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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01024816

Practicing Restorative Yoga or Stretching for the Metabolic Syndrome

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Restorative yoga versus stretching exercises will reduce risk factors for metabolic syndrome in adults with metabolic syndrome.

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Key information

Age range

21 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States

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About this study

Metabolic abnormalities, including visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia, occur together and are associated with excessive caloric intake and inadequate physical activity. Persons with the metabolic syndrome are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle and behavioral interventions reduce these risks, but many individuals with increased metabolic risk find it difficult to achieve and maintain weight loss and increased physical activity.

We are conducting a rigorous randomized controlled trial at two clinical sites to determine if Restorative yoga compared to stretching exercises improves the metabolic syndrome among overweight and underactive individuals who meet criteria for the metabolic syndrome.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Anyone between the ages of 21 and 65 who may meet the criteria for the metabolic syndrome can sign-up for the screening process. A more thorough screening process will be conducted to determine whether or not you are eligible to enroll in the study
  • Underactive
  • Overweight

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnancy or breast feeding
  • Chronic illnesses: cancer, kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver, rheumatologic diseases, or chronic infections
  • Not ambulatory or neurological condition causing impaired mobility
  • Weight over 400 pounds
  • History of or plans for bariatric surgery
  • Inability to speak and read English

Treatment and study plan

Restorative Yoga

Behavioral

Group yoga sessions: Participants will attend 90 minute yoga group classes for 48 weeks: twice a week for 6 weeks, then once weekly during weeks 7 to 12, then every other week for weeks 13 - 24, and once a month for 6 months. We plan a progressive series of classes, with a subset of poses for each class and then selecting individual poses to focus on in each class.

Home yoga practice: Participants will be given a video disk (DVD) of the yoga postures at the start of the yoga intervention practice. We will also provide the yoga participants with a written manual with pictures and descriptions of each posture that they will be taught in the group sessions. The participants will be asked to practice the postures taught during their group sessions at home at least three times a week with the assistance of the DVD and manual. Each participant will be given a set of yoga props for their use at home. We will ask all participants to keep a log of their home practice sessions

Stretching

Behavioral

Group classes: Participants will attend 90 minute group stretching classes for 48 weeks: twice a week for 6 weeks, then once weekly during weeks 7 to 12, then every other week for weeks 13 - 24, and once a month for 6 months. The stretches will address all body parts, including cervical, upper extremity, thoracic, lumbar, pelvic, and lower extremity musculature.

Home stretching practice: Each participant will receive a written manual with pictures and descriptions of each stretch that they will be learning in group sessions and a DVD with instruction on each of the stretches. The participants will be asked to practice the stretches taught during their group sessions at home at least three times a week with the assistance of the DVD and manual. Each participant will be given stretching supplies. We will ask all participants to keep a log of their home practice sessions.

Primary outcomes

  1. visceral adiposity by abdominal CT scan

    Time frame: 6-months and 12-months

Secondary outcomes

  1. systolic blood pressure, fasting triglycerides, and fasting insulin levels (co-primary outcomes); change in glucose tolerance, HbA1c levels, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and quality of life (secondary outcomes).

    Time frame: 6-months and 12-months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Francisco

Other

Collaborators

  • University of California, San Diego

Registry information

Acronym: PRYSMS

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2013
First posted
Dec 3, 2009
Registry last updated
Jun 26, 2014

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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