Culturally tailored, trauma-informed yoga for Black and Brown women who experienced intimate partner abuse

A Culturally Tailored, Trauma-Informed Yoga Program for Women of Color Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence

Phase 1 Interventional The University of Akron · NCT07546266

This program will test whether a culturally tailored, trauma-informed yoga program helps Black and Brown women who have experienced intimate partner violence improve psychological well-being compared with enhanced usual care.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorThe University of Akron Academic / other
Locations1 site (Akron, Ohio)
Trial IDNCT07546266 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a single-blind, randomized pilot with 40 women of color who have experienced intimate partner violence, comparing a culturally-tailored trauma-informed yoga program (SOAR) to an enhanced care-as-usual control. Participants complete a baseline assessment, are randomized to one of the two groups, and the research assistant conducting outcomes assessments is blind to assignment. Primary aims are to measure feasibility, acceptability, and safety and to compare psychological well-being between groups, with secondary outcomes including empowerment, resilience, health-related quality of life, collective self-esteem, and culturally specific coping. The yoga program includes a 20-minute one-on-one orientation, provision of supplies (mat, journal, water bottle), attention to safety planning, and culturally relevant group sessions.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women of color aged 18 or older with a history of intimate partner violence who are willing and able to attend in-person sessions at the University of Akron and complete study procedures.

Not a fit: Those with ongoing safety risks that make in-person participation unsafe, individuals unable to travel to Akron for sessions, or people who need or prefer different evidence-based trauma treatments may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve psychological well-being, resilience, and culturally specific coping for Black and Brown survivors of intimate partner violence.

How similar studies have performed: Prior research on yoga and trauma-informed approaches has shown promise for improving PTSD symptoms and well-being in trauma-exposed groups, but randomized trials specifically testing culturally tailored yoga for Black and Brown IPV survivors are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Self-identify as a Woman of Color (WOC).
* Lifetime experience of intimate partner violence (IPV)
* Age 18 years or older.
* Willingness to complete study procedures

Where this trial is running

Akron, Ohio

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Intimate Partner ViolencePsychological Well BeingPsychological Trauma, Historicalwomen of colorminority healthyogatrauma informedsister circles
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.