Yoga versus Home Exercise Program in Children with Enthesitis Related Arthritis: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare the effects of yoga and home exercise program on lower extremity functional status, pain, and quality of life in children with enthesitis related arthritis (ERA).

METHODS: Twenty-one children with ERA were divided into two groups as yoga (n = 11) and home exercise (n = 10). Yoga group performed supervised yoga exercises twice a week for eight weeks. Home exercise group performed video-based exercises for the same period. Pain in rest and activity, lower extremity functional status, and quality of life were evaluated at baseline and following eight weeks.

RESULTS: The groups were similar at baseline (p > 0.05). All the parameters, except parent reported quality of life, significantly improved in yoga group (p < 0.05), where only stair climb test times significantly improved in home exercise group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Yoga seems promising for improving lower extremity functional status, pain, and quality of life as an exercise intervention in rehabilitation programs of children with ERA.