Yoga Nidra for Chronic Pain

Overseen By Abigail Anderson, PT, DPT, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Central Florida

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Diabetes, Surgery, Blood disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 1 day

60 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Yoga Nidra for Chronic Pain?

Research shows that yoga and relaxation techniques can help reduce pain and improve mood in people with chronic pain. Studies have found that yoga can decrease anxiety and pain-related stress, while relaxation methods can significantly lower pain intensity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Yoga Nidra safe for humans?

Yoga and similar mind-body practices have been shown to be safe for reducing pain and improving well-being in various studies, including those involving chronic pain conditions. ^{3 5 6 7 8}

How is the treatment Yoga Nidra for Chronic Pain different from other treatments?

Yoga Nidra for Chronic Pain is unique because it combines deep relaxation techniques with pain acceptance and motor imagery, which can help patients manage pain by promoting relaxation, improving sleep, and enhancing self-awareness. Unlike traditional pain medications, this approach focuses on the mind-body connection and aims to reduce pain perception through mental and emotional adjustments. ^{4 5 8 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

Yoga Nidra is a scripted mind-body intervention (MBI) that uses guided relaxation technique in a reproducible sequence of mechanisms that naturally produce a parasympathetic response. This is a randomized controlled trial in which participants will be randomly assigned to one of three interventions: 1) yoga nidra (Yoga Nidra Script Basic), 2) yoga nidra with pain acceptance (Yoga Nidra Acceptance Intention), 3) yoga nidra with pain acceptance and Explicit Motor Imagery (Yoga Nidra Acceptance Intention and Visualization).

Research Team

Abigail Anderson, PT, DPT, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Central Florida

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals who have been experiencing chronic pain in areas like the neck, back, shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist or ankle for over three months. Participants should rate their pain as at least a 3 out of 10 in intensity within the past day.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had chronic pain in my neck, back, or joints for over three months.

My pain level has been 3 or higher in the last day.

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speaking

Unable to access internet or email

I do not have conditions like uncontrolled diabetes that affect feeling.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to one of three interventions: yoga nidra, yoga nidra with pain acceptance, or yoga nidra with pain acceptance and motor imagery

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1-2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Yoga Nidra
• Yoga Nidra with Pain Acceptance Intention
• Yoga Nidra with Pain Acceptance Intention and Motor Imagery

Trial Overview The study compares three variations of Yoga Nidra: basic guided relaxation (Yoga Nidra Script Basic), with added focus on accepting pain (Yoga Nidra Acceptance Intention), and with both acceptance and motor imagery techniques (Yoga Nidra Acceptance Intention and Visualization).

Participant Groups

Group I: Yoga Nidra Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This protocol is derived from The Origin and Clinical Relevance of Yoga Nidra (Pandi-Perumal, S. R. 2022) and is approximately 20 minutes total time.

Group II: Yoga Nidra and Pain Acceptance Intention Active Control 1 Intervention

Yoga Nidra plus a Pain Acceptance Intention.

Group III: Yoga Nidra with Pain Acceptance Intervention and Motor Imagery Active Control 1 Intervention

Yoga Nidra plus pain acceptance and motor imagery

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Central Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

101

Recruited

1,191,000+

Findings from Research

In a study involving 24 chronic pain patients, relaxation induction over 20 minutes resulted in significant reductions in both sensory and affective pain experiences, demonstrating its efficacy in pain management.

The control group, consisting of 22 similar patients, showed no significant changes, highlighting that the pain reduction effects were specifically due to the relaxation technique rather than other factors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changing chronic pain experience. Philips, HC.[2021]

In a study involving four spinal cord injured patients with chronic pain, treatment focused on muscle relaxation and cognitive techniques to alter pain perception led to subjective reports of reduced pain and improved mood.

Staff observations indicated better attendance in rehabilitation programs and enhanced mood among patients, suggesting that psychological approaches can play a significant role in pain management and rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relaxation techniques in treatment of chronic pain. Grzesiak, RC.[2011]

An 8-week Hatha Yoga program significantly improved anxiety levels, self-compassion, and pain catastrophizing in 10 inpatients at a rehabilitation hospital, indicating its potential as a therapeutic intervention.

The study highlights the effectiveness of modified yoga practices for individuals with limited mobility, suggesting that such interventions can enhance psychological well-being and pain management in a clinical setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a Specialized Yoga Program for Persons Admitted to a Complex Continuing Care Hospital: A Pilot Study. Curtis, K., Kuluski, K., Bechsgaard, G., et al.[2022]

Yoga and related techniques can effectively aid in pain management by promoting self-awareness, relaxation, and improved lifestyle, which contribute to better control over pain.

The practice of yoga not only helps in physical pain relief but also enhances emotional well-being and self-acceptance, fostering independence and self-confidence in individuals dealing with pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pain management and yoga. Nespor, K.[2011]

Yoga may provide small to moderate improvements in back-related function for individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain, with low-certainty evidence showing benefits at three to four months and six months after starting yoga.

However, the risk of adverse events, such as increased back pain, was found to be higher in those practicing yoga compared to non-exercise controls, indicating a need for caution in its application.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga Treatment for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain (2017). Whitehead, A., Gould Fogerite, S.[2019]

A study involving 49 active-duty military personnel with chronic low back pain (cLBP) and/or chronic neck pain (cNP) found that both hatha and restorative yoga interventions were feasible and well-accepted, with over 90% of participants expressing enjoyment and satisfaction with the classes.

Participants who attended at least 50% of the yoga sessions experienced small to moderate improvements in pain severity, disability, and quality of life, suggesting that regular participation may enhance the effectiveness of yoga for managing chronic pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing Types of Yoga for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain in Military Personnel: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. Groessl, EJ., Casteel, D., McKinnon, S., et al.[2023]

A clinical trial involving 59 individuals with chronic low back pain showed that mindfulness meditation significantly reduced pain during evoked tests compared to a sham meditation, indicating its efficacy as a pain management strategy.

The pain relief from mindfulness meditation appears to occur through non-opioidergic mechanisms, as evidenced by reduced pain even during naloxone infusion, which blocks opioid effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of endogenous opioids in mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation for the direct alleviation of evoked chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. Khatib, L., Dean, JG., Oliva, V., et al.[2023]

A study involving 40 patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) found that the laghu shankha prakshalana (LSP) yoga technique significantly reduced pain, disability, and anxiety while improving spinal flexibility compared to back pain specific asanas (BST).

The LSP technique was shown to be safe, with no reported adverse effects, and provided immediate benefits in managing CLBP symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of yogic colon cleansing (Laghu Sankhaprakshalana Kriya) on pain, spinal flexibility, disability and state anxiety in chronic low back pain. Haldavnekar, RV., Tekur, P., Nagarathna, R., et al.[2021]

Chronic pain and sleep disorders are interconnected, creating a cycle that can worsen both conditions, necessitating a comprehensive clinical management approach.

Effective treatment should include hygiene principles, cognitive and behavioral therapy, and medications that have both analgesic and hypnotic properties to address both pain and sleep issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sleep disorder and pain: the good hypnotic]. Perrig, S., Espa-Cervena, K., Pépin, JL.[2018]

Yoga and meditation can significantly influence chronic pain by promoting relaxation and reducing hyper arousal in the nervous system, which helps alleviate muscle tension and improve overall well-being.

Practices like pranayama and asanas not only enhance physical health but also positively impact emotional and mental states, effectively reducing anxiety and depression associated with chronic pain, thereby improving quality of life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perspectives on yoga inputs in the management of chronic pain. Vallath, N.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changing chronic pain experience. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relaxation techniques in treatment of chronic pain. [2011]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of a Specialized Yoga Program for Persons Admitted to a Complex Continuing Care Hospital: A Pilot Study. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pain management and yoga. [2011]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Yoga Treatment for Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain (2017). [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing Types of Yoga for Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain in Military Personnel: A Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of endogenous opioids in mindfulness and sham mindfulness-meditation for the direct alleviation of evoked chronic low back pain: a randomized clinical trial. [2023]

8. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of yogic colon cleansing (Laghu Sankhaprakshalana Kriya) on pain, spinal flexibility, disability and state anxiety in chronic low back pain. [2021]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sleep disorder and pain: the good hypnotic]. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perspectives on yoga inputs in the management of chronic pain. [2022]