Heat + Yoga for Depression

(RHYME Trial)

Overseen By Louisa Sylvia, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Must not be taking: Lithium, Antipsychotics, Insulin

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Suicidal, Mania, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

120 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study will examine how doing heated yoga or non-heated yoga affects depression.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking individuals who can consent to participate and are experiencing at least moderate difficulty with persistent negative thoughts, as indicated by a rumination score over 50. Specific details on who cannot join the study are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to read and understand English

Must have filled out the waiver for the community-based yoga studio prior to enrolling in the study

Able to provide consent

Exclusion Criteria

Endorsement of an item on the revised Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) without approval from treating physician

More than 6 yoga classes in the past 6 months

I am taking medication that increases my risk of dehydration.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in either heated or non-heated yoga sessions conducted in-person by certified yoga instructors

8 weeks

Regular in-person yoga sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

12 weeks

Assessments at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 20

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Heated Yoga
• Non-Heated Yoga

Trial Overview The study is exploring the effects of practicing yoga in a heated environment versus non-heated settings on mood enhancement among people suffering from depression.

Participant Groups

Group I: Heated Yoga Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The heated (i.e., \~105°F with 40% humidity) yoga will be 90 minutes long and consist of 26 Hatha yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises. The class starts with standing postures for approximately 45-50 minutes, followed by a 2-minute savasana (or corpse pose on the floor) and the remainder of the 90-minute class is completed on the mat. All yoga teachers will be heated yoga certified.

Group II: Non-heated Yoga Active Control 1 Intervention

The non-heated (i.e., room temperature \< 80°F) yoga will be 90 minutes long and consist of 26 Hatha yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises. The class starts with standing postures for approximately 45-50 minutes, followed by a 2-minute savasana (or corpse pose on the floor) and the remainder of the 90-minute class is completed on the mat. All yoga teachers will be heated yoga certified.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Tiny Blue Dot Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

9

Recruited

640+

Tiny Blue Dot Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

10

Recruited

660+