Osteoarthritis patients are advised yoga - proven in new study

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among people with osteoarthritis. It is a chronic joint disease that affects more than 595 million people worldwide. Doctors have long recommended exercise as one of the main ways to combat osteoarthritis. But which type of activity is best - classic strength training or yoga?

A new study published in the journal JAMA Network Open has found that yoga is just as effective as strength training. Participants in both groups improved within 12 weeks, and the difference between the two groups was minimal.

Read more: Bedru J. Abafita et al, Yoga or Strengthening Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.3698

The study included 117 participants from Tasmania, Australia. All were diagnosed with moderate to severe knee pain - at least 40 points on a visual pain scale from 0 to 100. The participants were divided into two groups: one group did yoga and the other did strengthening exercises. The first 12 weeks involved two sessions with a trainer and one at home, followed by another 12 weeks of three home sessions per week.

The results showed: knee pain decreased in both groups, and to the same degree. The difference was only 1.1 mm on the pain scale, which is not considered clinically significant. This means that yoga is as good as conventional exercises and can be used in therapeutic practice.

Why it's important
Strength training works by strengthening the muscles around the joint, taking the strain off a sore knee. And yoga improves flexibility, reduces stress and teaches you to work with your breathing. All of this also has a positive effect on pain perception.

Previously, there was little scientific evidence of yoga's effectiveness for osteoarthritis - most studies were small and didn't use clear diagnostic criteria. But a new study is of high quality and confirms: yoga really does help.

The authors note that the inclusion of yoga in rehabilitation programmes may be useful not only for reducing pain, but also for improving general well-being, quality of life and even reducing depression in patients.