Effect of a Home-Based Simple Yoga Program in Child-Care Workers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of a brief, simple, home-based yoga program on body pain and health status in child-care workers. Design: This was a randomized, controlled trial comparing a home-based yoga group and a control group. Participants: The trial comprised 98 healthy female nursery school and kindergarten teachers. Interventions: A DVD of a simple home-based yoga program was provided for a period of 2 weeks. Outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the reported change in body pain at 2 weeks (after intervention) and 4 weeks (follow-up). The secondary outcome measure was the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ30) score and physical function. Results: The 67 yoga group participants reported improved menstrual pain at 4 weeks; menstrual pain was reduced from 57.0 +/- 27.8 to 37.8 +/- 26.7 in the yoga group, versus 52.4 +/- 36.5 to 46.9 +/- 32.1 in the control group (change from baseline in the yoga group versus change from baseline in the control group, -15.3 points; p = 0.044). The total GHQ30 score and the GHQ subscale scores (sleep disturbance and anxiety and dysphoria) improved significantly at 4 weeks in the yoga group, but not in the control group. In the good-adherence group, low back pain improved during the intervention (p = 0.006) and follow-up (p = 0.001) periods. Menstrual pain was also improved (p = 0.044). No adverse events were observed. Conclusions: A home-based simple yoga program may improve the health status of child-care workers.