Satisfaction with yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain in predominantly low-income minorities

Objective: To explore factors that influence satisfaction with yoga as a treatment for chronic low back pain (cLBP) in a predominantly minority population participating in a dosing research study. Information on treatment satisfaction is related to adherence and may give useful insights into patients' experience with treatment. Methods: Study participants were recruited from five community health centers in racially diverse neighborhoods of Boston, MA and were 18-64 years old; had non-specific cLBP for ≥12 weeks with an average pain intensity for the previous week of ≥4 on a 0 to 10 numerical rating scale; and spoke sufficient English to follow yoga class instructions. Participants were randomized to receive yoga once or twice weekly for a 12-week period. Data were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and back-related function. Secondary outcomes included pain medication use, health-related quality of life, and treatment satisfaction. Results: Out of 95 participants enrolled in the study, 88 provided satisfaction data at follow-up; similar proportions of the once and twice weekly groups reported being very satisfied with treatment (73% and 67%, respectively). Regression analyses will be used to determine if sociodemographics, primary outcomes, compliance, quality of life, and use of other treatments during the study period were independently associated with treatment satisfaction. Conclusion: There was a high level of satisfaction with yoga as a treatment for cLBP in both treatment groups. Satisfaction is an important patient-centered outcome to consider when measuring treatment effectiveness.