In 2017, conducted study led by Nia Hartfiel and her colleagues at Bangor University has revealed that yoga could be a highly cost-effective strategy for managing musculoskeletal conditions, particularly in workplace settings. The randomized controlled trial focused on National Health Service (NHS) employees and found significant benefits for both health outcomes and workplace productivity.

Musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain, are a major contributor to poor health-related quality of life (HRQL) among employees and lead to considerable costs for employers due to absenteeism and reduced productivity. The study aimed to assess whether an 8-week yoga program could improve these outcomes and reduce costs associated with these conditions.

The study involved 151 NHS employees, who were randomly assigned to either an 8-week yoga program or usual care. Over six months, participants’ musculoskeletal health and quality of life were evaluated using two key tools: the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) and the Keele STarT Back Screening Tool, which are commonly used to assess the severity of back pain and musculoskeletal conditions. The researchers also measured sickness absence using electronic staff records.

Cost-effectiveness was assessed from both healthcare and societal perspectives, with a focus on the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY)—a standard measure used to evaluate the effectiveness of medical interventions in improving the length and quality of life.

The results were striking. At the 6-month follow-up, the yoga group demonstrated modest improvements in musculoskeletal health compared to the usual care group, as shown by the RDQ and Keele STarT scores. Importantly, yoga participants also reported gains in HRQL, with a 0.016 QALY increase.

From a healthcare perspective, yoga’s incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated to be £2103 per QALY gained. Given the standard threshold of £20,000 per QALY, the probability that yoga would be considered cost-effective was 95%.

From a societal perspective, yoga emerged as the dominant treatment, meaning it not only improved health outcomes but also reduced overall costs compared to usual care. This was particularly evident in sickness absence records: over six months, yoga participants missed just two days of work due to musculoskeletal issues, compared with 43 days for those receiving usual care.

The study’s findings suggest that integrating yoga programs into workplace wellness initiatives could significantly improve employees’ quality of life, reduce disability related to back pain, and lower absenteeism rates due to musculoskeletal conditions.

Moreover, from a cost-effectiveness standpoint, yoga offers an affordable and highly effective solution for employers looking to address the rising costs associated with employee health. With a high probability of cost-effectiveness and tangible benefits for workplace productivity, yoga may be a game-changer for managing musculoskeletal conditions in the workplace.

This research highlights the potential of yoga not just as a health intervention, but as a cost-effective strategy that benefits both employees and employers alike.

Reference: Hartfiel, N., Clarke, G., Havenhand, J., Phillips, C., & Edwards, R. T. (2017). Cost-effectiveness of yoga for managing musculoskeletal conditions in the workplace. Occupational Medicine, 67(9), 687-695.