Effectiveness of Chair Yoga on Improving Quality of Life Among the Office Workers with Back Pain – An Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: Office workers are at high risk of developing low back pain due to prolonged sitting and sedentary work patterns, which can negatively impact functional ability, stress levels, and overall well-being. Although yoga has shown benefits for chronic musculoskeletal conditions, the feasibility and effectiveness of chair-based yoga within occupational settings remain underexplored. Objective: To evaluate the short-term effects of chair yoga therapy on pain intensity, functional ability, and perceived stress among office employees with low back pain. Methods: A single-group pre–post observational study was conducted at Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE, from September to November 2023. Thirty-one employees aged 25–60 years with self-reported low back pain and no prior chair yoga experience were enrolled. Participants completed six sessions of chair yoga over three weeks. Outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS) for function, and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for stress, measured pre- and post-intervention. Data were analysed using paired t-tests with effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Chair yoga did not significantly reduce VAS pain scores (mean change −0.29, p=0.161). However, BPFS improved significantly by 6.78 points (p<0.001, d=1.12), and PSS decreased by 5.75 points (p<0.001, d=1.01). Conclusion: Chair yoga produced meaningful improvements in functional ability and stress reduction, though no significant short-term analgesic effect was observed. Its accessibility and workplace adaptability support its integration into occupational health programs.