YOGA-FIT: Investigating the Feasibility and Impact of Virtual Versus In-person Yoga for Late Subacute & Chronic Stroke Survivors

Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA)

Status: Begins enrollment this month

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Behavioral: LoveYourBrain Yoga

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07143162

YOGA-FIT

Details and patient eligibility

About

The main objective of this mixed-methods pilot crossover study is to determine the feasibility of virtual and in-person LYB Yoga for adult stroke survivors in Nova Scotia who are at least three months post stroke or more.

The secondary objective is to estimate the efficacy of virtual and in-person yoga for improving balance, walking, mobility, mental health (anxiety and depression), and other health outcomes (pain, sleep, health perception, and falls).

The tertiary objective is to estimate the extent to which cognitive function, fatigue, and health-related quality of life co-evolve with our secondary outcomes.

Participants will engage in LYB Yoga virtual and in-person classes for 90 minutes each, twice per week, as well as one 60-minute recorded class completed on their own time.

Full description

LoveYourBrain (LYB) is a six-week manualized Yoga program that was originally developed for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. The sessions involve meditation, breathing, a variety of Yoga postures, and psychoeducation and discussion components. The program contains key aspects of neuroplasticity and motor learning, which are essential for promoting stroke recovery.

This program can be adapted to suit the needs of the subacute and chronic stroke survivor population: adjusting postures to allow for hemi-paretic stroke survivor participation, as well as a variety of seated and standing options will be made available in the LYB Yoga program. This program will also involve group discussion, educational activities, and coping strategies to help with stroke recovery, while creating a sense of community and mutual understanding.

The program has not yet been offered in the stroke context, nor is it available across Nova Scotia. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to test the feasibility of adapting LYB for the stroke context and making it widely available across Nova Scotia in a virtual and in-person format.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Participants will be eligible if they are an adult (aged 18 or older) late subacute or chronic survivor (minimum of three-months post stroke), residing in Nova Scotia, capable of walking 10-metres or more independently or with supervision or the use of an aid or orthotic, and medically stable for eight weeks prior to the baseline visit. Participants must also be able to follow a three-step command.

Exclusion criteria

Participants with severe neglect or other issues affecting their safety and participation will be excluded. Participants with cardiovascular, orthopedic, or neurological diseases other than stroke, impacting walking, balance, and mobility will be excluded. Participants who do not have a stable and reliable internet connection will be excluded.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

In-person LoveYourBrain Yoga

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will engage in a 90-minute in-person class that will consist of 10 minutes of breathing, 45 minutes of Yoga postures, 15 minutes of meditation, and 20 minutes of psychoeducation and discussion. Additionally, participants will complete a 45- to 60-minute recorded class on their own time.

Treatment:

Behavioral: LoveYourBrain Yoga

Virtual LoveYourBrain Yoga

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will engage in a 90-minute virtual class that will consist of 10 minutes of breathing, 45 minutes of Yoga postures, 15 minutes of meditation, and 20 minutes of psychoeducation and discussion. Additionally, participants will complete a 45- to 60-minute recorded class on their own time.

Treatment:

Behavioral: LoveYourBrain Yoga