Mind-body practices in chronic inflammatory arthritis

Joint Bone Spine. 2024 May;91(3):105645. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2023.105645. Epub 2023 Sep 27.

Abstract

Mind-body practices are complementary approaches recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). While these practices are very diverse, they all focus on the interaction between mind and body. These include mindful meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, sophrology, hypnosis and various relaxation techniques. There is growing interest in incorporating these strategies in the management of chronic rheumatic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this review is to describe the main mind-body practices and analyze the existing evidence in chronic rheumatic diseases. In rheumatoid arthritis, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, yoga, Tai Chi and relaxation may improve patient-reported outcomes, but the benefit on inflammation and structural progression is unclear. In spondyloarthritis, very few studies are available but similar evidence exist. Further evaluations of these practices in chronic rheumatic diseases are needed since their risk/benefit ratio appears excellent.

Keywords: Chronic inflammatory arthritis; Chronic stress; Mind-body practices; Mindfulness; Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinologic system; Rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / physiopathology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / psychology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / therapy
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mind-Body Therapies* / methods
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spondylarthritis / psychology
  • Spondylarthritis / therapy
  • Tai Ji / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yoga