Effect of Yoga Therapy on Low Back Pain Management Among Older Adults: Implications for Gerontology Counselling

OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to determine the effect of yoga therapy in managing low back pain (LBP) among older adults.

METHOD: 40 participants who were having low back pain were assessed. All participants completed baseline evaluation before beginning the Yoga intervention and at 6, 12 and 18 weeks. Participants completed a questionnaire titled Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ). The statistical tool used for data analysis was within-and-between subjects ANOVA.

RESULTS: The finding showed no significant difference in the baseline assessment for LBP between the treatment group and the waitlisted control group, F(1,38) = 2.697, P=.000, η2 = .066. The posttest assessment at 6th week revealed a significant reduction of LBP among older adults in the yoga treatment group compared with those in the waitlisted control group, F(1,37) = 3209.376, P = .000, η2 = .989. The assessment at 12th week revealed significant reduction in LBP among older adult in the yoga treatment group compared with those in the waitlisted control group, F(1,36) = 2389.154, P = .000, η2 = .985. The assessment at 18th week further revealed a significant reduction in LBP among older adult in the yoga treatment group compared with those in the waitlisted control group, F(1,36) = 2775.162, P = .000, η2 = .987.

CONCLUSION: Yoga therapy is an effective intervention for managing low back pain among older adults. Thus, gerontology counsellors can provide help to older people with low back pain within the framework of Yoga therapy. Further studies are required to find out and corroborate the efficacy of Yoga Therapy in managing low back pain among older adults.