Heat + Yoga for Depression

(RHYME Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how practicing yoga, either in a heated room or at a normal temperature, can help with depression. Researchers aim to determine if adding heat to yoga sessions improves mood and mental health. Participants will engage in 90-minute yoga sessions, focusing on specific postures and breathing exercises. The trial is suitable for adults with moderate depression who have attended no more than six yoga classes in the past six months. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a unique opportunity to explore innovative approaches to managing depression through yoga.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial requires that you keep your psychiatric medications stable throughout the study, so you won't need to stop them. However, if you've recently started or changed doses of antidepressant or psychiatric medications, you may not be eligible.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that both heated and non-heated yoga can help reduce symptoms of depression. Heated yoga, in particular, has yielded promising results in several studies. Participants in heated yoga sessions reported feeling less depressed compared to those who did not practice yoga. This type of yoga may also improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Non-heated yoga also has a strong track record. Many studies have demonstrated its positive effects on depression symptoms. It effectively reduces the severity of depression compared to no treatment.

Both types of yoga are generally safe, with few reports of negative effects. The main difference is the temperature: heated yoga occurs in a room about 105°F with 40% humidity, while non-heated yoga takes place in a cooler room. Both are safe options for those considering a yoga-based clinical trial for depression. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these yoga treatments for depression because they offer a holistic approach that differs from traditional methods like medication or talk therapy. Heated yoga, in particular, is unique because it combines physical exercise with the benefits of heat exposure, which can improve mood and reduce stress. Both heated and non-heated yoga include structured breathing exercises and mindfulness, which can enhance mental well-being. This trial aims to explore how these yoga practices might provide a natural, accessible alternative or complement to existing treatments for depression.

What evidence suggests that heated and non-heated yoga could be effective for depression?

This trial will compare the effects of Heated Yoga and Non-Heated Yoga on depression. Research has shown that heated yoga, which participants in this trial may receive, can help reduce depression. Studies have found that attending just over one class per week can lead to a noticeable decrease in depressive symptoms. Heated yoga might help by reducing inflammation, which is linked to better mood.

Non-heated yoga, another treatment option in this trial, also appears to help with depression. Many studies have shown that practicing yoga regularly can significantly lessen the severity of depression. Both heated and non-heated yoga may improve mood by lowering inflammation. Overall, both types of yoga have been linked to positive changes for people dealing with depression. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12488547/

Hot Yoga: A Systematic Review of the Physiological ... Acute hot yoga may reportedly decrease acute state-anxiety and negative affect (i.e., negative emotional states) and increase positive affect [ ...

2. advances.massgeneral.org advances.massgeneral.org/neuro/journal.aspx?id=2593

Heated Yoga Linked to Reduction of Depressive Symptoms in ... In this study, heated yoga was associated with reductions in depressive symptoms when attendance was about 1.25 classes per week.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S294983412400045X

Inflammatory biomarker findings from a randomized ... In an open trial by Nyer and colleagues, the same 8-week heated yoga intervention significantly reduced depressive symptoms (Nyer et al., 2019). While the ...

4. news.harvard.edu news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/10/heated-yoga-may-reduce-depression-in-adults/

Heated yoga may reduce depression in adults Those who participated in heated yoga sessions experienced significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with a control group.

5. psychiatrist.com psychiatrist.com/jcp/rct-of-heated-hatha-yoga-for-depression/

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Community-Delivered ... Approximately 1 heated yoga session per week (mean of 10.3 classes over 8 weeks) was associated with significantly greater reduction in depression symptoms ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6763961/

Community-Delivered Heated Hatha Yoga as a Treatment ... The heated yoga was associated with reduced depressive symptoms, and other improved related mental health symptoms, including anxiety, hopelessness, and quality ...

7. massgeneral.org massgeneral.org/news/press-release/heated-yoga-may-reduce-depression-symptoms-according-to-recent-clinical%20trial

Heated yoga may reduce depression symptoms, according ... Those who participated in heated yoga sessions experienced significantly greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with a control group.