Feasibility and Acceptability of Yoga for Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Yoga is effective for adults with arthritis but unstudied in adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods: A pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week group yoga intervention for adolescents ages 14–18 with JIA. Each 75-min session included breathing techniques, relaxation, mindfulness, and modified yoga postures, using yoga props and a rope wall. An online video was available for home practice. The outcome measures administered at the baseline and at 8 weeks were physician global assessment with joint count, visual assessment with a joint damage assessment index, the Pediatric Quality of Life Arthritis Module 3.0 (Peds QL), and the visual analog scale for pain. Results: Thirteen out of 25 participants attended ≥1 class with a mean of 5.7 ± 2.2 classes. Common reasons for non-enrollment included distance, schedule, and lack of interest. The average distance to classes was 29.0 ± 41.7 miles. There was a trend toward improvement for joint count (p = 0.07), global assessment (p = 0.10), and the Pain and Hurt domain of the Peds QL (p = 0.13), but no other outcomes approached significance. Satisfaction data from an anonymous survey (n = 8) were high in all areas. Conclusions: Adolescents with JIA who attended yoga reported enjoyment, pain reduction, and interest in continued practice with no adverse events. Future studies should consider stakeholder engagement to reduce barriers and larger sample sizes to test the effectiveness.