Online yoga programs can improve knee function in short term

A study of adults with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee found that a 12-week online yoga program improved knee function in experimental participants. However, the program did not significantly improve knee pain while walking. The results of the study are published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of pain and disability. Exercise can improve pain, function, muscle strength and quality of life for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and is a universal recommendation.

Yoga is an increasingly popular low-trauma exercise that combines static and dynamic postures with mindfulness strategies, making it possibly beneficial for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. 

Researchers at the University of Melbourne referred 212 adults with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee to a 12-week unsupervised online yoga program with an educational component or only online instruction.

They then compared improvements in knee pain while walking and physical function 12 and 24 weeks after starting the program. The researchers found that participants who were assigned yoga successfully completed two-thirds of the program and reported improved knee function and less difficulty with function compared to those who did only education. However, both groups reported similar levels of knee pain when walking. The authors note that participants in the yoga program did not retain benefits in knee function during the optional 12-week period after the initial mandatory program.

According to the authors, their findings suggest that an online unsupervised yoga program is feasible and improves physical function over a 12-week period.

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