Mahidol University Reports Findings in Shoulder Pain (Pain reduction, physical performance, and psychological status compared between Hatha yoga and stretching exercise to treat sedentary office workers with mild/moderate neck/shoulder pain: A...).

This article focuses on a randomized controlled non-inferiority trial conducted in Bangkok, Thailand, comparing the effects of Hatha yoga and stretching exercises on pain reduction, physical performance, and psychological status in 150 sedentary office workers with mild to moderate neck and shoulder pain. Participants engaged in weekly 30-minute group sessions for four weeks and practiced at home, with follow-ups at four and eight weeks. Results indicated that Hatha yoga was tentatively non-inferior to stretching exercises in reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as improving flexibility, neck function, and quality of life, with no significant differences in most secondary outcomes. Both interventions were well-received, with high satisfaction and improvement ratings, and minor adverse events such as musculoskeletal pain and muscle tension were reported.