Yoga for endometriosis related pain

Endometriosis related (pain)symptoms have a significant impact on the quality of life of these women [1]. However, the extent of this disease is not directly related to the degree of symptoms [2]. The difference in pain presentation and therapy refractoriness, has led to the suggestion that the perception of these symptoms may be influenced by psychological and emotional distress [3-5]. The literature suggests that affective symptoms like anxiety and depression occur more often in these patients [6]. Participants with greater self-esteem and self-efficacy are less distressed [7] and efficient emotion regulation is associated with the ability to cope with chronic pain [8]. Yoga could have a successful impact on emotion regulation and could reduce pain and affective symptoms and improve quality of life [9,10]. The objective of this multicentre randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effectiveness of yoga-intervention for women suffering from pain due to endometriosis when compared to no yoga intervention. In total, 64 endometriosis patients ≥ 18 years old, with endometriosis related pain symptoms will be included. Pregnant patients and patients with any other organic explanation for chronic pelvic pain will be excluded. After randomization, the intervention group will participate in 75 minute (hatha-based) yoga sessions once a week during 8 weeks. The control group will receive no yoga-intervention. Both groups will continue with their usual medical care for endometriosis.

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[9] Kabat-Zinn, J., Lipworth, L., Burney, R. The clinical use of mindfulness meditation for the self-regulation of chronic pain. J Behav Med 1985;8:163–190.
[10] Hansen, K.E., Kesmodel, U.S., Kold, M., Forman, A. Long-term effects of mindfulness-based psychological intervention for coping with pain in endometriosis: a six-year follow-up on a pilot study. Nord Psychol 2017;69:100–109.

Yoga has a successful impact on emotion regulation and could reduce pain and affective symptoms and improve quality of life.

Outcomes will be assessed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks of study.

Yoga sessions scheduled for 75 minutes once a week during 8 weeks vs no intervention (control).