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MediationISHA-ImpactNCT04189146

Inner Engineering Yoga Program on Short and Long Term Health Effects (ISHA-Impact): A Longitudinal Study

A study testing Inner Engineering Intervention in people with Mediation and Mood, run by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study will include any participant who registered, and plans to attend the Inner Engineering In-Person Completion Course. In 2019, this course was offered in: Los Angeles in March, Philadelphia in April and Toronto \& Dallas in November. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Mediation, Mood, Stress
What is being tested?
Inner Engineering Intervention
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
618 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
12 Mar 2019to 31 Dec 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Participants who have registered to take the Inner Engineer Online Course.
  • Participants who have registered to take the Inner Engineer Completion Course.
  • Participants must be able to read and understand English.

Who cannot join

  • Participants who report living outside the United States at the time of enrollment.
  • Participants < 18 years of age.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02215

Other trials in United States

About this study

This study will include any participant who registered, and plans to attend the Inner Engineering In-Person Completion Course. In 2019, this course was offered in: Los Angeles in March, Philadelphia in April and Toronto \& Dallas in November. This study has been involved in every IECO Course since 2019 and is still active today. Beginning in August 2021, investigators will recruit for the August Inner Engineering In-Person Completion Course. Investigators anticipate that this study can include up to 5,000 study participants. Participants would attend this course and complete the pre-modules regardless of whether or not they participate in this study.

Read the detailed description

This study aims to enroll participants who have registered for the Inner Engineering in-person course. Briefly, this course is a 1-2 day in-person course, in which participants will learn a simple 21 minute practice called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, also known as Shambhavi Kriya. Shambhavi Kriya is a powerful and purifying energy technique which incorporates the breath. This practice is said to align the body systems so that the body, mind and emotions function in harmony. More information about the course can be found on the ISHA foundation website: https://www.innerengineering.com/ieo-new/completion/.

Registrants for IECO are asked to complete a series of seven (7) online modules (IEO) prior to the start of the in-person course. The online series provides the participants with an opportunity to intellectually explore the basics of life using methods that are distilled from the essence of yogic sciences. The course imparts wisdom to manage the body, mind, emotions, and the fundamental life energy within.

Importantly, the course modules (IEO) and the in-person meeting (IECO) and subsequent meditation and yoga practices would occur regardless of whether or not a person decided to participate in the study. The only study procedure imparted includes requesting the participants to complete a series of surveys over a one-year period.

This study only involves administration of electronic surveys at six different time points. These time points include: at the time of consent; after completing the Inner Engineering Online modules but before the in-person course begins; after the completion of the in-person (IECO) course; at 6 weeks; at 6 months and at 12 months. These surveys can take up to 15 minutes to complete. Electronic reminders will be sent to participants who have not completed these surveys within a week.

Additionally, participants must complete a two-minute compliance survey at the end of each week for 6 weeks after IECO completion. After these 6 weeks, this same two-minute compliance survey will be sent monthly until the end of the year. This survey is an important component of our data analysis, because it collects information on the frequency and duration of their routine practice.

Participants can choose to either complete their baseline \& post-IEO surveys only, or continue and complete Post IECO- 1 year follow up period. A break was incorporated because IEO \& IECO are 2 separate events, and participants who chose to complete IEO may not necessarily complete IECO. This break ensures maximum participation.

This study will include participants who are registered and plan to attend any Inner Engineering Online \& Inner Engineering Online Completion Course. This course is offered several times throughout the year and each course has several hundred participants. We anticipate we can collect data from up to 5,000 study participants and create a significant database of Inner Engineering practitioners.

Being tested
Inner Engineering Intervention
Medical subject headings
Negotiating, Habits, Alcohol Drinking, Pain, Anxiety Disorders, Depression

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Inner Engineering InterventionBehavioural

    The intervention investigators propose for the study includes an Online Course with 7 modules, or a 10 hours long course, and a 1-2 day In-Person Course, in which participants will learn a simple 21 minute practice called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, also known as Shambhavi Kriya.

    Shambhavi Kriya is a powerful and purifying energy technique incorporating the breath. This practice is said to align the participants system such that their body, mind and emotions function in harmony.

Study groups in NCT04189146
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Inner Engineering InterventionOtherThe intervention investigators propose for the study includes an Online Course with 7 modules, or a 10 hours long course, and a 1-2 day In-Person Course, in which participants will learn a simple 21 minute practice called Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, also known as Shambhavi Kriya.
Receives: Behavioral: Inner Engineering Intervention

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in Perceived Stress Levels

    The study aims to evaluate changes in perceived levels of stress in survey participants and the effect Inner Engineering has over them in long term. The investigators use a validated scale for this purpose named, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The scale measures the degree to which situations in participant's life are appraised as stressful. This is defined to be the key secondary outcome for the study. Higher scores are suggestive of more stress. Logistic regression analysis is performed on the outcome measures collected over the specified time-frame.

    Measured: The investigators collect these scores at the 6 pre-specified time points; i.e., at the time of consent; after completing the IEO modules but before conference; post conference completion; at 6 weeks; at 6 months and at 12 months.

  2. Mood Changes

    The study aims to evaluate changes in mood profiles affected by the Inner Engineering Online (IEO) over time. For evaluation of mood profiles the investigators use a validated scale named, Profile of Mood States (POMS). The scale measures different dimensions of mood swings over a period of time and calculates Total Mood Disturbances by performing a sub-scale analysis. The subscales defined include Tension, Depression, Anger, Fatigue, Confusion \& Vigor. Higher scores are suggestive of poorer outcome. Logistic regression analysis is performed on the outcome measures collected over the specified time-frame.

    Measured: The investigators collect these scores at the 6 pre-specified time points; i.e., at the time of consent; after completing the IEO modules but before conference; post conference completion; at 6 weeks; at 6 months and at 12 months.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Dec 2019
  2. Study start12 Mar 2019
  3. Primary completion17 Dec 2023
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
This study only involves administration of electronic surveys at six different time points. These time points include: at the time of consent; after completing the Inner Engineering Online modules but before the in-person course begins; after the completion of the in-person (IECO) course; at 6 weeks; at 6 months and at 12 months. These surveys can take up to 15 minutes to complete. Electronic reminders will be sent to participants who have not completed these surveys within a week. Additionally, participants must complete a two-minute compliance survey at the end of each week for 6 weeks after IECO completion. After these 6 weeks, this same two-minute compliance survey will be sent monthly until the end of the year. This survey is an important component of our data analysis, because it collects information on the frequency and duration of their routine practice.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
618 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04189146
Sponsor's protocol ID
2019P000205
Acronym
ISHA-Impact
Status last verified
Jan 2025
First submitted
11 Oct 2019
Last updated
27 Jan 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Hyman SA, Shotwell MS, Michaels DR, Han X, Card EB, Morse JL, Weinger MB. A Survey Evaluating Burnout, Health Status, Depression, Reported Alcohol and Substance Use, and Social Support of Anesthesiologists. Anesth Analg. 2017 Dec;125(6):2009-2018. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000002298.

    PubMed 28991114
  • Kato T. Development of the Sleep Quality Questionnaire in healthy adults. J Health Psychol. 2014 Aug;19(8):977-86. doi: 10.1177/1359105313482168. Epub 2013 May 29.

    PubMed 23720542
  • Shioata, M.N., D. Keltner, and O.P. John, Positive Emotion Dispositions Differntially Associatd with Big Five Personality and Attachement Style. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2006. 1(2): p. 61-71.

  • Ryan RM, Frederick C. On energy, personality, and health: subjective vitality as a dynamic reflection of well-being. J Pers. 1997 Sep;65(3):529-65. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.1997.tb00326.x.

    PubMed 9327588
  • Ryan RM, Deci EL. On happiness and human potentials: a review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annu Rev Psychol. 2001;52:141-66. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.141.

    PubMed 11148302
  • Peterson CT, Bauer SM, Chopra D, Mills PJ, Maturi RK. Effects of Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya, a Multicomponent Breath-Based Yogic Practice ( Pranayama), on Perceived Stress and General Well-Being. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017 Oct;22(4):788-797. doi: 10.1177/2156587217730934. Epub 2017 Sep 22.

    PubMed 29228793
  • Muralikrishnan K, Balakrishnan B, Balasubramanian K, Visnegarawla F. Measurement of the effect of Isha Yoga on cardiac autonomic nervous system using short-term heart rate variability. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012 Apr;3(2):91-6. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.96528.

    PubMed 22707866
  • Selvaraj, N., et al., Heart Rate Dynamics during Shambhavi Mahamudra - A Practice of Isha Yoga. Journal of Complementary and Inegrative Medicine, 2008. 5(1): p. 1-22.

  • Swaminathan A, DeSchryver B, Rayapuraju A, Barbaro J, Orui H, Subramaniam B, Reed PU. From strain to strength: a yearlong study on the transformative influence of inner engineering online program on mental well-being. Front Psychol. 2025 Feb 4;16:1436910. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1436910. eCollection 2025.

    PubMed 39968198
  • Upadhyay P, Joshi A, Mishra I, Kelly L, Novack L, Hariri S, Kveraga K, Subramaniam B. Short Term Effects of Inner Engineering Completion Online Program on Stress and Well-Being Measures. Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 27;13:814224. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.814224. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 35572309

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Inner Engineering Intervention in people with Mediation and Mood, run by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 27 Jan 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in Perceived Stress Levels (time frame: The investigators collect these scores at the 6 pre-specified time points; i.e., at the time of consent; after completing the IEO modules but before conference; post conference completion; at 6 weeks; at 6 months and at 12 months.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04189146, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 27 Jan 2025.

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