Yoga-mindfulness for Pain Management in Inflammatory Arthritis

Yoga-mindfulness for Pain Management in Inflammatory Arthritis - a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

This study evaluates the potential effects on pain, pain-related symptoms and quality of life of a yoga-mindfulness program, compared to patient education and physiotherapy, for patients with inflammatory arthritis and persistent pain problems.

Earlier studies has indicated that body-mind therapies such as yoga and tai chi might be beneficial in the management of chronic pain syndromes. Chronic pain affects a large number of patients with inflammatory arthritis. Effective treatments are lacking for this patient group, so new treatment strategies are warranted.

The study is designed as randomized controlled trial where participants are allocated on a 1:1 ratio to either a 15 week intervention program of yoga-mindfulness or 15 weeks of patient education and mild physiotherapy.

Study outcomes include pain levels and other pain-related features such as fatigue, sleep problems, mood disturbances and functional disability as well as measurements of health-related quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subject is 18 years of age or older
• Subject has a diagnosis of either rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis
• Subject has a total score on SIQR above 33
• Subject has not changed anti-rheumatic or analgetic treatment strategies during the three months preceding study inclusion (dose changes of ongoing treatments are accepted)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subject has another medical condition that might prevent the subjects full participation in the interventions
• Subject has more than four swollen joints
• Subject has a C-Reactive Protein more than 20 mg/L
• Subject is currently practicing yoga or has practiced yoga regularly during the last six months prior to study inclusion
• Subject does not speak Swedish
• Subject is unwilling to comply with the study protocol
• Subject is considered, by the investigator, to be an unsuitable candidate for the study