RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06973876

Examining the Effectiveness of Asynchronous Versus Synchronous Yoga for Veterans With Chronic Pain

Sponsor

Portland VA Medical Center

Enrollment

100 participants

Start Date

Jan 10, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Chronic Pain Yoga

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if pre-recorded yoga videos are as helpful for chronic pain as online yoga sessions taught in real time. The main questions it aims to answer are: Are pre-recorded yoga videos an acceptable and practical tool and could they be used more broadly? Are pre-recorded yoga videos no worse than online yoga sessions taught in real time for managing chronic pain? Researchers will compare changes in chronic pain, mental health, and quality of life outcomes for participants who attend pre-recorded yoga videos versus online yoga sessions taught in real time. Over the course of 4 months, participants will: Attend a 5-session virtual yoga course. Continue virtual yoga practice for 12-weeks on their own or in a VA online class. Complete 3 online assessments and a brief exit interview.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria9

U.S. Veteran enrolled at VAPORHCS and has established care with a VA medical or mental health provider.
Diagnosed with musculoskeletal pain, confirmed by electronic health record review and phone screening.
Has an average pain severity of at least 4 in the past 3 months, assessed by items 1-5 of the Brief Pain Inventory, Short Form.
Aged 18 or over.
Capable of using video teleconferencing to complete enrollment, assessment, and video interventions.
Meets physical readiness, assessed by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) and approved for yoga participation by their primary care team or physical therapy team.
Able to sit and stand from the floor without assistance
Able to ambulate community distances without an assistive device
Intact sensation in lower extremities below the knees

Exclusion Criteria9

Unable to read and write in English.
Unable to freely give informed consent.
Recent (past 3 months) psychotic symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, or other psychotic disorder and unrelated to PTSD. Assessed by medical record review and provider team.
Practicing yoga regularly defined as weekly or biweekly practice of 60 or more minutes for 6 months or more.
Recent (past 3 months) history of suicidal gesture related to physical pain or active suicidal ideation (plan, intent, means).
Concurrently enrolled in another research protocol involving a pain focused intervention.
Upcoming surgery that would impact yoga practice.
Active alcohol/other substance abuse or dependence (unless actively engaged in treatment). Assessed via the The Tobacco, Alcohol, prescription medication and other Substance use Tool (TAPS). A cutoff of 2 will be used to rule out.
Joint replacement within the past 12 months.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALPain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer

The 5-session Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer will be delivered synchronously to participants who will practice from their home. The purpose of the 5-session primer is two-fold: (1) it allows trained yoga instructors to determine physical abilities and limitations of patient participants so that pose modifications may be taught and (2) it provides education to participants on pain neuroscience, breathwork, relaxation, mindfulness, and interoception so that they may apply this knowledge to maximize the benefits of whichever yoga condition they are randomized to. Each session will last approximately 75 minutes. Participants will be provided with a supplementary handout to reinforce content from the sessions.

BEHAVIORALSynchronous Teleyoga

Participants randomized to receive synchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can attend VAPORHCS virtual yoga offerings. They will be encouraged to attend one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance will be tracked via a signed note in the medical record. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes.

BEHAVIORALAsynchronous Teleyoga

Participants randomized to receive asynchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can access to the digital library of yoga videos on Ompractice, an existing partner with VA Medical Centers. Ompractice contains a suite of yoga video content, and participants will be encouraged to complete one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance will be tracked by Ompractice and shared with VAPORHCS.