Comparison of the effects of yoga and physiotherapy program on quality of life, balance, pain level, and sleep quality in individuals with chronic low back pain

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of yoga and physiotherapy programs on quality of life, balance, pain level and sleep quality in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Forty individuals who were diagnosed with CLBP were included in the study. Individuals were divided into two groups randomly. Yoga program was practiced in first group for 5 days a week over 4 weeks. Physiotherapy program, which is consisting of hotpack, ultrasound and exercise, was practiced in second group for 5 days a week over 2 weeks, following 2 weeks treatment; exercise therapy was continued for 5 days a week over 2 weeks. One Leg Stance test for examination of balance, Visual Analog Scale for assessment of pain severity, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Scale for evaluation of sleep quality, Oswestry Functional Disability Scale for assessment of function and Short Form - 36 for evaluation of quality of life were used in the present study. Measurements were repeated before and after treatment. Results: It was determined that pain severity, balance scores, functional disability and quality of life parameters improved in both groups after treatment (p<0.05). In comparison between the groups, the difference in the severity of pain was found to be significant in favor of the physiotherapy group (p<0.05). No significant difference has been found in quality of sleep in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that both treatment programs had positive effects on balance, pain severity, function and quality of life in individuals with CLBP. In light of the results of the study, yoga can also be recommended to the management of treatment on individuals with CLBP due to the similar positive effects as physiotherapy programs