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

48 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests if specific breathing exercises and guided meditations can help people with Parkinson's disease feel less anxious and depressed. The goal is to see if these practices improve 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 is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is yoga safe for people with Parkinson's disease?

Research shows that yoga is generally safe for people with Parkinson's disease, with no reported adverse events in studies. Participants in yoga programs have shown good attendance and improvements in balance and mobility, suggesting it is a safe and beneficial activity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the yoga treatment for Parkinson's disease differ from other treatments?

This yoga treatment for Parkinson's disease is unique because it combines specific yoga practices like Isha Kriya, Nada Yoga, and Nadi Shuddhi, which focus on improving mental health and psychological wellbeing, unlike traditional treatments that primarily target motor symptoms. It offers a complementary approach to managing anxiety and depression in Parkinson's patients, which are often under-recognized and not effectively addressed by standard medications. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Isha Kriya, Nada Yoga, Nadi Shuddhi for mental health in Parkinson's disease?

Research suggests that yoga can improve both physical abilities and mental health in people with Parkinson's disease. Studies have shown that yoga may help with symptoms like depression and improve quality of life, making it a promising treatment option for mental health in Parkinson's disease. ^{1 7 8 9 10}

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

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]

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]

Citations

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of yoga on oxidative stress, motor function, and non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease: a pilot randomized controlled trial. [2022]

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

Measuring the effect of an eight-week adaptive yoga program on the physical and psychological status of individuals with Parkinson's disease. A pilot study. [2019]

3. England 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. [2020]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials on the effects of yoga in people with Parkinson's disease. [2022]

5. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Controlled pilot study of the effects of power yoga in Parkinson's disease. [2017]

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

Functional Improvements in Parkinson's Disease Following a Randomized Trial of Yoga. [2020]

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

Development and Evaluation of a Yoga Intervention Program for Parkinson's Disease. [2022]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antidepressant efficacy and hormonal effects of Sudarshana Kriya Yoga (SKY) in alcohol dependent individuals. [2022]

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

Perceived Activities and Participation Outcomes of a Yoga Intervention for Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Mixed Methods Study. [2019]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of yoga versus stretching and resistance training exercises on psychological distress for people with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease: study prxotocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2018]