Keywords

bone mineral density, exercise, osteoporosis, Wollf's law, yoga

 

Authors

  1. Fishman, Loren M. MD, BPhil(Oxon)

Abstract

Context: More than 200 000 000 people suffer from osteoporosis or osteopenia worldwide. An innocuous and inexpensive treatment would be welcome.

 

Study design: Serial controlled repeated measure.

 

Patients: Eighteen serial patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia, average age 68 years.

 

Methods: Qualifying blood and urine tests and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan preceding 10-minute daily yoga. DEXA scan repeated after 2 years.

 

Outcome Measurement: Comparison of pre- and postyoga DEXA scans, injuries.

 

Results: Yoga practitioners gained 0.76 and 0.94 points for spine and hips, respectively, on the T-scale when compared with controls (P = .01). Five patients with osteopenia were reclassified as normal; 2 patients with osteoporosis are now osteopenic. There were no injuries.

 

Conclusion: Yoga appears to be an effective way to build bone mineral density after menopause.