Ajendra Narayan Samal¹, Shankar Kanagasabapathy², Josyula Tejaswi³, Satheeshkumar Palanivel⁴, Jagadeeswari Suresh⁵, Ibnu Noufal Kambitta Valappil⁶, Mou Pramanik⁷, Karuppasamy Govindasamy⁸, Carmen Magdalena Camenidis⁹, Vlad Adrian Geantă¹⁰

¹Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Faculty of Yoga Science and Therapy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
²Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Department of Community Medicine, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
³Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Department of Physical Education Pedagogy, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
⁴Bharathidasan University, Department of Physical Education and Yoga, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
⁵Pondicherry University Community College, Department of Physical Education and Yoga, Puducherry, India
⁶Pondicherry University, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Puducherry, India
⁷SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Yoga, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India
⁸Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Department of Sports, Recreation and Wellness, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
⁹Ferdinand I School, Bucharest, Romania
¹⁰Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Arad, Romania

Effects of a Combined Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Nidra Intervention on Pain, Physiological, and Psychological Outcomes in Older Men with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sport Mont 2026, 24(1), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.260209

Abstract

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly affecting older adults. Mind-body interventions show promise for pain management, but evidence for comprehensive yoga programs specifically targeting older men remains limited. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 3-month combined Iyengar yoga and Yoga Nidra (IY+YN) intervention on pain and associated outcomes in older men with chronic low back pain (CLBP). In this randomised controlled study (RCT) conducted in Dhenkanal, Odisha, India, we enrolled 60 men aged 55–65 years with CLBP lasting ≥3 months and pain intensity ≥4 on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Between Jan–Mar 2024, 55 participants were randomized (intervention n=28; control n=27) to either a 3-month IY+YN intervention (three 60- min yoga sessions plus 20–30 min YN weekly) or standard care (prescribed pain management and physical therapy). Primary outcome was change in pain intensity (VAS) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included lumbar ROM, systolic BP, attention (Stroop test), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and QoL (SF-36). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months by blinded assessors. At 3 months, the intervention group showed significantly greater pain reduction compared with controls (mean diff. -2.6, 95% CI -3.3 to -1.9; p<0.001). Improvements were also seen in lumbar flexion (mean diff. 8.3°, p<0.001), systolic BP (mean diff. -7.5 mmHg, p<0.001), Stroop score (mean diff. -8.3 sec, p<0.001), anxiety (mean diff. -8.7, p<0.001), and SF-36 physical and mental scores. Five minor adverse events were reported, resolving within 48 hours. In conclusion, a 3-month combined IY+YN significantly reduced pain and improved physical, psychological, and quality-of-life outcomes in older men with chronic low back pain. The program was safe and well tolerated, supporting its use as an effective adjunct to standard care.

Keywords

yoga, relaxation, back pain, range of motion, quality of life

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