The Effects of a Virtual Yoga Program on Patients With Chronic Pain

Inclusion criteria

• chronic pain for > 6 months' duration
• on stable doses of medication prior to entering the study and agree not to change medications or dosages (or CAM treatments) during the trial
• have an average pain score of 4/10 or greater over the previous week
• at least mild degree of sleep disturbance, defined as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score >5
• are able to speak and understand English
• have access to a computer or tablet at home and have an email address
• are not currently engaged in a rigorous daily exercise routine (>5X/week)
• are willing and physically able to participate in virtual yoga-based exercise

Exclusion criteria

• currently under active cancer treatment (chemo, infusion, ongoing radiation)
• acute osteomyelitis or acute bone disease
• current diagnosis of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
• present or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder, or dissociative disorder that would be judged to interfere with study participation
• pregnancy
• any clinically unstable systemic illness judged to interfere with exercise treatment
• a pain condition requiring urgent surgery
• an active addiction disorder, such as cocaine or IV heroin use, that would interfere with study participation
• contraindications to yoga (e.g., severe back or neck injury or surgery)
• regular meditation practice or other meditative practice (e.g tai-chi, meditative form of yoga or contemplative prayer) for >20 min/week in the past 2 years
• participating in any other therapeutic trial
• other medical condition that would interfere with ability to exercise