NCT05031221

Feasibility and Impact of Yoga in Obesity

A Proof-of-Concept Study Examining the Addition of Yoga to a Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention on Energy Balance and Health-Related Outcomes

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 21 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Yoga may confer health benefits in people with overweight or obesity that enhance weight loss and weight loss maintenance. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of integrating yoga into an established behavioral weight loss program and describe the effects on glucose control, appetite, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychological health.

Detailed description

Innovative approaches to improve long-term behavioral weight loss (BWL) program outcomes are critically needed. Current BWL programs typically produce modest (\~5-10%) short-term (\~6 month) weight loss, but substantial weight regain by 1-year is common and well-documented. There has been a growing interest in examining the effects of yoga on weight loss and cardio-metabolic disease risk among adults with overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, and diabetes. Overall, results are somewhat promising, but reviews and meta-analyses all conclude that existing studies suffer from significant methodological shortcomings. Moreover, yoga is broadly, variably, and often incorrectly defined, reflecting how key aspects of traditional yoga practice, with specific mind, body, and breath-based practices were lost in translation when yoga was commercially adopted as a form of exercise in the West. These key aspects warrant inclusion in yoga intervention research. The overall objectives of the proposed research are to 1) Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of adding a 12-week traditional, multi-component yoga program to a standard BWL intervention (BWL+yoga), and 2) Explore changes in clinical/cardiometabolic, psychological, and energy balance/behavioral measures relevant for reducing cardio-metabolic disease risk. The yoga intervention was developed in collaboration with a world-renowned expert in traditional yoga practices following three decades of dedicated study, practice, and teaching (Mr. Paul Dallaghan). The program includes specific postures (asana), breathing (pranayama), and meditation (inner focus) techniques performed with an underlying focus on self-awareness delivered in-person and virtually. These specific techniques have been practiced historically and described for their benefits in the original Sanskrit teachings but are often excluded from yoga programs developed in the West. The overarching hypotheses are that these specific Hatha (body-breath) and Pantanjala (mind) yoga practices will be feasible in the context of a BWL, will support the adoption of changes in diet and physical activity, and improve mental and physical health.

Conditions

• Yoga
• Obesity
• Weight Loss

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Yoga + behavioral weight loss	A 12-week, one-arm proof-of-concept and feasibility study will be conducted at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU-AMC) to assess the processes critical for the success of future randomized trials including: a) Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of adding a multi-component yoga program to a standard BWL intervention and b) Examining pre-post changes in relevant clinical/cardiometabolic, psychological, and energy balance/behavioral outcomes to inform the design of future trials. Participants will receive a comprehensive, group-based BWL intervention consistent with current guidelines for obesity treatment and a carefully designed multi-component yoga intervention delivered through pre-recorded videos delivered through a cloud-based platform that will be completed in-person and at-home (BWL+yoga).

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-08-02
• Primary completion: 2022-08-15
• Completion: 2022-08-15
• First posted: 2021-09-01
• Last updated: 2022-12-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States