Taking part in a six-week yoga program improved self-reported physical activity and sleep quality, and reduced fatigue among people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a new study from Turkey.
In a randomized clinical trial (NCT06128668), researchers assessed the benefits of yoga sessions, compared to no intervention, in 60 people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of MS.
According to the team, “yoga may help manage symptoms and improve health” among MS patients.
Based on their findings, the team concluded that “yoga may be considered a beneficial complementary approach in the care and symptom management of patients with MS.” Further, “integrating yoga into routine care empowers patients to actively participate in their health management,” the researchers wrote.
The study, “Effects of yoga on sleep quality, fatigue and physical activity levels in patients with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial,” was published in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.
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In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath, a protective coating around nerve fibers that ensures the efficient transmission of nerve signals. The loss of myelin, or demyelination, leads to a range of symptoms related to disrupted nerve signaling. A key complaint for many patients is poor sleep. Fatigue is also a common symptom, affecting about 8 of every 10 people with MS.
Yoga is a mind-body practice that integrates physical postures, controlled breathing, meditation, and relaxation techniques to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s long been thought that this practice may help manage MS symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life.
Participants had 2-hour yoga sessions, twice per week
To learn more, the research team conducted a clinical study that analyzed the effects of a six-week yoga program on sleep quality, fatigue, and physical activity levels in people with relapsing-remitting MS. Participants were randomly assigned to 12 yoga sessions, engaging in hour-long sessions twice per week, or as part of a control group with no intervention.
The program involved a range of standing, lying, and sitting breathing and stretching exercises. Its goal was to enhance respiratory function, reduce stress, improve blood circulation, encourage flexibility, and ease anxiety. Relaxation techniques for emotional relaxation and to enable a sense of accomplishment were also used. A brochure with details and instructions was provided. Training was performed online and independently at home.
Each group enrolled 30 participants. Almost all were women (100% in the yoga group and 86.7% in the controls), and the mean age was 34.6 in the yoga group and 37.4 in the controls. The mean time since diagnosis was almost nine years in the yoga group and eight years in the control group.
Patients who completed the yoga program showed substantially better sleep quality than the controls, assessed by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index score. In particular, participants in the yoga program had a total PSQI score of 3.96 compared with 10.1 in the control group. Scores lower than five indicate good sleep quality.
Sleep improved across all domains, including sleep duration, time to fall asleep, time asleep while in bed, and sleep disturbances. The use of sleeping pills was reduced, as was dysfunction during daytime, the data showed.
These findings highlight the value of incorporating yoga into nursing care, as nurses play a key role in encouraging and supporting patients to adopt nonpharmacological interventions that complement medical treatment.
Patients in the yoga group also had less fatigue after completing the program, evaluated with the use of the fatigue severity scale (3.33 vs. 4.81). Scores of four or higher indicate severe fatigue.
Physical activity, assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF), was significantly higher in the yoga group compared with the group with no intervention. These improvements occurred across several types of physical activity, including walking, moderate activity, and vigorous activity. Gains were also seen for daily functional movements, such as those involved in household tasks, the data showed.
The researchers suggested that yoga be used alongside other therapies.
“These findings highlight the value of incorporating yoga into nursing care, as nurses play a key role in encouraging and supporting patients to adopt nonpharmacological interventions that complement medical treatment,” the team concluded.
