Iyengar Yoga for Prolonged Grief Disorder

(Yoga Trial)

Overseen By Stacy Claesges

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical College of Wisconsin

Disqualifiers: Neurological illnesses, Yoga practice, Bipolar, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 10 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether Iyengar Yoga can assist individuals with prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a condition where grief becomes long-lasting and disrupts daily life. The study aims to determine if practicing Iyengar Yoga can enhance mental health and quality of life for those experiencing PGD. Participants will join one of three groups: a yoga class, a social group, or a comparison group with no intervention. It suits those who have been grieving for more than six months and feel stuck in their grief, affecting their daily life. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore alternative methods for improving mental health and quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

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 prior data suggests that Iyengar Yoga is safe for older adults with prolonged grief disorder?

Research shows that Iyengar Yoga is generally easy for participants to handle. Studies have examined its effects on stress and depression, yielding positive results with few negative side effects. Participants in these studies practiced yoga regularly without major problems. Although limited information exists on its safety for prolonged grief disorder, using Iyengar Yoga in similar situations suggests it is safe for most people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional treatments for Prolonged Grief Disorder, such as therapy and medication, Iyengar Yoga offers a holistic approach that combines physical postures, breath control, and meditation. This method is unique because it not only targets emotional and mental well-being but also enhances physical health, promoting overall balance. Researchers are excited about Iyengar Yoga as it empowers individuals to actively participate in their healing process, potentially offering a non-pharmacological alternative with fewer side effects.

What evidence suggests that Iyengar Yoga is effective for prolonged grief disorder?

Research has shown that Iyengar Yoga, one of the treatments under study in this trial, might help individuals with prolonged grief disorder (PGD) by affecting the body's endocannabinoid system, which influences emotional processing. Some studies suggest that practicing Iyengar Yoga can regulate this system, possibly enhancing emotional well-being. Early findings indicate that these yoga practices might alter how the brain and body manage emotions, potentially benefiting those with PGD. Although more research is needed, the idea is that Iyengar Yoga could restore balance in the body and mind, aiding recovery from prolonged grief. Participants in this trial will attend 10 weekly Iyengar Yoga classes to evaluate its effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 40 or older who have been grieving for more than six months due to a loss and are diagnosed with Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). They must be able to see and hear well, score above 25 on the ICG grief scale, but can't join if they're at immediate risk of suicide, have certain neurological illnesses or severe psychiatric disorders, currently practice yoga, or have recent serious back injuries.

Inclusion Criteria

You have experienced the loss of a loved one more than 6 months ago.

I am 40 years old or older.

I have been diagnosed with PGD.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have delirium or unstable health conditions.

Gross structural abnormalities on T1-weighted images

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contraindications

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in 10 weekly Iyengar Yoga classes or socialization control group sessions

10 weeks

10 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Iyengar Yoga
• Socialization Control

Trial Overview The study is testing whether Iyengar Yoga (IY), a form of yoga known for its use of props and attention to detail in poses, can help people with PGD. Participants will either attend IY sessions or partake in social activities as a control group to compare effects on their mental health condition.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Iyengar Yoga Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will engage in 10 weekly IY classes

Group II: Socialization Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will engage in 10 weekly socialization control group sessions

Group III: Healthy Comparison Group Active Control 1 Intervention

A group of participants will also be followed for 10 weeks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical College of Wisconsin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

645

Recruited

1,180,000+

Citations

1. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT05026827/iyengar-yoga-for-prolonged-grief-disorder?id=664&slug=complicated-grief

Iyengar Yoga for Prolonged Grief Disorder Our goal is to conduct a pilot study to examine in PGD the modulating effects of 10-week IY on circulating endocannabinoid and emotion processing brain circuit.

2. clinicaltrial.be clinicaltrial.be/en/details/39773?per_page=20&only_recruiting=0&enrolling_by_invitation=1&active_not_recruiting=1&not_yet_recruiting=0&completed=0&only_eligible=0&only_active=0

Iyengar Yoga for Prolonged Grief Disorder - Clinical Tria... Our goal is to conduct a pilot study to examine in PGD the modulating effects of 10-week IY on circulating endocannabinoid and emotion ...

3. blog.ahwendowment.org blog.ahwendowment.org/ahw-medical-research-grant-supports-study-of-effects-of-yoga-on-grief

AHW Medical Research Grant Supports Study of Effects of ... They hypothesize that, for older adults with PGD, practicing Iyengar Yoga will restore the dysregulated endocannabinoid signaling system and ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-disease-9-2021-47d1b

Iyengar Yoga for Prolonged Grief Disorder (Yoga Trial) This trial is testing if Iyengar Yoga can help older adults with prolonged grief disorder by changing how their brain and body handle emotions.

5. ahwendowment.org ahwendowment.org/AHW/Health-Focused-Research/Iyengar-Yoga-as-a-Probe-of-Prolonged-Grief-Disorder-Neurobiology.htm

Iyengar Yoga as a Probe of Prolonged Grief Disorder ... Outcomes & Lessons Learned:​​ Conducted a first-of-its-kind study to examine neurobiological effects of Iyengar Yoga in patients with prolonged grief disorder.

6. ro.uow.edu.au ro.uow.edu.au/ndownloader/files/50392956/1

The potential of Iyengar yoga as an aid for trauma recovery Three of these studies examined the effectiveness of Iyengar yoga for perceived stress, seven studies measured depression (both minor and major); and six ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8475918/

Prolonged Grief Disorder: Course, Diagnosis, Assessment ... Prolonged grief disorder is associated with negative outcomes that result in higher risk of all-cause mortality (14). Prolonged grief disorder is associated ...