30 Participants Needed

Vinyasa Yoga for High Blood Pressure

AT
Overseen ByAlexis Thrower, MS
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: West Virginia University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but it requires that you are on a stable dose of any medications that could affect the study outcomes.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Vinyasa Yoga for high blood pressure?

Research shows that yoga, which includes postures, meditation, and breathing exercises, can significantly lower blood pressure. Studies found that yoga interventions reduced systolic blood pressure by about 4 to 8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by about 3 to 6 mmHg, suggesting it can be an effective treatment for managing high blood pressure.12345

Is Vinyasa Yoga safe for humans?

Research shows that yoga, including Vinyasa Yoga, is generally safe for humans and not associated with more adverse events than other forms of physical activity. While serious adverse events have been reported in rare cases, most studies indicate that yoga is a relatively safe practice.16789

How does Vinyasa Yoga differ from other treatments for high blood pressure?

Vinyasa Yoga is unique because it combines physical postures, meditation, and breathing exercises, which can enhance parasympathetic activity (the part of the nervous system that helps the body relax) and improve heart rate variability, potentially leading to better blood pressure control. Unlike medication, it is a moderate-intensity physical activity that can also improve overall cardiovascular health and adaptability to stress.46101112

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to test a 12-week vinyasa yoga (flow yoga) intervention via Zoom. This program will be for 30 individuals with high blood pressure. 15 will receive the intervention and 15 will follow their usual routine. The investigators will determine if this vinyasa yoga program is feasible and acceptable in this population. Investigators will measure and compare blood pressure and other health responses such as physical health and well-being before and after participants complete the intervention or usual care period. The investigators hope to demonstrate that vinyasa yoga is a good option to improve heart health in people with high blood pressure.Primary Objective - Examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 12-wk remotely-delivered vinyasa yoga intervention (3 x per week) on cardiovascular (CV) health in adults with hypertension (HTN).

Research Team

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Bethany Barone Gibbs, PhD

Principal Investigator

West Virginia University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with high blood pressure who have not engaged in a regular yoga practice. Participants must be able to attend remote Zoom sessions three times per week for 12 weeks and should not be involved in other similar interventions.

Inclusion Criteria

Individuals with a resting systolic BP >130 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria

Practice yoga regularly (1 or more day/wk in the past month)
Are currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant within 6 months
Are concurrently enrolled in another lifestyle program
See 5 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a 12-week vinyasa yoga intervention via Zoom, with three 60-minute sessions per week

12 weeks
36 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Vinyasa Yoga
Trial Overview The study tests if a remote vinyasa yoga program can improve heart health over 12 weeks. Half of the participants will do flow yoga via Zoom, while the other half continue their usual routine. Health measures like blood pressure and well-being are compared before and after.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Vinyasa YogaExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will complete a 12-week, remotely-delivered intervention with three 60-minute vinyasa yoga sessions per week via Zoom, following an adapted Journey into Power yoga sequence by Baron Baptiste. The sessions will incorporate three mind-body components of yoga: through physical yoga poses, mindfulness, and breathing.
Group II: Standard RoutineActive Control1 Intervention
Standard usual routine for 12 weeks

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

West Virginia University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
192
Recruited
64,700+

Findings from Research

A systematic review of 94 randomized controlled trials involving 8,430 participants found that yoga is as safe as usual care and exercise, with no significant differences in serious adverse events or dropouts due to adverse events.
While yoga had a higher occurrence of nonserious adverse events compared to psychological or educational interventions, the overall safety profile suggests that it is a viable therapeutic option, highlighting the need for better reporting of safety data in future studies.
The Safety of Yoga: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Cramer, H., Ward, L., Saper, R., et al.[2018]

References

Content, Structure, and Delivery Characteristics of Yoga Interventions for Managing Hypertension: A Systematic Review Protocol. [2023]
The effects of yoga on hypertensive persons in Thailand. [2019]
Content, Structure, and Delivery Characteristics of Yoga Interventions for Managing Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. [2022]
Effectiveness of yoga for hypertension: systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]
Additional benefit of yoga to standard lifestyle modification on blood pressure in prehypertensive subjects: a randomized controlled study. [2021]
Blood pressure and heart rate variability responses following an acute bout of vinyasa yoga and a prolonged seated control: A randomized crossover trial. [2023]
The Efficacy and Safety of Yoga in Managing Hypertension. [2016]
Effect of yoga therapy on heart rate, blood pressure and cardiac autonomic function in heart failure. [2022]
The Safety of Yoga: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. [2018]
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Yoga Practitioners Exhibit Higher Parasympathetic Activity and Baroreflex Sensitivity and Better Adaptability to 40 mm Hg Lower-Body Negative Pressure. [2022]
11.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Oxygen Consumption and Heart Rate Responses in Different Vinyasa Yoga Sequences. [2023]
Modulation of stress induced by isometric handgrip test in hypertensive patients following yogic relaxation training. [2008]
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