STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a stretch and strength-based yoga exercise program on neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LDH with neuropathic pain influences treatment outcomes negatively. Most yoga poses include the parameters of spinal training and help reduce pain and disability in patients with low back injuries. We hypothesized that yoga positively affects both LDH and neuropathic pain by increasing mobilization, core muscle strength, and spinal and hamstring flexibility. METHODS: In total, 48 patients with neuropathic pain due to LDH were randomly assigned to a control group and a yoga group. All patients underwent a patient education program. In addition, the selected yoga exercise was taught and performed to the yoga group for 1 hour twice weekly for 12 weeks. Neuropathic pain (DN4 for diagnosis; LANSS for severity), low back pain (LBP) (the short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), and function (modified Schober and passive knee extension test) were measured blind before and at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. The patient global assessment was applied at the 6-month follow-up. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed in this study. RESULTS: The ITT analysis showed a statistically significant difference in neuropathic pain, patient global assessment, LBP, disability, and function in favor of the yoga group at post-treatment. The between-group effect sizes were moderate at 6-months follow-up. CONCLUSION: It was determined that the selected stretch and strength-based yoga exercise could be a promising treatment option for neuropathic pain due to LDH. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.
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