Effects of a Combined Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Nidra Intervention on Pain, Physiological, and Psychological Outcomes in Older Men with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly affecting older adults. Mind-body interventions show promise for pain management, but evidence for comprehensive yoga programs specifically targeting older men remains limited. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 3-month combined Iyengar yoga and Yoga Nidra (IY+YN) intervention on pain and associated outcomes in older men with chronic low back pain (CLBP). In this randomised controlled study (RCT) conducted in Dhenkanal, Odisha, India, we enrolled 60 men aged 55–65 years with CLBP lasting ≥3 months and pain intensity ≥4 on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Between Jan–Mar 2024, 55 participants were randomized (intervention n=28; control n=27) to either a 3-month IY+YN intervention (three 60- min yoga sessions plus 20–30 min YN weekly) or standard care (prescribed pain management and physical therapy). Primary outcome was change in pain intensity (VAS) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included lumbar ROM, systolic BP, attention (Stroop test), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and QoL (SF-36). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months by blinded assessors. At 3 months, the intervention group showed significantly greater pain reduction compared with controls (mean diff. -2.6, 95% CI -3.3 to -1.9; p