Skip to main content

Effects of Modified Hatha Yoga in Industrial Rehabilitation on Physical Fitness and Stress of Injured Workers

Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation volume 25, pages 669–674 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of 8 weeks of modified hatha yoga training on physical fitness and stress level in injured workers. Methods Eighteen male and female injured workers, age between 18 and 55 years, participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: an additive hatha yoga training to routine industrial rehabilitation program group (HYG: n = 9) and a control group with no yoga training (CG: n = 9). A modified hatha yoga protocol was designed for this population by two certified yoga instructors, approved by a physical therapist, and conducted for 1 h, three times weekly for 8 weeks. Physical fitness variables including flexibility of lower back and hamstrings, hand grip strength and lung capacity and scores of sensitivity to stress were evaluated at the time of recruitment and after 8 weeks of intervention. Results The values of all physical fitness variables and stress scores were no significant difference between the two groups at baseline. Significant post-yoga improvements for HYG group were noted in flexibility, hand grip strength, and vital capacity (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant change in the CG group. Stress scores did not change as a result of hatha yoga training. Conclusion An 8-week modified hatha yoga training experience exerted therapeutic effects on physical fitness variables including flexibility of lower back and hamstrings, hand grip strength and vital capacity, but not on stress level in injured workers. These findings indicate that hatha yoga can be a beneficial adjunct to routine physical therapy treatment in industrial rehabilitation programs.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. The Thai’s Social Security Office. Annual Report 2009. Social Security Office, Thailand. 2009. http://www.sso.go.th/wpr/eng/annual-report.html. Accessed 20 Feb 2015.

  2. Scott-Marshall HK, Tompa E, Wang Y, Liao Q. Long-term mortality risk in individuals with permanent work-related impairment. Can J Public Health. 2014;105(5):e330–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Nicholas MK. Work Hardening/Conditioning, Functional Restoration and Pain Management Programs for Injured Workers With No ‘Red Flag’ Conditions. June, 2002.

  4. Pichora D, Grant H. Upper extremity injured workers stratified by current work status: an examination of health characteristics, work limitations and work instability. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2010;1(3):124–31.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Fenner P. Returning to work after an injury. Aust Fam Physician. 2013;42(4):182–5.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Javnbakht M, Kenari RH, Ghasemi M. Effects of yoga on depression and anxiety of women. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2009;15(2):102–4. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.01.003.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Tracy BL, Hart CE. Bikram yoga training and physical fitness in healthy young adults. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(3):822–30. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825c340f.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Galantino ML, Bzdewka TM, Eissler-Russo JL, Holbrook ML, Mogck EP, Geigle P, et al. The impact of modified Hatha yoga on chronic low back pain: a pilot study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2004;10(2):56–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Telles S, Dash M, Naveen KV. Effect of yoga on musculoskeletal discomfort and motor functions in professional computer users. Work. 2009;33(3):297–306. doi:10.3233/WOR-2009-0877.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Garfinkel MS, Singhal A, Katz WA, Allan DA, Reshetar R, Schumacher HR Jr. Yoga-based intervention for carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized trial. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1601–3.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Yurtkuran M, Alp A, Dilek K. A modified yoga-based exercise program in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled study. Complement Ther Med. 2007;15(3):164–71. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2006.06.008.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Madanmohan, Thombre DP, Balakumar B, Nambinarayanan TK, Thakur S, Krishnamurthy N, et al. Effect of yoga training on reaction time, respiratory endurance and muscle strength. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1992;36(4):229–33.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Bhonde MS, Bagade AH, Dhanavijay AD. Effect of suryanamaskar on handgrip strength in healthy volunteers in the age group of 20–40 years. Int J Recent Trends Sci Technol. 2014;12(2):236–8.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Panwar S, Chourishi A, Makwana J. Effect of pranayama (yoga) on pulmonary function test of young healthy students. Int J Pharma Bio Sci. 2012;3(4):12–6.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Raub JA. Psychophysiologic effects of Hatha Yoga on musculoskeletal and cardiopulmonary function: a literature review. J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(6):797–812. doi:10.1089/10755530260511810.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sareen S, Kumari V, Gajebasia KS, Gajebasia NK. Yoga: a tool for improving the quality of life in chronic pancreatitis. World J Gastroenterol. 2007;13(3):391–7.

    PubMed Central  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Evans S, Sternlieb B, Zeltzer L, Tsao J. Iyengar yoga and the use of props for pediatric chronic pain: a case study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2013;19(5):66–70.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Middleton K, Acevedo A, Dietz L, Brandon Z, Andrade R, Wallen G. Yoga and physical rehabilitation medicine: a research partnership in integrative care. J Yoga Phys Ther. 2013. doi:10.4172/2157-7595.1000149.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Greendale GA, McDivit A, Carpenter A, Seeger L, Huang MH. Yoga for women with hyperkyphosis: results of a pilot study. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(10):1611–4.

    PubMed Central  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. World Health Organization. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10)-2015-WHO Version for;2015. 2015. http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2015/en. Accessed 20 Feb 2015.

  21. American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Mahatnirunkul S, Pumpaisanchai W, Tarpunya P. The construction of Suan Prung stress test for Thai population. Bull Suan Prung. 1997;13(3):1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kongsomboon K. Psychological problems and overweight in medical students compared to students from Faculty of Humanities, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand. J Med Assoc Thail. 2010;93(Suppl 2):S106–13.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Chalernvanichakorn T, Sithisarankul P, Hiransuthikul N. Shift work and type 2 diabetic patients’ health. J Med Assoc Thai. 2008;91(7):1093–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Field T. Yoga clinical research review. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011;17(1):1–8. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.09.007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Tran MD, Holly RG, Lashbrook J, Amsterdam EA. Effects of Hatha Yoga practice on the health-related aspects of physical fitness. Prev Cardiol. 2001;4(4):165–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Convertino VA. Exercise responses after inactivity. In: Sandler H, Vernikos J, editors. Inactivity: physiological effects. Orlando: Academic; 1986. p. 149–91.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  28. Blumenthal JA, Emery CF, Madden DJ, George LK, Coleman RE, Riddle MW, et al. Cardiovascular and behavioral effects of aerobic exercise training in healthy older men and women. J Gerontol. 1989;44(5):M147–57.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Dash M, Telles S. Improvement in hand grip strength in normal volunteers and rheumatoid arthritis patients following yoga training. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2001;45(3):355–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Madanmohan, Mahadevan SK, Balakrishnan S, Gopalakrishnan M, Prakash ES. Effect of six weeks yoga training on weight loss following step test, respiratory pressures, handgrip strength and handgrip endurance in young healthy subjects. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2008;52(2):164–70.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jerath R, Edry JW, Barnes VA, Jerath V. Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(3):566–71. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Birkel DA, Edgren L. Hatha yoga: improved vital capacity of college students. Altern Ther Health Med. 2000;6(6):55–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Hovsepian V, Marandi SM, Kelishadi R, Zahed A. A comparison between yoga and aerobic training effects on pulmonary function tests and physical fitness parameters. Pak J Med Sci. 2013;29(1 Suppl):317–20.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Malathi A, Damodaran A. Stress due to exams in medical students–—role of yoga. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1999;43(2):218–24.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Phoosuwan M, Kritpet T, Yuktanandana P. The effects of weight bearing yoga training on the bone resorption markers of the postmenopausal women. J Med Assoc Thai=Chotmaihet thangphaet. 2009;92(Suppl 5):S102–8.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Everson-Rose SA, Clark CJ. Assessment of Psychosocial Factors in Population Studies. In: Steptoe A, editor. Handbook of behavior medicine methods and applications. New York: Springer; 2010. p. 291.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was funded, in part, by the research grants from Mahidol University (Annual Government Statement of Expenditure 2014). We also thank Mrs. Sirinant Rattanakorn, Director of Industrial Rehabilitation Center, Social Security Office, Ministry of Labour, Pathumthani, Thailand, for her support and encouragement to carry out this study.

Conflict of interest

None.

Informed consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5). Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Sports Science and Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhonpathom, 73170, Thailand

    S. Rachiwong, P. Panasiriwong, W. Widjaja & A. Ajjimaporn

  2. Physical Therapy Unit, Medical Rehabilitation Section, Industrial Rehabilitation Center, Social Security Office, Ministry of Labour, Pathumthani, 12000, Thailand

    J. Saosomphop

Authors
  1. S. Rachiwong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Panasiriwong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Saosomphop
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. Widjaja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Ajjimaporn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Ajjimaporn.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rachiwong, S., Panasiriwong, P., Saosomphop, J. et al. Effects of Modified Hatha Yoga in Industrial Rehabilitation on Physical Fitness and Stress of Injured Workers. J Occup Rehabil 25, 669–674 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-015-9574-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-015-9574-5

Keywords

  • Respiration
  • Flexibility
  • Hand grip strength