Yoga vs Strengthening Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis Save

There is limited evidence on the comparative effectiveness of yoga and strengthening exercises in managing knee osteoarthritis (OA).

This single-center enrolled adults (> 40 years or older) with knee OA and knee pain (>40/100); patients were randomized 1:1 to the yoga and strengthening exercise groups. The primary outcome was improvement in the VAS pain score over 12 weeks.

A total of 117 KOA patients were treated (mean age of 62 years; 73% female). Their mean baseline VAS knee pain score of 53.8, indicated moderate knee pain. 

• noninferiority: between-group mean difference in VAS knee pain change was −1.1 mm (NS) 
• Yoga: 7/27 secondary outcomes were statistically significant in favor of yoga. The yoga group showed modestly greater improvements for WOMAC pain, WOMAC function, WOMAC stiffness, patient global assessment, and 40-m fast-paced walk test 
  • yoga group had a modestly greater improvement (than strengthening group) for depression at 12 weeks, and quality of life at 24 weeks. 

In KOA patients, yoga was found to be noninferior to strengthening exercises, suggesting that integrating yoga as an alternative or complementary exercise option in clinical practice may help in managing knee OA.