Effect of a home-based simple yoga program in child-care workers: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of a brief, simple, home-based yoga program on body pain and health status in child-care workers.

Design: This was a randomized, controlled trial comparing a home-based yoga group and a control group.

Participants: The trial comprised 98 healthy female nursery school and kindergarten teachers.

Interventions: A DVD of a simple home-based yoga program was provided for a period of 2 weeks.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the reported change in body pain at 2 weeks (after intervention) and 4 weeks (follow-up). The secondary outcome measure was the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ30) score and physical function.

Results: The 67 yoga group participants reported improved menstrual pain at 4 weeks; menstrual pain was reduced from 57.0 ± 27.8 to 37.8 ± 26.7 in the yoga group, versus 52.4 ± 36.5 to 46.9 ± 32.1 in the control group (change from baseline in the yoga group versus change from baseline in the control group, -15.3 points; p=0.044). The total GHQ30 score and the GHQ subscale scores ("sleep disturbance" and "anxiety and dysphoria") improved significantly at 4 weeks in the yoga group, but not in the control group. In the good-adherence group, low back pain improved during the intervention (p=0.006) and follow-up (p=0.001) periods. Menstrual pain was also improved (p=0.044). No adverse events were observed.

Conclusions: A home-based simple yoga program may improve the health status of child-care workers.