Chair Yoga for Osteoarthritis

Chair yoga may be a solution for millions of people who have osteoarthritis and find it difficult to keep up with an exercise regimen or regular physical activity. While it is well-documented that regular exercise is important for people who have osteoarthritis, many people cannot stand and perform the exercises—especially those who are older and have osteoarthritis in their lower, weight-bearing joints, such as the hip, knee, ankle, or foot. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (December 2016) was the first randomized controlled trial to consider the effects of chair yoga on pain and physical function in older adults with osteoarthritis. Results revealed that the chair yoga group had a greater reduction in pain and pain interference during their sessions compared to the health education group. The reduction in pain interference lasted 3 months beyond the 8-week period for the chair yoga participants. The chair yoga program also was linked with reduced fatigue and better gait speed during the 8-week study session, but not after.