The Rationale of Yoga in Parkinson's Disease: A Critical Review

Abstract

Background: Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly use complementary and alternative medications. Yoga is a mind-body intervention that is being increasingly explored as a tool in the therapeutic armamentarium of PD.

Objective: To critically evaluate the studies and summarize the utility of Yoga in PD.

Material and methods: We performed a systematic literature search in the Medline and Cochrane databases and included randomized controlled trials (RCT) of Yoga in PD. The studies were evaluated for internal validity and the relevant data were extracted.

Results: A total of seven studies were included in the analysis. We collated the data on the changes in motor function, gait and balance parameters, anxiety, depression and quality of life scores observed after intervention (Yoga) in patients with PD and highlighted the limitations of these studies.

Conclusion: Anxiety, depression, and balance issues in PD may benefit from Yoga. Yoga has potential as an add-on therapy in PD.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; Yoga; systematic review.