Comparative Effectiveness of Physical Therapy and Yoga Interventions in the Management of Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomised Comparative Interventional Study in a Student Population

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is among the leading causes of discomfort in young adults and can reduce work efficiency and quality of life. Several therapeutic approaches are available for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), but their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of physical therapy (core-strengthening exercises) and yoga interventions in reducing pain and functional disability in college students with NSLBP. Methods: Of 127 students screened, 40 who met the inclusion criteria (aged 18–30 years, mechanical NSLBP for >6 weeks) were enrolled using purposive sampling and allocated to Group A – Physical Therapy (n = 20) or Group B – Yoga (n = 20). Group A performed a core-strengthening protocol (abdominal drawing-in manoeuvre, side bridge, bird-dog, supine bridging, plank, prone straight-leg raise); Group B practised nine yoga asanas, each held for 30–60 seconds with deep breathing. Both groups trained 5 days/week for 2 weeks. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS]) and disability (Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire [MODQ]) were recorded at baseline and post-intervention and analysed using paired- and independent-samples t-tests and Cohen’s d. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant within-group improvements (p < 0.001). VAS scores fell from 2.85 ± 1.23 to 0.70 ± 0.66 in Group A (75.4% reduction) and from 2.70 ± 1.03 to 1.00 ± 1.03 in Group B (63.0% reduction). MODQ scores fell from 16.90 ± 14.28 to 3.70 ± 3.25 in Group A (78.1% reduction) and from 13.80 ± 10.28 to 3.45 ± 3.69 in Group B (75.0% reduction). The between-group comparison favoured physical therapy for pain reduction (p = 0.0385, Cohen’s d = 0.68, medium effect), while the difference in functional improvement was not significant (p = 0.403, Cohen’s d = 0.27, small effect). Conclusion: Physical therapy produced a significantly greater reduction in pain than yoga, while both interventions were equally effective in improving functional disability in college students with NSLBP.