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NCT Number: NCT01797263

Pain Outcomes Comparing Yoga Versus Structured Exercise (POYSE) Trial

The Pain Outcomes comparing Yoga versus Structured Exercise (POYSE) Trial is a 2-arm parallel group, randomized clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of a yoga-based intervention (YOGA) with that of a structured exercise program (SEP) for subjects with fibromyalgia. The study aims are: 1) to compare the interventions' (YOGA vs. SEP) effects on overall fibromyalgia severity at 1 month (early response), 3 months (immediate post-intervention) and at 6 and 9 months (sustained effects); 2) to compare the interventions effects on specific fibromyalgia symptoms (pain, sleep, and fatigue), functional impairment, and related outcomes (quality of life, psychological symptoms); and 3) to compare the cost-effectiveness of the interventions.

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Key information

Conditions

Fibromyalgia Behavior Motor Activity Muscular Diseases Musculoskeletal Diseases Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Diseases Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Rheumatic Diseases Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202-2884, United States

About this study

This study sample will include 306 Veterans with fibromyalgia. Patients will be randomized to one of two treatment arms. The YOGA arm will involve a standardized 12-week, yoga-based intervention. The yoga intervention will consist of three treatment components: 1) in-person group yoga taught by a certified yoga therapist; 2) a relaxation audio recording for home-use; and 3) a DVD recording to reinforce concepts taught during in-person yoga sessions. Patients randomized to the structured exercise program (SEP) arm will participate in a 12-week exercise program delivered in a group/class format and supervised by a fitness instructor. In addition, SEP patients will receive a DVD (for home use) describing the benefits of aerobic exercise for fibromyalgia, a one-on-one consultation session with the fitness instructor, an individualized exercise prescription, and supervised exercise sessions for 12 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Veterans will be eligible if they have:

  • Widespread Pain Index (WPI) greater than 7 and Symptom Severity Scale (SS) greater than 5 or WPI 3-6 and SS greater than 9.
  • Symptoms have been present at a similar level for at least 3 months
  • The subject does not have a disorder that would otherwise explain the pain
  • Moderate pain severity (pain severity score greater than 5)
  • No changes in fibromyalgia medications for last 4 weeks
  • Access to a working telephone

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

includes:

  • Severe medical conditions in which exercise is contraindicated (such as significant cardiovascular disease, COPD or asthma needing home oxygen, stroke or TIA in last 6 months, cancer (other than skin cancer) and receiving treatment for it
  • Active psychosis
  • Hospitalized for psychiatric reasons within the last 6 months
  • Active suicidal ideation
  • Moderate to severe cognitive impairment
  • Involvement in ongoing yoga classes or moderately intense exercise program in the last 3 months

Treatment and study plan

yoga

Other

A 12-week yoga intervention modified for Veterans with fibromyalgia. Each weekly session will last approximately 75 minutes. The standardized sequence of yoga poses will be introduced to participants and the instructor will tailor them to the participant's needs and abilities. Deep breathing exercises will be taught and emphasized throughout every session. Participants will be encouraged to exercise according to their limits, rather than rigid adherence to posture techniques. The yoga intervention will be tailored to the individual. It will include low intensity, low impact modified poses adapted with pathophysiologic changes of fibromyalgia in mind. Participants will also be given a Playaway(c) device with guided relaxation exercise recorded on it and asked to listen to it three times a week to reinforce the in person yoga session content.

Structured Exercise

Other

A 12-week group exercise session consisting of a graded aerobic exercise program. The program will start at low intensity with gradual increases in exercise intensity and duration. Each weekly session will last 75 minutes. The fitness instructor will teach participants to use a table-top ergometer at a sub-maximal level, determine baseline fitness, and develop an individualized exercise prescription. The fitness instructor will provide educational tips on exercise and selection of physical activities. Participants will be given a pedometer and heart rate monitor to track their exercise at home. They will also be given an exercise DVD to use at home.

Primary outcomes

  1. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR) Total Score

    Time frame: 3 month

    This measure will be assessed at Baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. The 3 month is the primary end point and the 6 and 9 month assessments are for sustained effect. Min:0, Max: 90. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised Difficulty Subscale

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This represents a subscale of the FIQr and measures patient perceived difficulty related to fibromyalgia. Min:0, Max: 20. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  2. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised Impact Subscale

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This is a subscale of the FIQr and measures the overall impact of fibromyalgia symptoms. Min:0, Max: 100. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  3. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised Symptoms Subscale

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This subscale of the FIQr provides an overall fibromyalgia symptom score. Min:0, Max: 100. Higher Score = Worse Outcome

  4. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Severity Subscale

    Time frame: 3 month

    is an 11-item, multidimensional pain measurement tool with demonstrated reliability in patients with arthritis as well as other pain conditions. The BPI rates the intensity of pain as well as the interference of pain with mood, physical activity, work, social activity, relations with others, sleep, and enjoyment of life.Min:0, Max: 40. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  5. PHQ-9 for Depression

    Time frame: 3 Month

    will be used to assess depression severity. Several studies have validated the PHQ-9 as a diagnostic measure with excellent psychometric properties. Internal consistency has consistently been shown to be high (Cronbach's alpha > 0.80) and test-retest assessment showed the PHQ-9 to be a responsive and reliable measure of depression treatment outcomes. Min:0, Max: 27. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  6. GAD-7 Anxiety Scale

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This 7-item scale represent a measure of anxiety symptom severity and provides a score from 0 to 21 with higher scores representing more severe anxiety

  7. PTSD Checklist of Symptoms

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This 17-item scale assess PTSD symptom severity and provides a severity score; with higher scores representing more severe PTSD. Min: 0, Max: 85 with higher scores representing more severity.

  8. SF-12 Physical Score (Health-related Quality of Life)

    Time frame: 3 Month

    The SF-12 is a well-validate measure of health-related quality of life; providing a physical and mental health component summary score. Min:0, Max: 100. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  9. SF-12 Mental Score (Health-related Quality of Life)

    Time frame: 3 Month

    The SF-12 is a well-validate measure of health-related quality of life; providing a physical and mental health component summary score. Min:0, Max: 100. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  10. Multi-dimensional Fatigue Inventory

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This scale assesses overall fatigue and has been well-validated and used in other fibromyalgia trials. Min:0, Max: 100. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  11. MOS Sleep Scale - Problems Index

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This scale assesses different aspects of sleep quality and provides an overall index with higher scores representing more severe sleep problems. Min:0, Max: 100. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  12. Pain Catastrophizing Scale

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This 13-item scale assesses pain catastrophizing which has been found to be a predictor of poor treatment response. Min: 0. Max: 52. Higher Score = Worse Outcome.

  13. Arthritis Self-efficacy Scale

    Time frame: 3 Month

    This scale has been well-validated to assess self-efficacy or confidence in a person's ability to complete a task. Min: 0, Max: 60. Higher score represents improvement.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

VA Office of Research and Development

Fed

Registry information

Acronym: POYSE

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Feb 22, 2013
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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