Effectiveness of yoga asanas over conventional physiotherapy treatment on functional outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Background: The purpose of this study was to check the effectiveness of 4 weeks of yoga asanas exercises on patients with OA knee in comparison with physiotherapy interventions.Methods: Fifty-Eight subjects between 40-55 years of age diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of Knee (OA Knee) was randomly allocated into two groups.Group A received Yoga Program for 4 weeks and Group B received Conventional Physiotherapy for 4 weeks.The outcomes assessed in terms of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), WOMAC, 30Second Chair Stand Test and the knee range of Motion (ROM) at baseline, at end of week 2, and at the end of week 4.Results: Findings showed that all the outcome measures were significantly improved in both the groups.However, there was no significant clinical difference in betweengroup comparisons at the end of week 2, and at the end of week 4.Conclusion: This study concludes that the yoga program is more effective in improving the functionality and mobility outcome measures of the OA knee patients than a conventional physiotherapy program.