Yoga improves quality of life and fall risk-factors in a sample of people with chronic pain and Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Assess pre to-post outcomes for people with chronic pain and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) randomized to an 8-week yoga intervention or usual care.

METHODS: Participants were included if they self-reported: chronic pain; T2DM; >18 years old; no exercise restrictions or consistent yoga; and consented to the study.

RESULTS: After yoga, there were significant improvements in: Brief Pain Inventory pain interference (49 ± 15.00 vs. 41.25 ± 19.46, p = .034); Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (14.2 ± 14.1 vs. 20.4 ± 13.5, p = .03); upper extremity strength (7.7 ± 6.3 vs.10.8 ± 6.5, p = .02); lower extremity strength (4.1 ± 3.8 vs. 6.7 ± 4.8, p = .02); and RAND 36-item Health Survey quality of life scores (81.1 ± 7.7 vs. 91.9 ± 8.9, p = .04). Balance scores became significantly worse during the 8 weeks for people randomized to the control (27.1 ± 9.9 vs. 21.7 ± 13.4, = p.01).

CONCLUSION: Data from this small RCT indicates yoga may be therapeutic and may improve multiple outcomes in this seemingly at-risk population.

CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER: NCT03010878.