Effect of Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation on Quality of Life in Computer Users with Chronic Low Back Pain
Chametcha Singphow, Satya Prakash Purohit, Padmini Tekur, Suman Bista, Surya Narayan Panigrahy, Balaram Pradhan, Nagarathna Raghuram
Journal of Applied Consciousness Studies 2023 DOI: 10.4103/jacs.jacs_2_22 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 80 |
| Population | Computer users with chronic low back pain in Bengaluru, India (42.6 ± 8.45 years of age; 51 males and 29 females) |
| Interventions | Yoga postures and mindfulness meditation physical exercise |
| Duration | 16 weeks (1 hour daily, 3 days a week; assessments at baseline, 8, and 16 weeks) |
| Measures | WHO QOL-BREF, Straight Leg Raising (SLR) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Yoga combined with mindfulness meditation improved quality of life and spinal flexibility more than physical exercise designed for low back pain in computer users with chronic low back pain. At 16 weeks, the yoga-and-mindfulness group had significantly higher scores on all four WHO QOL-BREF domains (differences of roughly 12 to 17 percent) and on straight leg raising for both legs (about 13 percent right, 12 percent left). |
Abstract
Background: Computer professionals are more prone to chronic low back pain (CLBP) as compared to the normal population. It has been reported that the 1-year prevalence of low back pain (LBP) was 23%38% in the normally active population, while it was 31%54% in computer users.
Objective: To investigate the effect of yoga and mindfulness meditation on the quality of life (QOL) of computer users with CLBP.
Materials and Methods: Eighty computer users (42.6 ± 8.45 years of age; suffering from CLBP since 5.20 ± 3.01 years; 51 males and 29 females) were recruited from Bengaluru, India. Participants were randomized into two groups: Yoga and mindfulness meditation/YM group ( n = 40) and physical exercise/PE group ( n = 40). The YM group practiced an integrated module comprising yoga postures and mindfulness meditation, and the PE group practiced PE designed for LBP. Both groups practiced 1 hour daily, 3 days a week for 16 weeks. WHO QOL-BREF and spinal flexibility (Straight Leg Raising [SLR]) were assessed at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks.
Results: Results of repeated measures-analysis of variance test showed that the scores on QOL physical health (diff = 12.43%, P < 0.001), psychological health (diff = 11.9%, P < 0.001), social relationships (diff = 15.66% P < 0.001), and environment (diff = 17.37% P < 0.001) were significantly higher in YM group as compared to PE group at the end of 16 weeks. Similarly, the scores on the SLR right leg (diff = 12.97%, P < 0.001) and SLR left leg score (diff = 11.71%, P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the YM group as compared to the PE group at the end of 16 weeks.
Conclusion: Yoga with mindfulness meditation is significantly more effective in improving QOL and spinal flexibility in computer users with CLBP as compared to PE designed for LBP.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- Yoga Breathing, Meditation, and Longevity Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences August 1, 2009
- Alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism using18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography and electroencephalography analysis during mindfulness breathing in Anapanasati meditation: A preliminary analysis. World journal of nuclear medicine 2021
- Yoga and physical exercise - a review and comparison. International Review of Psychiatry June 2016
- Mindfulness Meditation-Based Pain Relief Employs Different Neural Mechanisms Than Placebo and Sham Mindfulness Meditation-Induced Analgesia. Journal of Neuroscience November 18, 2015
- Effects of yoga on brain waves and structural activation: A review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice May 1, 2015