Iyengar Yoga's effects on postmenopausal women's health
A Single-center, Randomized, Controlled, Open-labelled, Two-armed, Interventional Clinical Trial Investigating the Effect of a 12 Week Iyengar Yoga Intervention on the Bio-functional Age of Postmenopausal Women.
This study is testing if a 12-week Iyengar Yoga program can help improve the health and well-being of postmenopausal women.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 72 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bern) |
| Trial ID | NCT04705623 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates whether Iyengar Yoga can have a rejuvenating effect on postmenopausal women by assessing their biofunctional status before and after a 12-week yoga program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will attend yoga sessions led by a professional instructor and practice at home, or a control group. The study aims to evaluate changes in biofunctional age through various assessments, including blood samples and self-reported data on menopausal symptoms. The research is conducted at the University Hospital Bern, where participants will be recruited and monitored throughout the program.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are postmenopausal women over 18 years old experiencing at least four hot flushes per day and who have not practiced yoga regularly for the past two years.
Not a fit: Patients with serious acute diseases, autoimmune disorders, or mental health issues may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-pharmacological approach to alleviate menopausal symptoms and improve overall health in postmenopausal women.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of Iyengar Yoga for this demographic is novel, similar studies have shown positive outcomes for yoga in managing menopausal symptoms.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Informed consent * Women after Menopause (defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea or 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels \>40mlU/ml or 6 weeks postsurgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy) * Age over 18 years * At least 4 hot flushes per day (examined through the Menopause rating scale MRS-II) * No regular yoga practice for two years * German as native language * Willing to participate in 12 yoga classes as well as two 45 self practice sessions per week * Willing to assess biofunctional Status and give blood samples Exclusion Criteria: * Acute and/or serious disease in the past two years (e.g. Cancer, major surgery) * Autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease (e.g. rheumatism, thyroid dysfunction) * Mental illness (e.g. Depression or anxiety disorder (HADS \>8)) * Acute or chronic back pain or herniated vertebral disc * Compulsion to participate in the trial * Attendance of less than 10 yoga lessons out of 12. * Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) * Smoking \> 20 Cigarettes per day or over 20 packyears * Consumption of \>30g alcohol per day (\>1 liter of beer or \>0.3 dl of wine) * Previous periodic participation in yoga classes within the last two years * Inability or contraindications to undergo the investigated intervention * Participants incapable of judgement or participants under tutelage Diabetes mellitus
Where this trial is running
Bern
- Dep. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bern University Hospital, Bern — Bern, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Petra Stute, Prof. Dr. med — Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde Bern
- Study coordinator: Petra o Stute, Prof. Dr. med
- Email: petra.stute@insel.ch
- Phone: +41 31 63 2 13 33
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.