Comparative Effects of Modified Yogasana and Prop-Assisted Yogasana on Pain, Disability, and C-Reactive Protein in Adults with Mechanical Low Back Pain

Background: Chronic mechanical low back pain is associated with persistent pain, functional disability, and reduced participation in daily activities. Modified and prop-assisted Yogasana may provide different levels of active movement and external support, however, comparative evidence remains limited.Objective: To compare the effects of modified Yogasana and prop-assisted Yogasana on pain intensity, back-related disability, and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in men with chronic mechanical low back pain.Methods: This non-randomized controlled study included 90 men aged 35–45 years who were assigned to a Modified Yogasana Group, Prop-Assisted Yogasana Group, or medication-only Control Group, with 30 participants in each group. Both Yogasana interventions were administered for 12 weeks, five sessions per week, for 60 minutes per session. Pain intensity, Oswestry Disability Index scores, and serum CRP were assessed at pretest, mid-test, and post-test. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Scheffé’s post-hoc test, with significance established at p < 0.05.Results: Baseline pain and disability did not differ significantly among the groups. At post-test, pain scores were significantly lower in the Modified Yogasana Group (3.25 ± 0.71) and Prop-Assisted Yogasana Group (3.82 ± 0.89) than in the Control Group (7.07 ± 0.76, F = 205.10, p < 0.05). Modified Yogasana also produced a significantly lower pain score than prop-assisted Yogasana. Post-test disability scores were 23.96 ± 4.18, 26.09 ± 5.33, and 44.13 ± 4.56, respectively (F = 165.67, p < 0.05). Both Yogasana groups differed significantly from the Control Group, whereas the difference between the two Yogasana groups was not significant. Post-test CRP values were 3.09 ± 0.88, 4.38 ± 0.79, and 6.50 ± 1.05 mg/L, respectively (F = 106.49, p < 0.05). However, CRP differed significantly among the groups at baseline.Conclusion: Both modified and prop-assisted Yogasana were associated with reduced pain and disability compared with medication alone. Modified Yogasana produced a greater reduction in pain, while both interventions demonstrated comparable improvements in disability. The CRP findings require cautious interpretation and confirmation through baseline-adjusted analysis because of the significant pre-intervention imbalance.