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Behavioural Intervention

Yoga-Based Stretching for Inflammation

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Peter M Wayne, PhD

Research Sponsored by Harvard University Faculty of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Age between 40 - 60 years old

Healthy adults

Must not have

Significant soft tissue injury

Surgical supportive devices (nails, wire, screws, pins, plates) in an area of the body to be stretched (toes, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers and spine)

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline, 0-, 30-, 60-, 120-, 180-minutes and 24 hours post intervention.

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will test how two types of yoga-based stretching affects levels of inflammation in people who have never done yoga before.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for healthy, non-smoking adults aged 40-60 with a BMI of 19-29. It's not suitable for those with fractures in the last 3 years, pregnant individuals, regular intense exercisers, those with significant soft tissue injuries or metal implants in areas to be stretched, substance abusers, anyone with chronic inflammation or recent acute illness, recent vaccinations, medication use within a week prior to the study start date, endocrine disorders like diabetes or conditions causing joint hypermobility.

What is being tested?

The study examines how two types of yoga-based stretching (mild and intense) affect inflammatory markers and healing molecules in people who haven't done much yoga before. Researchers will measure changes in Systemic Inflammatory Cytokines and Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators after these stretching sessions.

What are the potential side effects?

Yoga-based stretching is generally safe but may include mild discomfort or muscle soreness especially if participants are new to yoga. Intense stretches might lead to more pronounced muscle soreness or strain.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

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I am between 40 and 60 years old.

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I am a healthy adult.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

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I have a serious injury to my muscles, tendons, or ligaments.

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I have metal supports like screws or plates in my body where I need to stretch.

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I have had a bone fracture in the last 3 years.

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I have been vaccinated in the last 3 months.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline, 0-, 30-, 60-, 120-, 180-minutes and 24 hours post intervention.

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline, 0-, 30-, 60-, 120-, 180-minutes and 24 hours post intervention.

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, 0-, 30-, 60-, 120-, 180-minutes and 24 hours post intervention. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Feasibility of a pilot study including one session of acute stretching and serial blood samples over a period of 24 hours.

Secondary study objectives

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)

Systemic inflammatory cytokines

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Stretching protocol 2, Intense Stretching Group (ISG):Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

The protocol starts with 5 minutes of instruction about finding a range of stretching representing approximately 100% of the range of motion and pain-free. The instructor will also wear wrist and ankle reflective bands as body-marks to show a posture with 100% stretch. Once the participant grasps the concept the routine will begin with 5 minutes of warm-up, followed by stretching exercises targeting 10 anatomical groups. Each posture will last 1 minute divided in 30 seconds of settling into each posture and 30 seconds of holding. Each session will be video recorded to analyze the stretching range, only if the participant agrees at the informed consent visit. Participants will be encouraged to find their own 100% with some feedback from the instructor.

Group II: Stretching protocol 1, Mild Stretching Group (MSG)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

The protocol starts with 5 minutes of instruction about finding a range of stretching representing approximately 50% of the range of motion and pain-free. The instructor will also wear wrist and ankle reflective bands as body-marks to show a posture with 100% stretch and then corrected to 50%. Once the participant grasps the concept the routine will begin with 5 minutes of warm-up, followed by stretching exercises targeting 10 anatomical groups. Each posture will last 1 minute divided in 30 seconds of settling into each posture and 30 seconds of holding. Each session will be video recorded to analyze the stretching range, only if the participant agrees at the informed consent visit. Participants will be encouraged to find their own 50% with some feedback from the instructor.

Group III: Control group (CG)Active Control1 Intervention

Those subjects randomized to the CG will be offered reading options that do not evoke high emotional distress. They will spend an hour reading.

0 / 6Eligibility criteria met