Yoga for Chronic Pain

(STRETCH Trial)

Overseen By Belle Zaccari, PsyD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Portland VA Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Psychotic disorders, Suicidal ideation, Substance abuse, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if pre-recorded yoga videos are as helpful for chronic pain as online yoga sessions taught in real time. The main questions it aims to answer are: Are pre-recorded yoga videos an acceptable and practical tool and could they be used more broadly? Are pre-recorded yoga videos no worse than online yoga sessions taught in real time for managing chronic pain? Researchers will compare changes in chronic pain, mental health, and quality of life outcomes for participants who attend pre-recorded yoga videos versus online yoga sessions taught in real time. Over the course of 4 months, participants will: Attend a 5-session virtual yoga course. Continue virtual yoga practice for 12-weeks on their own or in a VA online class. Complete 3 online assessments and a brief exit interview.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for veterans experiencing chronic pain. Participants should be willing to engage in yoga practices and complete online assessments. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not detailed, but typically these would involve factors like age, health status, and availability.

Inclusion Criteria

U.S. Veteran enrolled at VAPORHCS and has established care with a VA medical or mental health provider

I am cleared by my doctor or physical therapist to do yoga.

I can walk around in public places without help.

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to read and write in English

Practicing yoga regularly defined as weekly or biweekly practice of 60 or more minutes for 6 months or more

Concurrently enrolled in another research protocol involving a pain focused intervention

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Primer Yoga Course

Participants attend a 5-session virtual yoga course as an introduction to teleyoga practice

5 weeks

5 virtual sessions

Teleyoga Practice

Participants continue virtual yoga practice for 12 weeks, either asynchronously or synchronously

12 weeks

1 virtual session per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in chronic pain, mental health, and quality of life outcomes

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Asynchronous Teleyoga
• Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer
• Synchronous Teleyoga

Trial Overview The study is testing if asynchronous (pre-recorded) yoga videos can manage chronic pain as effectively as synchronous (real-time) online yoga sessions. It will measure the impact on participants' pain levels, mental health, and quality of life over a 4-month period with follow-up assessments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Asynchronous Teleyoga Active Control 2 Interventions

Participants randomized to receive asynchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can access to the digital library of yoga videos on Ompractice, an existing partner with VA Medical Centers. Ompractice contains a suite of yoga video content, and participants will be encouraged to complete one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment.

Group II: Synchronous Teleyoga Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Participants randomized to receive synchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can attend VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) virtual yoga offerings. They will be encouraged to attend one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance will be tracked via a signed note in the medical record. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Portland VA Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

44

Recruited

7,800+

VHA Office of Rural Health

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

30+