Yoga improves quality of life and fall risk-factors in a sample of people with chronic pain and Type 2 Diabetes

Assess pre to-post outcomes for people with chronic pain and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) randomized to an 8-week yoga intervention or usual care. Participants were included if they self-reported: chronic pain; T2DM; >18 years old; no exercise restrictions or consistent yoga; and consented to the study. After yoga, there were significant improvements in: Brief Pain Inventory pain interference (49 ± 15.00 vs. 41.25 ± 19.46, p = .034); Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (14.2 ± 14.1 vs. 20.4 ± 13.5, p = .03); upper extremity strength (7.7 ± 6.3 vs.10.8 ± 6.5, p = .02); lower extremity strength (4.1 ± 3.8 vs. 6.7 ± 4.8, p = .02); and RAND 36-item Health Survey quality of life scores (81.1 ± 7.7 vs. 91.9 ± 8.9, p = .04). Balance scores became significantly worse during the 8 weeks for people randomized to the control (27.1 ± 9.9 vs. 21.7 ± 13.4, = p.01). Data from this small RCT indicates yoga may be therapeutic and may improve multiple outcomes in this seemingly at-risk population. NCT03010878. •Prior work in yoga and diabetes are reviewed.•Yoga was offered to people with both chronic pain and diabetes.•Fall rates were higher than expected for the study sample.•Yoga that was focused on pain management also improved fall related risk factors and quality of life.