In 2012, a study highlights the significant benefits of yoga for reducing perceived stress and alleviating back pain in the workplace. Conducted by researchers N. Hartfiel, C. Burton, J. Rycroft-Malone, G. Clarke, J. Havenhand, S. B. Khalsa, and R. T. Edwards, the study addresses two primary factors contributing to workplace absenteeism: stress and back pain.

The research team aimed to determine the effectiveness of a yoga-based intervention in mitigating these issues and enhancing psychological well-being among employees. Participants were drawn from a local government authority in Britain and divided into two groups: a yoga group and a control group.

The yoga group engaged in weekly 50-minute Dru Yoga sessions for eight weeks, supplemented by a 20-minute home practice DVD. The control group received no intervention. The researchers measured participants’ stress, back pain, and psychological well-being both before and after the program using the Perceived Stress Scale, the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale.

The study comprised 74 participants, evenly split between the two groups. Results demonstrated that the yoga group experienced significant reductions in perceived stress and back pain compared to the control group. Additionally, there were notable improvements in psychological well-being among the yoga participants. Specifically, the yoga group reported lower levels of perceived stress, back pain, sadness, and hostility, alongside higher levels of self-assurance, attentiveness, and serenity.

The findings suggest that a workplace yoga intervention can effectively reduce stress and back pain while boosting overall psychological health. The authors of the study advocate for larger randomized controlled trials to further investigate yoga’s potential to enhance workplace productivity and decrease sickness-related absences.

This research underscores the potential of incorporating yoga into workplace wellness programs as a means to improve employee health and reduce absenteeism. As companies seek to create healthier work environments, yoga may offer a practical and beneficial solution.

Reference: Hartfiel, N., Burton, C., Rycroft-Malone, J., Clarke, G., Havenhand, J., Khalsa, S. B., & Edwards, R. T. (2012). Yoga for reducing perceived stress and back pain at work. Occupational medicine, 62(8), 606-612.