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document
Comparison of yoga versus stretching for chronic low back pain : protocol for the Yoga Exercise Self-care ( YES ) trial . BACKGROUND Back pain , one of the most prevalent conditions afflicting American adults , is the leading reason for using complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM ) therapies . Yoga is an increasingly popular " mind-body " CAM therapy often used for relieving back pain and several small studies have found yoga effective for this condition . This study will assess whether yoga is effective for treating chronic low back pain compared with self care and exercise and will explore the mechanisms responsible for any observed benefits . METHODS/DESIGN A total of 210 participants with low back pain lasting at least 3 months will be recruited from primary care clinics of a large healthcare system based in Seattle . They will be randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive 12 weekly yoga classes , 12 weekly conventional therapeutic exercise classes of comparable physical exertion , or a self-care book . Interviewers masked to participants ' treatment group will assess outcomes at baseline and 6 , 12 and 26 weeks after randomization . Primary outcomes will be back-related dysfunction and symptom bothersomeness . In addition , data will be collected on physical measurements ( e.g. , flexion ) at baseline and 12 weeks and saliva samples will be obtained at baseline , 6 and 12 weeks . Information will be collected on specific physical , psychological , and physiological factors to allow exploration of possible mechanisms of action through which yoga could relieve back pain and dysfunction . The effectiveness of yoga will be assessed using analysis of covariance ( using general estimating equations - GEE ) within an intention-to-treat context . If yoga is found effective , further analyses will explore whether yoga 's benefits are attributable to physical , psychological and/or physiological factors . CONCLUSIONS This study will provide the clearest evidence to date about the value of yoga as a therapeutic option for treating chronic back pain , and if the results are positive , will help focus future , more in-depth , research on the most promising potential mechanisms of action identified by this study .
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Intervention_Physical
yoga versus stretching
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Intervention_Physical
complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM ) therapies
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Intervention_Physical
Yoga
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Intervention_Physical
yoga
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Intervention_Educational
self care
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Intervention_Physical
exercise
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Intervention_Physical
12 weekly yoga classes , 12 weekly conventional therapeutic exercise classes of comparable physical exertion , or a
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Intervention_Other
self-care book
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Intervention_Physical
yoga
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Intervention_Physical
yoga
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Intervention_Physical
yoga
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Intervention_Physical
yoga
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Outcome_Pain
chronic low back pain
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Outcome_Pain
Back pain
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Outcome_Pain
relieving back pain
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Outcome_Pain
chronic low back pain
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Outcome_Physical
back-related dysfunction
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Outcome_Physical
symptom bothersomeness
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Outcome_Physical
physical measurements
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Outcome_Physical
flexion
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Outcome_Pain
relieve back pain and dysfunction .
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Outcome_Pain
chronic back pain
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Participant_Condition
chronic low back pain
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Participant_Condition
210
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Participant_Condition
low back pain
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Participant_Condition
chronic back pain