Impact of Yoga on Spinal Mobility and Psychological Outcomes in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Prospective Non-randomized Controlled Study.

Authors

Vanessa Bundle, Claudia Bouzas, Alp Temiz, Birte Coppers, Ines Ebner, Paloma Palm von Alten Blaskowitz, Sebastian Rudolf, Anna-Maria Liphardt, Maria Gabriella Raimondo, Andreas Wirsching, Elizabeth Araujo, Filippo Fagni, Andreas Ramming, Georg Schett, Harriet Morf

Published in

Rheumatology international. Volume 46. Issue 7. Jun 22, 2026. Epub Jun 22, 2026.

Abstract

Exercise is a key non-pharmacological component of therapy in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Evidence for yoga as a mind-body intervention remains limited. This study aimed to assess the effects of an 8-week yoga program on mobility, function, disease activity, activity-related competences, and psychological outcomes in axSpA compared with physiotherapy and healthy individuals. We conducted a prospective, non-randomized, study (University Hospital Erlangen, May 2021-January 2024). AxSpA patients participated either in weekly yoga sessions for 8 weeks (approximately 60 min; online format) or received standard individual physiotherapy (≥ 30 min/week). A healthy control group completed the same yoga program. Health related outcomes at baseline and follow-up were measured and changes were analysed using linear mixed-effects models. Seventy-six participants were included. In axSpA, spinal mobility improved in the yoga group (BASMI Δ - 0.31; p = 0.002), while the physiotherapy group worsened (Δ + 0.29; p = 0.003). Physical activity related health competency (control competence Δ + 1.10; p = 0.001; self-regulation Δ + 0.72; p = 0.021) and psychological outcomes improved in the yoga group with increased quality of life mental scores (Δ + 6.62; p < 0.001) and reduced kinesiophobia (TSK Δ - 3.25; p = 0.008); physiotherapy showed no meaningful changes. Disease activity showed a significant decrease in the yoga group (BASDAI Δ -0.44; p = 0.049). Healthy individuals showed similar directional changes with smaller effects. An 8-week yoga intervention was associated with improvements in mobility, psychological outcomes and activity-related competences. Findings support yoga as a complementary treatment addressing both physical and psychological dimensions of axSpA. The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00025215).

PMID:
42329471
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 22 Jun 2026.

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