An online yoga class was effective in a clinical study for people with knee osteoarthritis: within 12 weeks, their knee function improved. You probably have to keep up the training for longer, however, because no clear effects have yet been identified on pain when walking.
212 adults with knee pain due to osteoarthritis completed either a 12-week online yoga course or an online theoretical education. After 12 weeks, those randomly assigned to the yoga class reported significantly better knee function and fewer difficulties than those who only received information regarding osteoarthritis. However, both groups had similar knee pain when walking. Another twelve weeks following the end of the course, the differences between the groups were no longer recognizable.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is common and often causes pain. Exercise is generally recommended for people with osteoarthritis because it can reduce pain and improve function, muscle strength, and quality of life. Yoga combines static and dynamic movements with mindfulness, making it a beneficial form of exercise for people with knee osteoarthritis. There are already some studies that indicate the effectiveness of yoga programs in supervised group classes. The authors consider the results of this study, which were published in the journal “Annals of Internal Medicine”, as an indication that an online yoga course can also be effective without personal supervision.
Which: DOI 10.7326/M22-1761
