-month tele-yogic intervention on disease activity, functional index, inflammatory markers, quality of life and mental health measures in patients with AS. METHODS: One hundred and twenty AS patients were assigned to either the yoga intervention group (YG) or the control group (CG). The YG (n = 57) received a 60-min structured yoga module online for 3 months in addition to standard medical care. The CG participants (n = 52) received only standard care during the same period. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Ankylosing Spondylitis-Quality of Life (ASQOL) and psychological and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed at baseline and after three months. RESULTS: YG showed significant improvement in BASDAI (p = 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.0004), and depression (p = 0.001) at three months compared to baseline. The CG showed no significant change in similar outcome measures. At three months, the intervention resulted in a significant improvement in BASDI (-0.79; 95% CI (-1.3, to -0.29); p = 0.0021), BASFI (-0.86, 95% CI (-1.59, to -0.14); p = 0.0193), anxiety (-0.42, 95% CI (-0.84 to -0.01), p = 0.0468), and AS-QoL (-3.37; 95% CI (-5.21 to 1.53); p = 0.0004) compared to the CG. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that yoga helps improve pain, functional index, and mental health in patients with AS. Tele-yoga intervention is feasible and effective in treating AS.
ABSTRACT
Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) often report mental and physical problems and have a poor quality of life (QoL). This study intended to investigate the efficacy of a 3-months tele-yogic intervention on the disease activity, inflammatory markers, and mental health measures in patients with AS. Hundred and twenty AS patients were assigned to either the yoga intervention or control arm. The yoga intervention arm (YG) (n = 57) received a 60-minutes structured yoga module for 3-months on online in addition to standard medical care. The control (CG) participants (n = 52) followed only standard care for the same period. BASDAI, BASFI, ASQOL, psychological and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed at baseline and three months. YG showed significant improvement in BASDAI (p = 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.0004), and depression (p = 0.001) at 3-months compared to the baseline. The CG showed no change. After 3-months, the intervention resulted in a significant improvement in BASDI (-0.79;95% CI (-1.3, to -0.29);p = 0.0021),BASFI (-0.86;95% CI (-1.59, to -0.14);p = 0.0193), anxiety (-0.42;95% CI (-0.84 to -0.01);p = 0.0468), and AS-QoL (-3.37;95% CI (-5.21, to 1.53);p = 0.0004) compared to the CG. The present study suggests that Yoga helps to improve the pain, functional index, and mental health among patients with AS. The tele-yoga intervention is feasible and effective in the management of AS.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Amidst the adversities of the COVID 19 pandemic, the health care system has seen a new paradigm shift towards e-health services. In the advent of catering to the geometrically increasing health care needs of the patients suffering from various chronic health conditions when in social isolation, the need for the shift seems to be paramount. Patients with Ankylosing spondylitis under immunosuppressants and variable degrees of disabilities are at higher risk. This study aims to assess the efficacy of e-Yoga as a treatment option for these patients in need. METHODS: This is a single-center, parallel-group prospective randomized, open-blinded end-point trial. Patients aged between 30 to 50 years will be recruited from the members of Antardhwani: A society of ankylosing spondylitis, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The yoga experts will administer a scientifically developed and validated Yoga module via e-Yoga modalities. A total of 135 patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to Yoga and control groups. Data will be recorded at baseline and three months on disease activity, degree of functional limitations in patients, quality of life, inflammatory biomarkers, depression, and anxiety using Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index(BASFI), AS Quality of Life index(ASQOL), C reactive protein (CRP), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Physical health questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), respectively. DISCUSSION: The study will report the efficacy of e-Yoga in catering to the physical and mental insufficiencies of inpatients with Ankylosing spondylitis amidst Covid 19 pandemic. The study is prospectively registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2020/08/027215).