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Chronic PainSTRETCHNCT06973876

Examining the Effectiveness of Asynchronous Versus Synchronous Yoga for Veterans With Chronic Pain

A study testing Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer, Synchronous Teleyoga and Asynchronous Teleyoga in people with Chronic Pain and Yoga, run by Portland VA Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if pre-recorded yoga videos are as helpful for chronic pain as online yoga sessions taught in real time. The main questions it aims to answer are: Are pre-recorded yoga videos an acceptable and practical tool and could they be used more broadly? Are pre-recorded yoga videos no… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Chronic Pain, Yoga
What is being tested?
Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer, Synchronous Teleyoga and Asynchronous Teleyoga
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
98 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
20 Jun 2025to 30 Sep 2026
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

  • U.S. Veteran enrolled at VAPORHCS and has established care with a VA medical or mental health provider.
  • Diagnosed with musculoskeletal pain, confirmed by electronic health record review and phone screening.
  • Has an average pain severity of at least 4 in the past 3 months, assessed by items 1-5 of the Brief Pain Inventory, Short Form.
  • Aged 18 or over.
  • Capable of using video teleconferencing to complete enrollment, assessment, and video interventions.
  • Meets physical readiness, assessed by questions during screening and approved for yoga participation by their primary care, physical therapy, or provider team.
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  • Able to sit and stand from the floor without assistance
  • Able to ambulate community distances without an assistive device
  • Intact sensation in lower extremities below the knees

Who cannot join

  • Unable to read and write in English.
  • Unable to freely give informed consent.
  • Recent (past 3 months) psychotic symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, or other psychotic disorder and unrelated to PTSD. Assessed by medical record review and provider team.
  • Practicing yoga regularly defined as weekly or biweekly practice of 60 or more minutes for 6 months or more.
  • Recent (past 3 months) history of suicidal gesture related to physical pain or active suicidal ideation (plan, intent, means).
  • Concurrently enrolled in another research protocol involving a pain focused intervention.
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  • Upcoming surgery that would impact yoga practice.
  • Active alcohol/other substance abuse or dependence, excluding tobacco/nicotine and marijuana (unless actively engaged in treatment). Assessed via the The Tobacco, Alcohol, prescription medication and other Substance use Tool (TAPS). A cutoff of 2 will be used to rule out.
  • Joint replacement within the past 12 months.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Portland VA Medical Center

    Portland, Oregon, 97239

Other trials in United States

About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if pre-recorded yoga videos are as helpful for chronic pain as online yoga sessions taught in real time. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Are pre-recorded yoga videos an acceptable and practical tool and could they be used more broadly?

Read more

Are pre-recorded yoga videos no worse than online yoga sessions taught in real time for managing chronic pain?

Researchers will compare changes in chronic pain, mental health, and quality of life outcomes for participants who attend pre-recorded yoga videos versus online yoga sessions taught in real time.

Over the course of 4 months, participants will:

Attend a 5-session virtual yoga course. Continue virtual yoga practice for 12-weeks on their own or in a VA online class. Complete 3 online assessments and a brief exit interview.

Read the detailed description

The overarching goals of the proposed research are to pilot test feasibility and acceptability of a 5-session yoga primer to the mindful practice of pain-sensitive teleyoga and its impact on subsequent teleyoga practice delivered either synchronously or asynchronously. The research will also test the preliminary effectiveness of teleyoga practice on outcomes related to chronic pain, mental health, and quality of life.

  • Aim 1: Assess acceptability and feasibility of trial methodology to inform future larger-scale trials.
  • Aim 2: Use intent-to-treat analysis and random effect regression models to compare changes in pain interference, pain severity, physical function, quality of life, depression, and anxiety between participants who attend synchronous vs. asynchronous teleyoga.

The primary purpose of a pilot study is to assess feasibility of methods to inform future larger studies. However, inferential analyses may be appropriate to help ascertain estimates of variability for the primary and secondary outcomes that can be used to power larger trials. To that end, the investigators will use intent-to-treat procedures and random effect regression models to compare changes in the outcome variables between patients who receive asynchronous vs. synchronous teleyoga.

Hypothesis: The investigators predict that asynchronous teleyoga will be non-inferior to synchronous teleyoga in reducing the primary outcome of pain interference, as well as across secondary outcomes

Conditions
Chronic Pain, Yoga
Being tested
Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer, Synchronous Teleyoga, Asynchronous Teleyoga
Keywords
chronic pain, yoga, synchronous telehealth, asynchronous telehealth, rural, Veterans, teleyoga
Medical subject headings
Chronic Pain

What participants receive

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

  • Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga PrimerBehavioural

    The 5-session Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer will be delivered synchronously to participants who will practice from their home. The purpose of the 5-session primer is two-fold: (1) it allows trained yoga instructors to determine physical abilities and limitations of patient participants so that pose modifications may be taught and (2) it provides education to participants on pain neuroscience, breathwork, relaxation, mindfulness, and interoception so that they may apply this knowledge to maximize the benefits of whichever yoga condition they are randomized to. Each session will last approximately 75 minutes. Participants will be provided with a supplementary handout to reinforce content from the sessions.

  • Synchronous TeleyogaBehavioural

    Participants randomized to receive synchronous tele-yoga will be provided information so that they can attend VAPORHCS virtual yoga offerings. They will be encouraged to attend one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance may be tracked via a signed note in the medical record. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes.

  • Asynchronous TeleyogaBehavioural

    Participants randomized to receive asynchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can access to the digital library of yoga videos on Ompractice, an existing partner with VA Medical Centers. Ompractice contains a suite of yoga video content, and participants will be encouraged to complete one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance will be tracked by Ompractice and shared with VAPORHCS.

Study groups in NCT06973876
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Synchronous TeleyogaPlacebo comparatorParticipants randomized to receive synchronous tele-yoga will be provided information so that they can attend VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) virtual yoga offerings. They will be encouraged to attend one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance may be tracked via a signed note in the medical record. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes.
Receives: Behavioral: Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer; Behavioral: Synchronous Teleyoga
Asynchronous TeleyogaActive comparatorParticipants randomized to receive asynchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can access to the digital library of yoga videos on Ompractice, an existing partner with VA Medical Centers. Ompractice contains a suite of yoga video content, and participants will be encouraged to complete one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment.
Receives: Behavioral: Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer; Behavioral: Asynchronous Teleyoga

What is being measured

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

  1. Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF)

    The Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) is a widely used 9-item tool for assessing pain severity and pain interference. The primary outcome will be the Pain Interference Subscale of the BPI-SF. Scores are reported on a range of 0 - 10, with higher scores indicating more impairment due to pain.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Brief Pain Inventory Short Form - Pain Severity Subscale (BPI-SF

    Pain Severity Subscale (BPI-SF) is a widely used 9-item tool for assessing pain severity and pain interference. Scores are on a range of 0 - 10, with higher scores indicating more severe pain.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  2. PROMIS Physical Function 4-Item Short Form Instrument

    Physical Functioning will be assessed with the 4-item PROMIS Physical Functioning scale. The physical function form asks the participant to rate a series of physical function related questions on 5-point Likert scale, with one representing a better outcome.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  3. Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12)

    The Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) is a 12-item instrument used to measure health related quality of life in Veterans. VR-12 scores are summarized into two scores, a Physical Health component score and a Mental Health component score. Each component score is on a range of 0 - 100, with higher scores indicating more impairment in physical or mental health, respectively.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  4. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

    The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a 9-item scale that can be used to screen, diagnose, monitor, and measure the severity of depression. The PHQ-9 scoring system ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale

    Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale is designed for screening and measuring the severity of generalized anxiety symptoms. Scores on the GAD-7 range from 0 - 21, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms of anxiety.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  6. Five-facet Mindfulness Questionnaire

    The five-facet Mindfulness Questionnaire is a 15-item scale that measures the effectiveness of mindfulness strategies. Five subscales of mindfulness measure observing, describing, acting with awareness, non-judgment and non-reactivity. Average scores are calculated by summing the responses and dividing by the number of items, and indicate the average level of agreement with each subscale. The items use a 5-point Likert scale. Higher scores are indicative of someone who is more mindful in their everyday life.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  7. Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (Brief MAIA-2)

    The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (Brief MAIA-2) is a 24-item scale measuring interoceptive sensibility, defined as the self-perceived tendency to focus on internal stimuli. Participants rate each item on a 6-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating higher interoception. This measure has been shown to be reliable, including for those with a long-term health condition

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  8. PTSD Checklist for DMS-5 (PCL-5)

    The PTSD Checklist for DMS-5 (PCL-5) is a 20-item self-report questionnaire that assesses the severity of symptoms associated with exposure to trauma. Participants rate 20 items in the past month on a 5- point Likert scale. Total scores range from 0 (best outcome) to 80 (worst outcome).

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  9. Well-Being Signs

    Well-Being Signs is a three-question screening tool used to assess how Veterans are doing in their daily lives. Each question uses a 10-point Likert scale. An average score is calculated based on the ratings for each of the questions with higher scores indicating better well-being.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  10. Pain Catastrophizing Scale

    Pain Catastrophizing Scale measures catastrophizing related to chronic pain and is used extensively in clinical practice and in research. The pain catastrophizing scale consists of 13 items These are divided into 3 domains: rumination, magnification and helplessness. The subject is asked to indicate how how well each sentence applies for them on a 4-point Likert scale. The total score on the questionnaire can lie between 0 - 52 where a higher score indicates higher levels of pain catastrophizing thoughts.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

  11. Teleyoga Attendance and Engagement (EHR & Digital Well-Being Data Collection)

    Attendance and engagement during the Yoga Primer and each intervention arm will be collected. Virtual yoga completed as part of the 5-session primer and in the Synchronous Teleyoga arm will be documented via a note attached and have a visit assigned as well to chart on in the medical record. Attendance and engagement in the Asynchronous Teleyoga arm will be documented and tracked through Ompractice through participant internet protocol address, which participants consent to sharing when they sign up and read the terms of use.

    Measured: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18

Timeline

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

  1. First posted15 May 2025
  2. Study start20 Jun 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)

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
Health services research
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
The research team will enroll 100 Veterans diagnosed with chronic pain to be randomized 1:1 using permuted block randomization with blocks of varying length to either synchronous teleyoga at VAPORHCS or asynchronous teleyoga via Ompractice. Virtual groups will be composed of 8-10 participants, which will require 5-7 cohorts of each group.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
98 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06973876
Sponsor's protocol ID
6392 / 24-75
Acronym
STRETCH
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
7 May 2025
Last updated
17 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer, Synchronous Teleyoga and Asynchronous Teleyoga in people with Chronic Pain and Yoga, run by Portland VA 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 9 inclusion and 9 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?

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?

Brief Pain Inventory Short Form (BPI-SF) (time frame: Baseline, Post 5-session Yoga Primer (Week 5/6), Week 18). 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 17 Jun 2026.

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