Yoga for Neck Pain: A Review

Abstract

Objective:

This review aims to assess the effectiveness of yoga for neck pain.

Methods:

Three electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched to identify studies on all types of neck pain. Eligible trials were published in the English language between 2010 and 2019. Eleven studies were included in the review. Primary outcome measures were neck pain intensity and neck disability. Secondary outcome measures were quality of life (QOL), neck range of motion (ROM), and anxiety.

Results:

Eleven studies (eight randomized controlled trials, one qualitative study, one 12-month follow-up, and one pilot study) on 544 patients with neck pain (chronic neck pain, common neck pain, myofascial pain syndrome of the neck, and chronic nonspecific neck pain) comparing yoga with home-based exercise or physiotherapy were included. Almost all studies reported a significant improvement in the yoga group compared with the control group. The results showed that yoga had a positive effect on neck pain intensity, neck disability, QOL, cervical ROM, and anxiety, renewed body awareness, and increased acceptance of pain and disability. The yoga intervention alone or with an integration of physiotherapy has been found to improve neck pain intensity.

Conclusion:

Yoga was found to have a significant effect on neck pain intensity and functional disability, improve pain tolerance, increase ROM, and reduce anxiety and may be a useful intervention for neck pain. However, studies of yoga on neck pain were with different forms of yoga and with varied duration of interventions. More research is needed to draw firm conclusions.