Chronic Back PainNCT04270617
The Effect of Yoga Practice on Chronic Back Pain
A study testing Yoga program in people with Chronic Back Pain, run by NYU Langone Health at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Chronic low back pain is notoriously difficult to treat and is a primary contributor to lost work days and excessive health expenditures, and whose treatment has, in part, contributed to the opioid crisis. Surgery is only an option in a minority of these patients, usually confined to those with structural instability. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Chronic Back Pain
- What is being tested?
- Yoga program
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Dec 2019to Jan 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Willingness to and ability to participate in study procedures
- Chronic back pain (pain above the gluteal cleft of at least 3 months duration)
Who cannot join
- Indication for surgery (i.e., fracture, infection, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis)
- Cardiac, pulmonary or other medical comorbidities that preclude participation in yoga practice
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
NYULangone
New York, New York, 10003
Erich Anderer, (718) 630-6580, erich.anderer@nyulangone.org
About this study
Official title: A Prospective, Randomized-controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of a Standardized Yoga Practice on Chronic Back Pain
Chronic low back pain is notoriously difficult to treat and is a primary contributor to lost work days and excessive health expenditures, and whose treatment has, in part, contributed to the opioid crisis. Surgery is only an option in a minority of these patients, usually confined to those with structural instability. Yoga is an ancient modality whose benefits are currently being studied.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this research study is to determine whether a 6 week standardized yoga practice is superior to usual conservative therapies in the treatment of chronic back pain at 6 months. There is enough data that the most recent ACP guidelines have included yoga as a treatment for chronic back pain, but more data needs to be generated regarding the efficacy of this modality in treating the chronic back pain population.
- Conditions
- Chronic Back Pain
- Being tested
- Yoga program
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Yoga programBehavioural
The intervention will be a 6-week ashtanga yoga program designed by world-renowned yogi Eddie Stern. Eddie Stern is an internationally known Ashtanga yoga teacher, in independent practice not affiliated with NYULH, who has done significant work exploring the physiology and science of yoga. He is not currently engaged in his own research. The yoga protocol for chronic back pain was designed with poses specific to addressing core strength but are gentle enough for patients in pain. The protocol is designed to be directed by a teacher initially but can be done at home and is only 18 minutes in duration.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control arm | No intervention | The control arm will involve usual care - 6 weeks of physical therapy, NSAIDs, and epidural steroid injections |
| Yoga Arm | Experimental | The study arm will involve a yoga protocol devised by Eddie Stern - a renowned Ashtanga yoga practitioner, and can include NSAIDs. Receives: Behavioral: Yoga program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in VAS(visual analog scale)
The visual analogue scale or visual analog scale (VAS) is designed to measure pain intensity with less pain being experienced by those in the intervention group in comparison to the control group.
Measured: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit
Changes in ODI (Oswestry Disability Index)
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is an index derived from the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire used by clinicians and researchers to quantify disability for low back pain. Improvement will be measured by the lower score out of a 100, which reflects less disability.
Measured: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit
Changes in SF-36 (Short Form (36) Health Survey )
The Short Form (36) Health Survey is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. Improvement with those with Yoga will be seen by higher scores in SF-36 which indicate lower disability.
Measured: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit
Secondary outcomes (3)
Long term changes in VAS after intervention
The visual analogue scale or visual analog scale (VAS) is designed to measure pain intensity with less pain being experienced by those in the intervention group in comparison to the control group.
Measured: Baseline Visit, 6 weeks Visit , 3 months Visit , 1 year Visit , 2 years Visit
Long term changes in ODI after intervention
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is an index derived from the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire used by clinicians and researchers to quantify disability for low back pain. Improvement will be measured by the lower score out of a 100, which reflects less disability.
Measured: Baseline Visit, 6 weeks Visit , 3 months Visit , 1 year Visit , 2 years Visit
Long term changes in SF-36 after intervention
The Short Form (36) Health Survey is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. Improvement with those with Yoga will be seen by higher scores in SF-36 which indicate lower disability.
Measured: Baseline Visit, 6 weeks Visit , 3 months Visit , 1 year Visit , 2 years Visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Feb 2020
- Study start1 Dec 2019
- Primary completionJan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completionJan 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Chronic Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by NYU Langone HealthThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- NYU Langone Health
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Erich Anderer, Principal investigator, NYU Langone Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04270617
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 19-00824
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Feb 2020
- Last updated
- 4 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices).
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Prospective, Randomized-controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of a Standardized Yoga Practice on Chronic Back Pain
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04270617
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 19-00824
- Conditions
- Chronic Back Pain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- NYU Langone HealthUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Dec 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jan 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jan 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 17 Feb 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Chronic low back pain is notoriously difficult to treat and is a primary contributor to lost work days and excessive health expenditures, and whose treatment has, in part, contributed to the opioid crisis. Surgery is only an option in a minority of these patients, usually confined to those with structural instability. Yoga is an ancient modality whose benefits are currently being studied.
Detailed description
The purpose of this research study is to determine whether a 6 week standardized yoga practice is superior to usual conservative therapies in the treatment of chronic back pain at 6 months. There is enough data that the most recent ACP guidelines have included yoga as a treatment for chronic back pain, but more data needs to be generated regarding the efficacy of this modality in treating the chronic back pain population.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control arm | No intervention | –The control arm will involve usual care - 6 weeks of physical therapy, NSAIDs, and epidural steroid injections |
| Yoga Arm | Experimental | Behavioral: Yoga programThe study arm will involve a yoga protocol devised by Eddie Stern - a renowned Ashtanga yoga practitioner, and can include NSAIDs. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Willingness to and ability to participate in study procedures
- Chronic back pain (pain above the gluteal cleft of at least 3 months duration)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Indication for surgery (i.e., fracture, infection, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis)
- Cardiac, pulmonary or other medical comorbidities that preclude participation in yoga practice
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Yoga programThe intervention will be a 6-week ashtanga yoga program designed by world-renowned yogi Eddie Stern. Eddie Stern is an internationally known Ashtanga yoga teacher, in independent practice not affiliated with NYULH, who has done significant work exploring the physiology and science of yoga. He is not currently engaged in his own research. The yoga protocol for chronic back pain was designed with poses specific to addressing core strength but are gentle enough for patients in pain. The protocol is designed to be directed by a teacher initially but can be done at home and is only 18 minutes in duration. | Behavioural | Yoga Arm |
Primary outcome
Changes in VAS(visual analog scale)
Time frame: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit
The visual analogue scale or visual analog scale (VAS) is designed to measure pain intensity with less pain being experienced by those in the intervention group in comparison to the control group.
Changes in ODI (Oswestry Disability Index)
Time frame: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit
The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) is an index derived from the Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire used by clinicians and researchers to quantify disability for low back pain. Improvement will be measured by the lower score out of a 100, which reflects less disability.
Changes in SF-36 (Short Form (36) Health Survey )
Time frame: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit
The Short Form (36) Health Survey is a 36-item, patient-reported survey of patient health. Improvement with those with Yoga will be seen by higher scores in SF-36 which indicate lower disability.
3 secondary outcomes
Long term changes in VAS after intervention
Time frame: Baseline Visit, 6 weeks Visit , 3 months Visit , 1 year Visit , 2 years Visit
Long term changes in ODI after intervention
Time frame: Baseline Visit, 6 weeks Visit , 3 months Visit , 1 year Visit , 2 years Visit
Long term changes in SF-36 after intervention
Time frame: Baseline Visit, 6 weeks Visit , 3 months Visit , 1 year Visit , 2 years Visit
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Individual participant data that underlie the results reported in this article, after deidentification (text, tables, figures, and appendices).
Related trials for Chronic Back Pain
Not yet recruiting
Effect of Lumbar Stabilization Exercises With and Without YTWL (Scapular Stabilization Exercises) on Reducing Chronic Low Back Pain and Related Disability. A Randomized Clinical Trial,
Chronic Non Specific Mechanical Low Back Pain
Not yet recruiting
Comparing Non-Medicine Strategies for Improving Low Back Pain
Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP), High-Impact Chronic Pain (HICP)
Not yet recruiting
Spinery Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Vertebrogenic Chronic Low Back Pain
Low Back Pain, Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP)
Enrolling by invitation
Effects of 3-dimensional Versus Dynamic Myofascial Release Techniques With Lumbar Mobilization and Exercise Therapy Program in Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain.
Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain, Myofascial Release
RecruitingPhase 2
A Master Protocol Study (LY900028) of Multiple Intervention-Specific-Appendices (ISAs) in Participants With Chronic Pain
Osteoarthritis, Knee, Diabetic Neuropathic Pain
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Erich Anderer principal investigator
NYU Langone Health
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Yoga program in people with Chronic Back Pain, run by NYU Langone Health 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 2 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Jun 2026. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Erich Anderer, MD ((718) 630-6580, erich.anderer@nyulangone.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in VAS(visual analog scale) (time frame: Enrollment visit, 6 months after enrollment visit). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 4 Jun 2026.