Crystal L Park1, Erik Groessl2, Meghan Maiya3, Andrew Sarkin3, Susan V Eisen4, Kristen Riley5, A Rani Elwy4. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut Storrs, CT, United States. Electronic address: Crystal.park@uconn.edu. 2. Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States; The Health Services Research Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States. 3. Health Services Research Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States. 4. Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford MA United States; Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States. 5. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut Storrs, CT, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Comparison groups are essential for accurate testing and interpretation of yoga intervention trials. However, selecting proper comparison groups is difficult because yoga comprises a very heterogeneous set of practices and its mechanisms of effect have not been conclusively established. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the control and comparison groups used in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga. RESULTS: We located 128 RCTs that met our inclusion criteria; of these, 65 included only a passive control and 63 included at least one active comparison group. Primary comparison groups were physical exercise (43%), relaxation/meditation (20%), and education (16%). Studies rarely provided a strong rationale for choice of comparison. Considering year of publication, the use of active controls in yoga research appears to be slowly increasing over time. CONCLUSIONS: Given that yoga has been established as a potentially powerful intervention, future research should use active control groups. Further, care is needed to select comparison conditions that help to isolate the specific mechanisms of yoga's effects.
OBJECTIVES: Comparison groups are essential for accurate testing and interpretation of yoga intervention trials. However, selecting proper comparison groups is difficult because yoga comprises a very heterogeneous set of practices and its mechanisms of effect have not been conclusively established. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of the control and comparison groups used in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga. RESULTS: We located 128 RCTs that met our inclusion criteria; of these, 65 included only a passive control and 63 included at least one active comparison group. Primary comparison groups were physical exercise (43%), relaxation/meditation (20%), and education (16%). Studies rarely provided a strong rationale for choice of comparison. Considering year of publication, the use of active controls in yoga research appears to be slowly increasing over time. CONCLUSIONS: Given that yoga has been established as a potentially powerful intervention, future research should use active control groups. Further, care is needed to select comparison conditions that help to isolate the specific mechanisms of yoga's effects.
Authors: Lg Saptharishi; Mb Soudarssanane; D Thiruselvakumar; D Navasakthi; S Mathanraj; M Karthigeyan; A Sahai Journal: Indian J Community Med Date: 2009-10
Authors: R M Raghavendra; R Nagarathna; H R Nagendra; K S Gopinath; B S Srinath; B D Ravi; S Patil; B S Ramesh; R Nalini Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2007-11 Impact factor: 2.520
Authors: Crystal L Park; A Rani Elwy; Meghan Maiya; Andrew J Sarkin; Kristen E Riley; Susan V Eisen; Ian Gutierrez; Lucy Finkelstein-Fox; Sharon Y Lee; Danielle Casteel; Tosca Braun; Erik J Groessl Journal: Int J Yoga Therap Date: 2018-03-02
Authors: Lisa M Betthauser; Jeri E Forster; Ann Bortz; Molly Penzenik; Theresa D Hernández; Nazanin Bahraini; Lisa A Brenner Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Commun Date: 2021-04-02