Effectiveness of Yoga and Combined Exercise in Rheumatoid Arthritis

NCT07072754 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Yoga
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 74
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to elucidate the potential benefits of exercise for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of novel and effective therapeutic approaches, ultimately leading to an improved quality of life for patients. For both patients and healthcare professionals, a clearer understanding of exercise's role in rheumatoid arthritis management will serve as a crucial guide in formulating individualized treatment plans. The results of our study will provide valuable insights to aid in developing strategies aimed at enhancing the physical and mental well-being of individuals afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis.

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA

Keywords

rheumatoid arthritis; yoga; combined exercise; pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Pain Intensity

  The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for pain intensity assessment in all patients. The scale is a 10-cm line, with the leftmost part showing no pain and the rightmost part showing maximum pain. Patients were asked to point to the proper place on the line according to the pain they experienced last week. An increase of 20% or above indicates clinical significance in VAS.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks and 20 weeks after baseline

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Balance Index

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks and 20 weeks after baseline

• Mobility Level

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks and 20 weeks after baseline

• Depression Level

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks and 20 weeks later baseline

• Fatigue Level

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks and 20 weeks later baseline

• Quality of Life Level

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 8 weeks and 20 weeks later baseline

Study Arms (3)

Yoga

EXPERIMENTAL

The yoga program, led by a physiotherapist who is also a certified yoga instructor , with two sessions per week lasting one hour each. It was applied for a total of 8 weeks.

Other: Mind-body therapy

Combined Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients in the exercise group were given a program that included warm-up, low-impact aerobic, strengthening, and cooling phases, totaling 60 minutes, repeated twice a week for eight weeks.

Other: Exercise

Control

NO INTERVENTION

No exercise was applied to the subjects included in the control group.

Interventions

Mind-body therapy OTHER

The yoga program, led by a physiotherapist who is also a certified yoga instructor , with two sessions per week lasting one hour each. Foam yoga blocks, belts, and armless chairs were also available in the classes, where the participants were to support compliance with the program. The yoga program was planned as 10 minutes of centering and breathing practice, 10 minutes of warm-up practice, 30 minutes of supine, standing, sitting, prone, and supine yoga postures, and 10 minutes of relaxation. New postures were introduced every two weeks as the program progressed. After the eight-week session, the participants were encouraged to continue the program at home twice a week

Also known as: Yoga

Yoga

Exercise OTHER

Patients in the exercise group were given a program that included warm-up, low-impact aerobic, strengthening, and cooling phases, totaling 60 minutes, repeated twice a week for eight weeks. Aerobic exercise was performed by standing still for 25 minutes at moderate intensity based on perceived effort. Strengthening exercises included one set of 10 repetitions for each movement. Exercises were progressed according to the modified Borg's scale. Strengthening exercises included core muscles such as the deltoid, abdominals, quadriceps femoris, and hamstrings and were performed using body weight or elastic resistance bands

Combined Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• diagnosis of RA for at least six months according to the ACR criteria
• aged between 18-65 years,
• under stabil medications at least four weeks
• the disease activity score 28 (DAS 28) \<2.6 (Remission period) of each patient at least three months
• ability to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• had pain that prevents general mobility,
• had neurologic, cardiologic (arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, uncontrolled metabolic disease,
• known electrolyte abnormalities,
• systolic BP \> 200 mm Hg or diastolic BP \> 115 mm Hg)
• respiratory pathology,
• pregnancy
• had malignancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Izmir Katip Celebi University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Katip Celebi University Atatürk Education and Research Hospital

Izmir, Karabaglar, 35360, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Pain

Interventions

Mind-Body Therapies; Yoga; Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Spiritual Therapies; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Elif Umay Altas, Associate Professor Doctor

  Izmir Bakircay University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor Doctor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2025
• First Posted: July 18, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2018
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2019
• Study Completion: May 1, 2023
• Last Updated: July 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)