Yoga for Mental Health in Parkinson's Disease

Overseen By Sepideh Hariri, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Must not be taking: Antidepressants

Disqualifiers: Severe PD, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether yoga practices like Isha Kriya, Nada Yoga, and Nadi Shuddhi can improve mental health in people with Parkinson's Disease. Participants will learn these techniques and undergo surveys over time to assess adherence to the program and its effects on their mental and physical health. Individuals with Parkinson's Disease who can participate in a yoga and meditation webinar, and are interested in potentially improving their mental well-being, might be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore holistic practices that could enhance mental health and well-being.

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 is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that these yoga practices are safe for mental health in Parkinson's Disease?

Research has shown that the yoga practices in this study, such as Isha Kriya, Nada Yoga, and Nadi Shuddhi, are generally safe. These practices are simple and easy to learn, involving breathing exercises and guided meditation, which typically do not cause harm.

In past studies, individuals who practiced Isha Yoga experienced reduced stress and mental distress. This suggests that these practices are not only safe but may also enhance mental health. The reviewed research has reported no serious side effects or problems linked to these yoga practices, indicating they are well-tolerated by participants.

Overall, evidence from earlier research supports the safety of these yoga practices for improving mental health, particularly for individuals with Parkinson's Disease. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using yoga-based practices like Isha Kriya, Nada Yoga, and Nadi Shuddhi for mental health in Parkinson's disease because they offer a holistic approach distinct from standard medications. Unlike traditional drugs that mainly target dopamine levels, these yogic techniques focus on enhancing mental well-being and reducing stress through mindfulness and breathing exercises. This non-pharmacological approach could provide a complementary benefit without the side effects commonly associated with medications, offering a new avenue for improving quality of life in Parkinson's patients.

What evidence suggests that these yoga practices are effective for mental health in Parkinson's disease?

Research has shown that yoga can greatly enhance both mental and physical health for people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). An 8-week yoga program helped participants improve movement, balance, and walking. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will engage in practices like Isha Kriya, Nada Yoga, and Nadi Shuddhi, which studies indicate can reduce stress and mental distress. People practicing Isha Yoga reported significantly less stress and mental distress, highlighting its potential benefits for mental health. These findings suggest that yoga could effectively address both the physical and mental challenges of PD. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Balachundar Subramaniam, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 in the US with Parkinson's Disease who are interested in a Breath, Sound, and Meditation Webinar. They must have mild to moderate symptoms (PAS score ≥12), be able to read English, and participate physically and mentally. Those with severe PD or conditions like major depression under medication, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I want to attend the Breath, Sound, and Meditation Webinar.

Currently residing in the United States

I am physically and mentally fit to follow the study's requirements.

Exclusion Criteria

I am unable to give consent for myself to join the study.

Any medically limiting diagnosis that prevents a patient from doing the intervention or completing the assessments as determined by the PI such as severe Major Depression (under medication), Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder

My Parkinson's disease is in a severe stage.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Phase 1: Intervention Learning

Intervention group learns meditation and breathing practices for 6 weeks; control group maintains regular routine

6 weeks

Weekly activity logs

Phase 2: Continued Practice

Intervention group continues practice without webinars; control group begins intervention

6 weeks

Weekly activity logs

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for compliance and changes in anxiety, stress, and depression

6 weeks

Surveys at T3 and T4

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Isha Kriya
• Nada Yoga
• Nadi Shuddhi

Trial Overview The study tests if yoga practices like Isha Kriya, Nadi Shuddhi, and Nada Yoga improve mental health in Parkinson's patients compared to routine activities. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the yoga group or control group and followed up at four intervals over 24 weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Breathing and Wellness Webinar: a Yogic Breathing practice (Nadi Shuddhi) and two guided meditations (Isha Kriya and Nada Yoga).

Group II: Waitlisted Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will be asked to wait for 6 weeks before being introduced to the Breathing and Wellness Webinar intervention which includes a Yogic Breathing practice (Nadi Shuddhi) and two guided meditations (Isha Kriya and Nada Yoga).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

872

Recruited

12,930,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An 8-week yoga intervention for individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) significantly improved motor function, postural stability, and functional gait, while also reducing fall risk among participants (n=15).

In contrast, the wait-list control group (n=12) showed improvements in postural stability but did not experience a reduction in fall risk, highlighting the specific benefits of the yoga intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Functional Improvements in Parkinson's Disease Following a Randomized Trial of Yoga. Van Puymbroeck, M., Walter, AA., Hawkins, BL., et al.[2020]

The MY-OT for PD program did not show significant changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores based on the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8) among 17 participants over the study period.

Despite the lack of statistical improvement in HRQoL scores, participants reported perceived enhancements in mobility and daily activities, suggesting that qualitative benefits may exist and warrant further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health-related quality of life changes after the merging yoga and occupational therapy for Parkinson's disease program: A mixed-methods study. Swink, LA., Fruhauf, CA., Atler, KE., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05335850

Yoga for Mental Health in Parkinson's Patients The intervention is made of a Yogic Breathing practice (Nadi Shuddhi) and two guided meditations (Isha Kriya and Nada Yoga). Both groups will also take study ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-parkinson-disease-4-2022-5ad5b

Yoga for Mental Health in Parkinson's Disease An 8-week yoga intervention for individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) significantly improved motor function, postural stability, and functional gait, while ...

3. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/yoga-for-mental-health-in-parkinsons-patients

Yoga for Mental Health in Parkinson's Patients The intervention consists of a Yogic Breathing practice (Nadi Shuddhi) and two guided meditations (Isha Kriya and Nada Yoga). Our recent studies ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10869487/

Practice and proficiency of Isha Yoga for better mental ... Isha Yoga practitioners had significantly lower levels of stress (p < 0.001, g Hedges = 0.94) and mental distress (p < 0.001, g Hedges = 0.75)

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11666289/

Development and Validation of a Yoga-Based Intervention for ... Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of yoga in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms associated with PD. In a randomized ...

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/316541283_Effects_of_Isha_Hatha_Yoga_on_Core_Stability_and_Standing_Balance

Effects of Isha Hatha Yoga on Core Stability and Standing ... This review aimed to evaluate the impact of Isha Yoga on physical and mental health outcomes by analysing evidence from randomised ...