A prospective, controlled multisite trial of yoga in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Aim To investigate whether a structured yoga program improves health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and self‐efficacy in pediatric patients receiving care for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods IBD patients who were 10–17 years old participated in a 12 week, in‐person yoga intervention at two clinical sites. Outcomes were measured at time of consent (T0), start of yoga (T1), and completion of yoga (T2) and 3 months after yoga completion (T3) using the IMPACT‐III, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), and General Self Efficacy (GSE) scales. Results Seventy‐eight patients were enrolled. Fifty‐six patients completed nine or more classes. 73.2% had Crohn's disease and 26.8% ulcerative colitis or IBD‐unclassified. A significant increase in IMPACT‐III was seen from T1 to T3 (mean change of 5.22, SD = 14.33, p = 0.010), in the PedsQL (mean change = 2.3, SD = 10.24, p = 0.050), and GSE (mean change = 1, SD = 3.60, p = 0.046). 85.2% of patients reported yoga helped them to control stress. Long‐term data was available for 47 subjects with 31.9% (n = 15) continuing to practice yoga one to 3 years after study completion. Conclusion This structured 12‐week yoga program showed significant improvements in HRQOL and general self‐efficacy, particularly 3 months after classes were concluded suggesting that yoga's benefits may persist. Yoga is a safe and effective adjunct to standard medical care to improve QOL and self‐efficacy in youth with IBD. What is Known Complementary and alternative medicine use in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is high, particularly in patients with greater disease activity as well as those with a lower quality of life. Yoga has been studied as an intervention in other chronic disease states such as pain disorders, anxiety, and depression. Use of yoga is relatively low in the pediatric IBD population. Pilot studies have demonstrated yoga in pediatric IBD to be feasible and safe. What is New The practice of yoga is associated with improvements in quality of life (QOL) and self‐efficacy scores in youth with IBD. In youth with IBD, improvements in QOL and self‐efficacy persist beyond the period of structured yoga practice.