Studies as far back as 1975 suggest that yoga poses improve function in people who suffer from chronic low back pain, while other research has indicated practicing yoga has health benefits such as reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Now, the largest randomized trial so far to examine the impact of yoga on both the physical and psychological well being of people with arthritis, has concluded that yoga can improve symptoms of arthritis and improve arthritis sufferers’ moods.

Johns Hopkins researchers say as little as eight weeks of yoga class demonstrated physical improvement with two forms of arthritis, knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The study, published in the Journal of Rheumatology, included 75 people with either knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. They were randomly assigned to either a wait list or to eight weeks of yoga classes that they were required to participate in twice a week. As well, they were instructed to practice yoga weekly at home. The arthritis sufferers were assessed for both physical and mental health before and after each session. The researchers had no idea which group the participants were assigned to – the yoga group or the wait list. Those taking part in yoga reported a 20 percent improvement in energy, mood and physical functioning. This included the ability to complete physical tasks at both home and work. Walking speed improved to some extent as well. These improvements were still evident nine months later.

Full report at Yoga and arthritis.