Mind-Body TherapiesNCT06107712
Onlıne Yoga Compared to Face-To-Face Yoga on Dıaphragm Thıckness, Body Balance and Psychosocıal Status
A study testing Online yoga exercise and Face-to-face yoga exercise in people with Mind-Body Therapies and Yoga, run by Marmara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The aim of this controlled study was to compare the effects of a six-week online yoga program and a six-week face-to-face yoga program on diaphragm function, body balance, and psychosocial outcomes in young women. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Mind-Body Therapies, Yoga, Telerehabilitation
- What is being tested?
- Online yoga exercise and Face-to-face yoga exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 51 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2020to 30 Sep 2022
- 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 to 25 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Individuals between the ages of 18-25 who were continuing their university education
- who had not practiced yoga regularly before
- who had not engaged in regular exercise for the last six months
- who had no psychosocial problems
Who cannot join
- Individuals who had undergone feet, knee, hip, or spine surgeries
- had musculoskeletal pain or neurological problems related to orthopaedic, cardiopulmonary, cardiovascular, or rheumatic diseases; pregnant
- had a body mass index over 30
- who did not participate in two or more yoga sessions
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Does Onlıne Yoga Have Sımılar Effects Compared to Face-To-Face Yoga in Terms of Dıaphragm Thıckness, Body Balance and Psychosocıal Status?
The aim of this controlled study was to compare the effects of a six-week online yoga program and a six-week face-to-face yoga program on diaphragm function, body balance, and psychosocial outcomes in young women. The main questions were:
- Does online yoga have similar effects to face-to-face yoga on diaphragm outcomes?
- Does online yoga have similar effects to face-to-face yoga on body balance?
- Does online yoga have similar effects to face-to-face yoga on psychosocial outcomes, including anxiety and social media addiction?
Read more
This was a non-randomized controlled study in which the online and face-to-face yoga interventions were conducted during different recruitment periods because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants in the online yoga group completed a six-week online yoga program during the period when face-to-face group exercise was restricted. After pandemic-related restrictions were lifted, participants recruited in a subsequent period completed the six-week face-to-face yoga program. Thus, allocation to the online and face-to-face intervention groups was determined by the recruitment period rather than by random assignment.
Participants underwent assessments before and after the six-week study period, including diaphragm ultrasound imaging, balance testing, and self-reported psychosocial measures. A control group that did not participate in either exercise intervention was also assessed twice, six weeks apart. Outcomes were compared across the online yoga, face-to-face yoga, and control groups.
Read the detailed description
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a major impact on physical activity behaviors worldwide due to the necessity of quarantine condition. Decreased physical activity due to isolation has the potential to worsen various health conditions, including various chronic diseases. Because of the positive effects of physical activity on the immune system during the COVID-19 epidemic, home-based tele-exercise programs have been considered a potential tool to maintain physical and mental health during the pandemic. During a period of inactive life, such as a pandemic, yoga exercises were among the home-based exercise programs for the general adult population. In addition to the effects of yoga on improvement of physical features such as respiratory capacity, muscle strength and balance, it is well known to have positive effects on supporting mental well-being and anxiety and stress levels.
Considering the literature, the effects of some physical exercise applications of home-based teleexercises, which started and as the continued during inactive life processes such pandemic period, were examined. However, no study has been found examining the effects of online yoga practice, especially on the basic respiratory muscle diaphragm structure and physical properties. Considering the physical and mental effects of yoga, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yoga practice as teleexercise on psychosocial factors such as diaphragm muscle thickness, balance performance and anxiety, and social media addiction, compared to face-to-face practice, in a period where individuals have to spend a sedentary and inactive period due to the pandemic. It was thought that the results of the study will help to gain more detailed information about the effectiveness of teleexercise applications that continue to be implemented after the pandemic.
- Conditions
- Mind-Body Therapies, Yoga, Telerehabilitation
- Being tested
- Online yoga exercise, Face-to-face yoga exercise
- Keywords
- Yoga, Postural Balance, Telerehabilitation, Diaphragm, Ultrasonography, Mental Health, Pandemics
- Medical subject headings
- Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Online yoga exerciseOther
The basic yoga poses of Shivananda Yoga included in the online yoga group were shoulder stand (sarvangasana), plough pose (halasana), fish pose (matsyasana), backstretch (paschimothanasana), cobra (bhujangasana), locust (shalabhasana), bow (dhanurasana), spinal twist (matsyendrasana), crow pose (kakasana), standing backstretch (pada hasthasana) and triangle pose (trikonasana).
The yoga practice flow was designed for individuals who had never practiced yoga before. In the initial classes, there was a focus on breathing exercises and warming-up series such as "Sun Salutations". The instructor frequently reminded the participants to perform all the poses with full yoga breaths and without holding their breath.
In the scope of the study, the physiotherapist researcher who is a certified as the Shivananda Yoga instructor, performed the same yoga practice flow and steps in the both groups during six-week.
Face-to-face yoga exerciseOther
The basic yoga poses of Shivananda Yoga included in the face-to-face yoga group were shoulder stand (sarvangasana), plough pose (halasana), fish pose (matsyasana), backstretch (paschimothanasana), cobra (bhujangasana), locust (shalabhasana), bow (dhanurasana), spinal twist (matsyendrasana), crow pose (kakasana), standing backstretch (pada hasthasana) and triangle pose (trikonasana).
The yoga practice flow was designed for individuals who had never practiced yoga before. In the initial classes, there was a focus on breathing exercises and warming-up series such as "Sun Salutations". The instructor frequently reminded the participants to perform all the poses with full yoga breaths and without holding their breath.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Online yoga exercise group | Experimental | Online yoga practice was implemented in a calm and quiet environment in the individuals' own home or dormitory in a way that they could participate online. Receives: Other: Online yoga exercise |
| Face-to-face yoga exercise group | Active comparator | Face-to-face yoga practice was carried out at therapeutic exercise laboratory at Marmara University Health Sciences Faculty. Receives: Other: Face-to-face yoga exercise |
| control | No intervention | Participants in the control group who continued their routine activities for six weeks after the initial evaluation and did not participate in any exercise, yoga, etc. program were included in the second evaluation. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Diaphragmatic Ultrasonic Scanning
Ultrasound scanning of the diaphragm was performed by a certificated physiotherapist.
Real time ultrasound was performed to identify the intercostal space at which the diaphragm was most easily visualized between 2 ribs in the supine position. The eighth or ninth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line was imaged. When the ultrasound probe was located correctly to the intercostal space was identified, the subject was instructed to deep inhale and exhale slowly, and three images were collected at the point of maximum and minimum diaphragm thickness as identified visually by the examiner. The diaphragm was screened by its characteristic 3-layered appearance, location under the intercostal muscles and subcutaneous tissue. The thickness of diaphragm was frequently displayed thickest while inhaling at maximum level and thinnest while exhaling at maximum level.
Measured: Baseline (T0, before beginning of the study); T1 (end of the 6-week programme/control period)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Body Balance Performance Testing
The Balance Master device was used to perform limits of stability and weight bearing squat tests to assess motor status, and unilateral stance tests to assess functional limitations.
The Limits of Stability: The subject was asked to keep the center of gravity on the central target by her/his postural control and perform the test by moving towards the target and remaining stationary on the target for eight seconds.
The Weight Bearing(WBS)/Squat: The amount of body weight transferred to the feet was measured at four different degrees (0, 30, 60, 90) of knee flexion. The WBS symmetry score is expressed as a percentage by dividing the weight on one side by the total body weight. Good scores are those that are very close to 50% of body weight for each lower extremity.
The Unilateral Stance: The test requires the participant to maintain balance on one foot while attempting to minimize postural sway with eyes open and closed for a duration of 10 seconds for each trial.
Measured: Baseline (T0, before beginning of the study); T1 (end of the 6-week programme/control period)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Oct 2023
- Study start1 Jul 2020
- Primary completion30 Sep 2022
- Study completion30 Sep 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Mind-Body TherapiesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Bahar Ozgul, Marmara University
- Investigators
- Zübeyir Sarı, Prof Dr, Study director, Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Departmentİlkşan Demirbüken, Prof Dr, Principal investigator, Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation DepartmentLeila Abdolalizadeh Khaselouei, PT, Principal investigator, Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation DepartmentHilal B Can, MSc PT, Principal investigator, Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation DepartmentMine G Polat, Prof Dr, Study chair, Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation DepartmentBahar Özgül, PhD PT, Principal investigator, Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06107712
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25.06.2020/44
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Oct 2023
- Last updated
- 8 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Dor-Haim H, Katzburg S, Revach P, Levine H, Barak S. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity and weight gain among active adult population in Israel: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Aug 6;21(1):1521. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11523-z.
PubMed 34362319Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system. J Sport Health Sci. 2019 May;8(3):201-217. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.009. Epub 2018 Nov 16.
PubMed 31193280Pecanha T, Goessler KF, Roschel H, Gualano B. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase physical inactivity and the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2020 Jun 1;318(6):H1441-H1446. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00268.2020. Epub 2020 May 15.
PubMed 32412779
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Does Onlıne Yoga Have Sımılar Effects Compared to Face-To-Face Yoga in Terms of Dıaphragm Thıckness, Body Balance and Psychosocıal Status?
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06107712
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 25.06.2020/44
- Conditions
- Mind-Body Therapies, Yoga, Telerehabilitation
- Keywords
- Yoga, Postural Balance, Telerehabilitation, Diaphragm, Ultrasonography, Mental Health, Pandemics
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Marmara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2020 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Oct 2023 (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.
The aim of this controlled study was to compare the effects of a six-week online yoga program and a six-week face-to-face yoga program on diaphragm function, body balance, and psychosocial outcomes in young women. The main questions were:
- Does online yoga have similar effects to face-to-face yoga on diaphragm outcomes?
- Does online yoga have similar effects to face-to-face yoga on body balance?
- Does online yoga have similar effects to face-to-face yoga on psychosocial outcomes, including anxiety and social media addiction?
This was a non-randomized controlled study in which the online and face-to-face yoga interventions were conducted during different recruitment periods because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants in the online yoga group completed a six-week online yoga program during the period when face-to-face group exercise was restricted. After pandemic-related restrictions were lifted, participants recruited in a subsequent period completed the six-week face-to-face yoga program. Thus, allocation to the online and face-to-face intervention groups was determined by the recruitment period rather than by random assignment.
Participants underwent assessments before and after the six-week study period, including diaphragm ultrasound imaging, balance testing, and self-reported psychosocial measures. A control group that did not participate in either exercise intervention was also assessed twice, six weeks apart. Outcomes were compared across the online yoga, face-to-face yoga, and control groups.
Detailed description
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a major impact on physical activity behaviors worldwide due to the necessity of quarantine condition. Decreased physical activity due to isolation has the potential to worsen various health conditions, including various chronic diseases. Because of the positive effects of physical activity on the immune system during the COVID-19 epidemic, home-based tele-exercise programs have been considered a potential tool to maintain physical and mental health during the pandemic. During a period of inactive life, such as a pandemic, yoga exercises were among the home-based exercise programs for the general adult population. In addition to the effects of yoga on improvement of physical features such as respiratory capacity, muscle strength and balance, it is well known to have positive effects on supporting mental well-being and anxiety and stress levels.
Considering the literature, the effects of some physical exercise applications of home-based teleexercises, which started and as the continued during inactive life processes such pandemic period, were examined. However, no study has been found examining the effects of online yoga practice, especially on the basic respiratory muscle diaphragm structure and physical properties. Considering the physical and mental effects of yoga, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of yoga practice as teleexercise on psychosocial factors such as diaphragm muscle thickness, balance performance and anxiety, and social media addiction, compared to face-to-face practice, in a period where individuals have to spend a sedentary and inactive period due to the pandemic. It was thought that the results of the study will help to gain more detailed information about the effectiveness of teleexercise applications that continue to be implemented after the pandemic.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Online yoga exercise group | Experimental | Other: Online yoga exerciseOnline yoga practice was implemented in a calm and quiet environment in the individuals' own home or dormitory in a way that they could participate online. |
| Face-to-face yoga exercise group | Active comparator | Other: Face-to-face yoga exerciseFace-to-face yoga practice was carried out at therapeutic exercise laboratory at Marmara University Health Sciences Faculty. |
| control | No intervention | –Participants in the control group who continued their routine activities for six weeks after the initial evaluation and did not participate in any exercise, yoga, etc. program were included in the second evaluation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals between the ages of 18-25 who were continuing their university education
- who had not practiced yoga regularly before
- who had not engaged in regular exercise for the last six months
- who had no psychosocial problems
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Individuals who had undergone feet, knee, hip, or spine surgeries
- had musculoskeletal pain or neurological problems related to orthopaedic, cardiopulmonary, cardiovascular, or rheumatic diseases; pregnant
- had a body mass index over 30
- who did not participate in two or more yoga sessions
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Online yoga exerciseThe basic yoga poses of Shivananda Yoga included in the online yoga group were shoulder stand (sarvangasana), plough pose (halasana), fish pose (matsyasana), backstretch (paschimothanasana), cobra (bhujangasana), locust (shalabhasana), bow (dhanurasana), spinal twist (matsyendrasana), crow pose (kakasana), standing backstretch (pada hasthasana) and triangle pose (trikonasana). The yoga practice flow was designed for individuals who had never practiced yoga before. In the initial classes, there was a focus on breathing exercises and warming-up series such as "Sun Salutations". The instructor frequently reminded the participants to perform all the poses with full yoga breaths and without holding their breath. In the scope of the study, the physiotherapist researcher who is a certified as the Shivananda Yoga instructor, performed the same yoga practice flow and steps in the both groups during six-week. | Other | Online yoga exercise group |
| Face-to-face yoga exerciseThe basic yoga poses of Shivananda Yoga included in the face-to-face yoga group were shoulder stand (sarvangasana), plough pose (halasana), fish pose (matsyasana), backstretch (paschimothanasana), cobra (bhujangasana), locust (shalabhasana), bow (dhanurasana), spinal twist (matsyendrasana), crow pose (kakasana), standing backstretch (pada hasthasana) and triangle pose (trikonasana). The yoga practice flow was designed for individuals who had never practiced yoga before. In the initial classes, there was a focus on breathing exercises and warming-up series such as "Sun Salutations". The instructor frequently reminded the participants to perform all the poses with full yoga breaths and without holding their breath. | Other | Face-to-face yoga exercise group |
Primary outcome
Diaphragmatic Ultrasonic Scanning
Time frame: Baseline (T0, before beginning of the study); T1 (end of the 6-week programme/control period)
Ultrasound scanning of the diaphragm was performed by a certificated physiotherapist. Real time ultrasound was performed to identify the intercostal space at which the diaphragm was most easily visualized between 2 ribs in the supine position. The eighth or ninth intercostal space at the anterior axillary line was imaged. When the ultrasound probe was located correctly to the intercostal space was identified, the subject was instructed to deep inhale and exhale slowly, and three images were collected at the point of maximum and minimum diaphragm thickness as identified visually by the examiner. The diaphragm was screened by its characteristic 3-layered appearance, location under the intercostal muscles and subcutaneous tissue. The thickness of diaphragm was frequently displayed thickest while inhaling at maximum level and thinnest while exhaling at maximum level.
1 secondary outcome
Body Balance Performance Testing
Time frame: Baseline (T0, before beginning of the study); T1 (end of the 6-week programme/control period)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 34362319Dor-Haim H, Katzburg S, Revach P, Levine H, Barak S. The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity and weight gain among active adult population in Israel: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Aug 6;21(1):1521. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11523-z.
- Background: PubMed 31193280Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system. J Sport Health Sci. 2019 May;8(3):201-217. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.009. Epub 2018 Nov 16.
- Background: PubMed 32412779Pecanha T, Goessler KF, Roschel H, Gualano B. Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic can increase physical inactivity and the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2020 Jun 1;318(6):H1441-H1446. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00268.2020. Epub 2020 May 15.
- Organization, W. H. (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): situation report, 73Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Zübeyir Sarı, Prof Dr study director
Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department
İlkşan Demirbüken, Prof Dr principal investigator
Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department
Leila Abdolalizadeh Khaselouei, PT principal investigator
Marmara University Health Science Faculty Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Online yoga exercise and Face-to-face yoga exercise in people with Mind-Body Therapies and Yoga, run by Marmara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 4 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 8 Oct 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Diaphragmatic Ultrasonic Scanning (time frame: Baseline (T0, before beginning of the study); T1 (end of the 6-week programme/control period)). 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 NCT06107712, which also lists 3 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 8 Oct 2026.