Virtual yoga program for chronic pain relief
The Effects of a Virtual Yoga Program on Patients With Chronic Pain
This study is testing a virtual yoga program to see if it can help people with chronic pain feel better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Brigham and Women's Hospital Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05211414 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a remote yoga-based exercise program in reducing chronic pain among participants. The study involves three virtual research visits and the completion of an online questionnaire, alongside participation in eight weekly virtual yoga sessions. Participants will also engage in daily 30-minute video-guided yoga practices at home. The goal is to assess whether this approach can provide meaningful pain relief for individuals suffering from chronic pain.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals experiencing chronic pain for more than six months, with a pain score of 4/10 or greater, and who are not currently engaged in rigorous exercise routines.
Not a fit: Patients currently undergoing active cancer treatment or those with certain chronic inflammatory diseases may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could offer a non-pharmacological method for managing chronic pain, improving patients' quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with yoga interventions for chronic pain, suggesting this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * chronic pain for \> 6 months' duration * on stable doses of medication prior to entering the study and agree not to change medications or dosages (or CAM treatments) during the trial * have an average pain score of 4/10 or greater over the previous week * at least mild degree of sleep disturbance, defined as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score \>5 * are able to speak and understand English * have access to a computer or tablet at home and have an email address * are not currently engaged in a rigorous daily exercise routine (\>5X/week) * are willing and physically able to participate in virtual yoga-based exercise Exclusion Criteria: * currently under active cancer treatment (chemo, infusion, ongoing radiation) * acute osteomyelitis or acute bone disease * current diagnosis of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus * present or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder, or dissociative disorder that would be judged to interfere with study participation * pregnancy * any clinically unstable systemic illness judged to interfere with exercise treatment * a pain condition requiring urgent surgery * an active addiction disorder, such as cocaine or IV heroin use, that would interfere with study participation * contraindications to yoga (e.g., severe back or neck injury or surgery) * regular meditation practice or other meditative practice (e.g tai-chi, meditative form of yoga or contemplative prayer) for \>20 min/week in the past 2 years * participating in any other therapeutic trial * other medical condition that would interfere with ability to exercise
Where this trial is running
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Asimina Lazaridou, PhD
- Email: alazaridou@bwh.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-938-7810
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.