GANESHA MEDICINA
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026)

Benefits of Yoga for Managing Osteoarthritis in the Elderly: A Narrative Literature Review

Ekanova Dharmapala (Orthopaedic Surgeon Departement, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia)
Made Kurnia Widiastuti Giri (Public Health Departement, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Buleleng, Bali, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
04 Apr 2026

Abstract

This narrative literature review aims to analyze and synthesize the latest scientific evidence on the effectiveness and benefits of yoga for managing osteoarthritis in the elderly. The review focuses on examining the impact of yoga on various aspects of physical, mental, and emotional health, specifically targeting pain reduction, improved physical function, and enhanced quality of life. A systematic approach was used to gather studies published in the last five years from major databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review includes studies of various designs, such as randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational studies, that evaluate the effects of yoga interventions on elderly individuals with osteoarthritis. Key findings from the review show that yoga significantly contributes to reducing pain intensity, improving physical function (such as mobility, balance, and muscle strength), and enhancing quality of life. Additionally, yoga interventions were associated with improvements in mental health, including reduced anxiety, depression, and stress. While yoga was found to be a safe and effective non-pharmacological intervention, further research is needed to standardize yoga protocols, including the frequency, duration, and type of yoga, to maximize therapeutic benefits for elderly osteoarthritis patients.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

GM

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health

Description

Ganesha Medicina Journal is open access; double-blinded peer-reviewed journal aiming to communicate high-quality research articles, case report, reviews and general articles in the field. Ganesha Medicina Journal publish articles that encompass all aspects of basic research/clinical studies related ...