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Feasibility and Efficacy of A Yoga Intervention for Comorbid Chronic Pain and PTSD

Yoga for Warriors: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Efficacy of A Yoga Intervention for Veterans With Comorbid Chronic Pain and PTSD

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06123065
Enrollment
17
Registered
2023-11-08
Start date
2021-04-01
Completion date
2022-08-30
Last updated
2023-11-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain, PTSD

Keywords

Yoga, Virtual Intervention

Brief summary

The goal of this pilot quasi-randomized study is test the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of Yoga for Warriors treatment program for comorbid chronic pain and PTSD, conducted virtually through the Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RICVAMC). the main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Whether a virtual intervention for chronic pain and PTSD is feasible and acceptable for veterans. 2. Using a wait-list control group design, to determine preliminary efficacy of the intervention. 3. Examine follow-up data to determine if benefits are maintained over time.

Detailed description

The study will be a pilot quasi-randomized controlled design comparing the 8-session Yoga for Warriors program, conducted via a web-based platform, utilizing a wait-list control, with wait-list participants being enrolled in subsequent groups. Measures of treatment satisfaction will be given and rates of initiation following screening and drop-out will be measured. A battery of assessments will be given at baseline (group introduction), at mid-point (around session 4), and following completion of the group. To determine maintenance effects, select assessments and re-administration of the study assessment battery will be conducted 3 months post-completion. Potentially interested participants will be screened for eligibility. Screening for eligibility will occur over the phone and those who are interested in participating and willing to engage in the online format and who meet inclusion criteria based on study staff screening will go through the informed consent process over the phone or virtually. Collection of informed consent from participants will not include written documentation of informed consent given the fully virtual nature of this study during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) restrictions (waiver of documentation of consent has been submitted). Paperless recording of willingness to participate will take place, with no written documentation of consent to participate. Participants will attend an initial online orientation session (prior to the first yoga session), either in a group format or individually, where they will be provided information on the group, will be randomized into the treatment group or to the wait-list control group. To attend the orientation session and all yoga sessions, participants will be emailed the specific, secured link to the online platform. Participants will complete the measures over the phone with the study coordinator. This will be an 8 week (+1 orientation session) group conducted remotely, online, with additional self-report measures completed mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at follow-up, in the same manner as described above.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALYoga

8 week Yoga for chronic pain and PTSD group intervention, conducted virtually

Sponsors

Virginia Commonwealth University
CollaboratorOTHER
McGuire Research Institute
CollaboratorOTHER
Hunter Holmes Mcguire Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Delayed cross-over design, with a Waitlist control. This study was a quasi-randomization to Active or Waitlist and Waitlist individuals were then moved to the Active group after assessment.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of chronic pain (defined as pain for \> 3 months) in the electronic medical record and a score of 50 or more on the Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) * Probable PTSD defined as being above the clinical threshold on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), sum score at or above 25 * Able to stand up from sitting on the floor without assistance * Able to ambulate community distances without an assistive device * Intact sensation in lower extremities below knees * Medical clearance by primary care provider * Access to a computer/laptop/ipad with internet and video capability.

Exclusion criteria

* Fall risk * Pregnancy * Joint replacement within the past 12 months * Active alcohol/other substance abuse or dependence (unless actively engaged in treatment) * Current psychotic disorder or hospitalization with psychotic symptoms in past 3 months * Active (past 3 months) suicidal or homicidal ideation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistic Manual for Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5)past week; assessed at baseline, mid-treatment (after week 4), post-treatment (after week 8), 3 month follow upAssess current symptoms of PTSD in line with DSM-5 criteria (20 items)
Pain Disability Questionnairepast week; assessed at baseline, mid-treatment (after week 4), post-treatment (after week 8), 3 month follow up; Items rated on 1 to 10-point scale; higher scores indicate worse outcomeAssesses self report of impact of pain in functioning (15 items)
Pain Catastrophizing Scalecurrent; past week; assessed at baseline, mid-treatment (after week 4), post-treatment (after week 8), 3 month follow up; Items rated 0 to 4; higher scores indicate worse outcomesAssesses self report of thoughts and worries related to chronic pain (13 items)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Short Form AngerPast 7 days; assessed at baseline and post-treatment (8 weeks); Items rated 1 to 5; raw scores converted to T scores; higher scores mean worse outcomesAssesses emotional distress and anger (5 items)
Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Short Form Social RolesPast 7 days; assessed at baseline and post-treatment; (8 weeks); Items rated 1 to 5; raw scores converted to T scores; higher scores mean better outcomesAssesses ability to participate in social roles and activities
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8)Time in intervention; Assessed at post-treatment (8 weeks); Items rated 1 to 4; higher scores indicate better outcomesTh CSQ is an 8-item measure assesses general intervention satisfaction
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire -- Short Form (LES-Q-SF)past week; assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks), 3 month follow up; Items rated 1 to 5; higher scores indicate better outcomesThe Q-LES-Q-SF is a 16-item scale used to measure quality of life
Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11)Current; assessed at baseline, mid-treatment (4 weeks), post-treatment (8 weeks), 3 month follow up; Items rated 1 to 4; higher scores indicate worse outcomesThe TSK-11 is an 11-item scale used to measure general perceptions of pain interference
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)Past 2 weeks; assessed at baseline and post-treatment (8 weeks); Items rated 0 to 3; higher scores indicate worse outcomesThe PHQ-9 assesses depression severity
Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7)Past 2 weeks; assessed at baseline and post-treatment (8 weeks); Items rated 0 to 3; higher scores indicate worse outcomesThe GAD-7 measures anxiety experienced

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 5, 2026