The Effect of a Short-Period Treatment of Yoga in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that affect patients' physical, cognitive and emotional domains. Current empirical research has provided large evidences showing that the practice of yoga among people with MS (PwMS) is associated with benefits and positive outcomes on these domains (e.g. decreased pain, reduced depression and fatigue, improved muscle strength flexibility and relaxation, lower levels of stress, improved quality of life). However, usually most of studies evaluated the effects after a long period of treatment, on average from 12 to 24 weeks (two to three sessions a week) . Thus, up to now the effects of yoga on a shorter treatment duration are unknown although it could be interesting to take into account for the future possible integration of this practice in the individual rehabilitative plans.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a short-period treatment of yoga (at least 15 sessions in 6 weeks, 5 sessions each 2 weeks) on these domains. 

Methods: We enrolled 20 Italian PwMS according to inclusion criteria (EDSS < 5; no comorbidities; age 18-65 years). Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 10 each. The experimental group (EXP) performed yoga exercises whereas control group (CTRL) performed no exercise (or other rehabilitative treatments) during the same period of 6 weeks. 

Results: Groups did not differ for age (EXP, 44.80 ± 15.10y; CTRL, 48.00 ± 14.03y), disease duration (EXP, 10.00 ± 9.33y; CTRL, 12.50 ± 7.21y), EDSS (EXP, 2.85 ± 1.68y; CTRL, 2.95 ± 1.48y) and disease course (both groups of 8 relapsing-remitting and 2 secondary progressive). RM-ANOVA showed that all the outcome measures were not significantly different at the baseline between groups, whereas they were found significantly different (p<0.05) immediately after the last session of yoga. In fact, EXP group improved 2MWT, MFIS, MSIS-29, SDMT, HADS and Life Satisfaction Index.

Conclusions: By confirming previous findings, results show that yoga improves physical and cognitive activity and emotional status of PwMS; interestingly, the effect is present already after a short-period of treatment. However, to draw more useful conclusions about the potential use and benefits of yoga in managing the symptoms of MS, future research should include more rigorously designed trials.