OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to synthesize the content, structure, and delivery characteristics of effective yoga interventions in addition to standard medical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

The Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines were followed. Seventeen databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing yoga's effectiveness in treating RA outcomes (disease activity score, pain, and function). Meta-analyses and narrative synthesis were conducted.

RESULTS

Nine articles representing five RCTs were included and had low methodological quality scores. Yoga interventions, in addition to standard medical treatment, improved disease activity scores (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.73 to -0.18) and function (SMD -0.42, 95% CI -0.78 to -0.07) but did not effectively reduce pain (SMD -1.06, 95% CI -2.62 to 0.50) compared to standard medical treatment alone. All five RCTs found yoga's beneficial effects on one or more outcomes. All yoga interventions included center-based (supervised, group) sessions, and two included additional home-based (unsupervised, individual) sessions. All interventions incorporated 20 yogic poses (6 standing, 5 supine, 5 prone, and 4 seated), 7 breathing practices, and 4 meditation and relaxation practices. Two interventions offered RA-specific yogic pose modifications. Center-based sessions were delivered at least once weekly for 8 weeks' median duration and around 68 minutes per session. Home-based yoga was recommended thrice weekly for a 10-week mean duration and 40 minutes per session.

CONCLUSION

Yoga might be useful in addition to standard medical treatment for RA. Given previous studies' methodological limitations, a high-quality RCT should be conducted based on our synthesized key features of effective yoga interventions.