Multiple SclerosisNCT07155642
Yoga in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
A study testing yoga and conventional physiotheraphy in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by Istanbul Rumeli University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Objective The objective of this study will be to compare the effects of an eight-week Yin-based yoga program and conventional physiotherapy on fatigue, balance, gait, and quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Multiple Sclerosis
- What is being tested?
- yoga and conventional physiotheraphy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 4 Mar 2019to 7 Jun 2019
- 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 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Being between 18-65 years of age.
- Voluntarily giving informed consent to participate in the study.
- Having either Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) or Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) type.
- An Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 5.5 or below.
- No MS exacerbation within the last 4 weeks.
- Possessing the willingness, ability, and cognitive intactness to participate in the interventions.
Who cannot join
- Using medication specifically for fatigue.
- Presence of major sleep disorders, clinical depression, hypothyroidism, or B12 deficiency.
- Severe balance problems (e.g., Central Vestibular Disorders (CVO), peripheral neuropathy, Meniere's disease, vertigo).
- Having received corticosteroid treatment within the last 4 weeks.
- Pregnancy.
- Serious cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or orthopedic limitations.
- Presence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Yoga and Conventional Physiotherapy Programs on Fatigue, Balance, Walking and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
Objective
The objective of this study will be to compare the effects of an eight-week Yin-based yoga program and conventional physiotherapy on fatigue, balance, gait, and quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Read more
Methods
Twenty patients with MS will be randomly assigned to either a yoga group (n = 10) or a physiotherapy group (n = 10). Both groups will participate in supervised sessions lasting 60 minutes per day, three days per week, over an eight-week period.
The yoga intervention will be Yin-based, incorporating centering, yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation.
The physiotherapy program will consist of aerobic training, strengthening and spinal stabilization exercises, balance and coordination activities, and stretching.
Outcome measures will include the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) for fatigue, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) for gait, and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQOL-54) for physical and mental health-related quality of life.
Read the detailed description
Intervention Protocol Yoga Program
The yoga intervention will be implemented in small groups of up to five participants, three times per week for a duration of eight weeks. Sessions will be led by a physiotherapist experienced in working with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and certified in yoga practice. Each session will last 60 minutes and will consist of four structured components:
Centering/Meditation (5-10 minutes):
Participants will perform breath-focused meditation in a comfortable seated position, using cushions if required. The duration will begin at 5 minutes during the first week and will gradually increase to 8-10 minutes by the third week. Participants will be instructed to count their breaths up to ten, restarting from one if their focus drifts.
Yin and Yang Yoga Poses (40 minutes):
This segment will combine Yin poses (passive, long-held postures targeting connective tissues) and Yang poses (active, dynamic postures).
Yin poses: Held for 2-3 minutes.
Yang poses: Will include Bridge, Plank, Low Lunge, Crescent Lunge, Cat-Cow, Downward-Facing Dog, and Chair Pose. These will be held for 10-30 seconds and repeated at least three times.
Rest periods of 30-60 seconds in Child's Pose will be incorporated between sequences. Postures will be adapted according to individual needs and physical capacities, applying the "soft edge" principle to avoid discomfort. Props such as blocks will be used as needed. Both verbal and tactile corrections will be provided.
Breathing Exercises (Pranayama) (1-2 minutes):
Alternating Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) will be practiced to balance the effects of Yin and Yang postures.
Deep Relaxation (Savasana) (10 minutes):
Sessions will conclude with Savasana, in which participants will lie supine for 10 minutes with arms relaxed at the sides and palms facing upward, maintaining complete stillness and relaxation.
During yoga sessions, the room temperature will be maintained at 23-26°C, and soft, relaxing music will be played.
Physiotherapy Program
Participants assigned to the physiotherapy group will receive individualized, exercise-based interventions designed to address aerobic capacity, muscle strength, spinal stabilization, balance, coordination, and flexibility. The intervention will be structured as follows:
Aerobic Exercise (10 minutes):
Horizontal cycling will be performed at a submaximal heart rate (60-80% of average). Room temperature will be kept at 20-22°C to prevent overheating.
Strengthening and Spinal Stabilization Exercises (20 minutes):
Exercises will target large muscle groups of the lower extremities (dorsiflexors, knee and hip extensors), the spine, and the shoulder girdle. Training will begin with 8-10 repetitions at 60-80% of one repetition maximum, progressing to two sets by week 2 and 15 repetitions by week 4. Resistance will be increased by 2-5% every three weeks. Rest intervals of 2-4 minutes will be allowed between exercises. Tactile feedback and instruction will be provided to ensure correct spinal stabilization techniques.
Balance and Coordination Exercises (20 minutes):
Training will progress from static to dynamic balance and will include dual-task activities. Difficulty will be gradually increased by performing tasks with eyes open and closed, shifting the center of gravity, and utilizing various balance-training materials. External support will be progressively reduced to encourage independence while maintaining motivation.
Stretching Exercises (10 minutes):
The final component of each session will involve active stretching of the hamstrings, hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, and plantar flexors. Each stretch will be held for 20-60 seconds within the comfortable range of motion, ensuring that no pain is experienced. Straps will be provided as supportive aids when necessary.
- Conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Being tested
- yoga, conventional physiotheraphy
- Keywords
- multiple sclerosis, yoga, fatigue, balance, quality of life
- Medical subject headings
- Multiple Sclerosis, Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
yogaOther
Participants in the yoga group received a total of 8 weeks of intervention, conducted 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. The program components were: • 8 minutes of meditation practice. • 40 minutes of Yin and Yang yoga postures. (It's highly recommended to briefly explain what "Yin and Yang yoga postures" specifically entail in the full paper's methodology section, e.g., "Yin yoga focuses on holding passive poses for longer durations to target deep connective tissues, while Yang yoga incorporates more active, flowing sequences to build strength and flexibility.") • 2 minutes of breathing exercises (pranayama). • 10 minutes of deep relaxation (savasana).
conventional physiotheraphyOther
Participants in the conventional physiotherapy group also underwent an 8-week program, 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. This program included:
- Aerobic exercises.
- Stretching exercises.
- Strengthening exercises.
- Spinal stabilization exercises.
- Balance exercises.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| yoga | Experimental | Participants in the yoga group received a total of 8 weeks of intervention, conducted 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. The program components were:
* 8 minutes of meditation practice.
* 40 minutes of Yin and Yang yoga postures. (It's highly recommended to briefly explain what "Yin and Yang yoga postures" specifically entail in the full paper's methodology section, e.g., "Yin yoga focuses on holding passive poses for longer durations to target deep connective tissues, while Yang yoga incorporates more active, flowing sequences to build strength and flexibility.")
* 2 minutes of breathing exercises (pranayama).
* 10 minutes of deep relaxation (savasana). Receives: Other: yoga |
| Conventional Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Participants in the conventional physiotherapy group also underwent an 8-week program, 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. This program included:
* Aerobic exercises.
* Stretching exercises.
* Strengthening exercises.
* Spinal stabilization exercises.
* Balance exercises. Receives: Other: conventional physiotheraphy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12)
The MSWS-12 is a 12-item self-reported questionnaire that assesses the impact of MS on walking ability over the past two weeks. Items are rated on a 5-point scale (1: almost never, 5: extremely). Higher scores indicate greater perceived walking limitations or difficulties
Measured: 3 months
MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54)
The MSQOL-54 is a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for MS patients. It comprises 31 questions divided into three sub-dimensions: psychological, physical, and psychosocial quality of life. Lower scores indicate a higher quality of life
Measured: 3 months
Secondary outcomes (2)
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)
The FSS is a 9-item scale used to quantify fatigue. Each item is scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree), and the total score is calculated as the average of the nine items. A score of 4 or higher indicates pathological fatigue. Lower scores indicate less severe fatigue
Measured: 3 months
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
The BBS is a 14-item objective measure used to assess balance abilities. Each item is scored from 0 (unable to perform) to 4 (independently performs), yielding a maximum total score of 56. Scores between 0-20 indicate a high fall risk, 21-40 a moderate fall risk, and 41-56 a low fall risk. The test utilizes common items such as steps, a ruler, a stopwatch, and a chair to evaluate postural control and fall risk
Measured: 3 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Sep 2025
- Study start4 Mar 2019
- Primary completion20 Apr 2019
- Study completion7 Jun 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Multiple SclerosisStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Rumeli University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nursel Oziri, Istanbul Rumeli University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07155642
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRU-FTR-NO-02
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 24 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Yoga and Conventional Physiotherapy Programs on Fatigue, Balance, Walking and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07155642
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRU-FTR-NO-02
- Conditions
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Keywords
- multiple sclerosis, yoga, fatigue, balance, quality of life
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Rumeli UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Mar 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Apr 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 7 Jun 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Sep 2025 (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.
Objective
The objective of this study will be to compare the effects of an eight-week Yin-based yoga program and conventional physiotherapy on fatigue, balance, gait, and quality of life in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Methods
Twenty patients with MS will be randomly assigned to either a yoga group (n = 10) or a physiotherapy group (n = 10). Both groups will participate in supervised sessions lasting 60 minutes per day, three days per week, over an eight-week period.
The yoga intervention will be Yin-based, incorporating centering, yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation.
The physiotherapy program will consist of aerobic training, strengthening and spinal stabilization exercises, balance and coordination activities, and stretching.
Outcome measures will include the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) for fatigue, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12) for gait, and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQOL-54) for physical and mental health-related quality of life.
Detailed description
Intervention Protocol Yoga Program
The yoga intervention will be implemented in small groups of up to five participants, three times per week for a duration of eight weeks. Sessions will be led by a physiotherapist experienced in working with multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and certified in yoga practice. Each session will last 60 minutes and will consist of four structured components:
Centering/Meditation (5-10 minutes):
Participants will perform breath-focused meditation in a comfortable seated position, using cushions if required. The duration will begin at 5 minutes during the first week and will gradually increase to 8-10 minutes by the third week. Participants will be instructed to count their breaths up to ten, restarting from one if their focus drifts.
Yin and Yang Yoga Poses (40 minutes):
This segment will combine Yin poses (passive, long-held postures targeting connective tissues) and Yang poses (active, dynamic postures).
Yin poses: Held for 2-3 minutes.
Yang poses: Will include Bridge, Plank, Low Lunge, Crescent Lunge, Cat-Cow, Downward-Facing Dog, and Chair Pose. These will be held for 10-30 seconds and repeated at least three times.
Rest periods of 30-60 seconds in Child's Pose will be incorporated between sequences. Postures will be adapted according to individual needs and physical capacities, applying the "soft edge" principle to avoid discomfort. Props such as blocks will be used as needed. Both verbal and tactile corrections will be provided.
Breathing Exercises (Pranayama) (1-2 minutes):
Alternating Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) will be practiced to balance the effects of Yin and Yang postures.
Deep Relaxation (Savasana) (10 minutes):
Sessions will conclude with Savasana, in which participants will lie supine for 10 minutes with arms relaxed at the sides and palms facing upward, maintaining complete stillness and relaxation.
During yoga sessions, the room temperature will be maintained at 23-26°C, and soft, relaxing music will be played.
Physiotherapy Program
Participants assigned to the physiotherapy group will receive individualized, exercise-based interventions designed to address aerobic capacity, muscle strength, spinal stabilization, balance, coordination, and flexibility. The intervention will be structured as follows:
Aerobic Exercise (10 minutes):
Horizontal cycling will be performed at a submaximal heart rate (60-80% of average). Room temperature will be kept at 20-22°C to prevent overheating.
Strengthening and Spinal Stabilization Exercises (20 minutes):
Exercises will target large muscle groups of the lower extremities (dorsiflexors, knee and hip extensors), the spine, and the shoulder girdle. Training will begin with 8-10 repetitions at 60-80% of one repetition maximum, progressing to two sets by week 2 and 15 repetitions by week 4. Resistance will be increased by 2-5% every three weeks. Rest intervals of 2-4 minutes will be allowed between exercises. Tactile feedback and instruction will be provided to ensure correct spinal stabilization techniques.
Balance and Coordination Exercises (20 minutes):
Training will progress from static to dynamic balance and will include dual-task activities. Difficulty will be gradually increased by performing tasks with eyes open and closed, shifting the center of gravity, and utilizing various balance-training materials. External support will be progressively reduced to encourage independence while maintaining motivation.
Stretching Exercises (10 minutes):
The final component of each session will involve active stretching of the hamstrings, hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, and plantar flexors. Each stretch will be held for 20-60 seconds within the comfortable range of motion, ensuring that no pain is experienced. Straps will be provided as supportive aids when necessary.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| yoga | Experimental | Other: yogaParticipants in the yoga group received a total of 8 weeks of intervention, conducted 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. The program components were: * 8 minutes of meditation practice. * 40 minutes of Yin and Yang yoga postures. (It's highly recommended to briefly explain what "Yin and Yang yoga postures" specifically entail in the full paper's methodology section, e.g., "Yin yoga focuses on holding passive poses for longer durations to target deep connective tissues, while Yang yoga incorporates more active, flowing sequences to build strength and flexibility.") * 2 minutes of breathing exercises (pranayama). * 10 minutes of deep relaxation (savasana). |
| Conventional Physiotherapy | Active comparator | Other: conventional physiotheraphyParticipants in the conventional physiotherapy group also underwent an 8-week program, 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. This program included: * Aerobic exercises. * Stretching exercises. * Strengthening exercises. * Spinal stabilization exercises. * Balance exercises. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Being between 18-65 years of age.
- Voluntarily giving informed consent to participate in the study.
- Having either Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS) or Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) type.
- An Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 5.5 or below.
- No MS exacerbation within the last 4 weeks.
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Using medication specifically for fatigue.
- Presence of major sleep disorders, clinical depression, hypothyroidism, or B12 deficiency.
- Severe balance problems (e.g., Central Vestibular Disorders (CVO), peripheral neuropathy, Meniere's disease, vertigo).
- Having received corticosteroid treatment within the last 4 weeks.
- Pregnancy.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| yogaParticipants in the yoga group received a total of 8 weeks of intervention, conducted 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. The program components were: • 8 minutes of meditation practice. • 40 minutes of Yin and Yang yoga postures. (It's highly recommended to briefly explain what "Yin and Yang yoga postures" specifically entail in the full paper's methodology section, e.g., "Yin yoga focuses on holding passive poses for longer durations to target deep connective tissues, while Yang yoga incorporates more active, flowing sequences to build strength and flexibility.") • 2 minutes of breathing exercises (pranayama). • 10 minutes of deep relaxation (savasana). | Other | yoga |
| conventional physiotheraphyParticipants in the conventional physiotherapy group also underwent an 8-week program, 3 days a week, for 60 minutes per day. This program included: * Aerobic exercises. * Stretching exercises. * Strengthening exercises. * Spinal stabilization exercises. * Balance exercises. | Other | Conventional Physiotherapy |
Primary outcome
MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12)
Time frame: 3 months
The MSWS-12 is a 12-item self-reported questionnaire that assesses the impact of MS on walking ability over the past two weeks. Items are rated on a 5-point scale (1: almost never, 5: extremely). Higher scores indicate greater perceived walking limitations or difficulties
MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54)
Time frame: 3 months
The MSQOL-54 is a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for MS patients. It comprises 31 questions divided into three sub-dimensions: psychological, physical, and psychosocial quality of life. Lower scores indicate a higher quality of life
2 secondary outcomes
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)
Time frame: 3 months
Berg Balance Scale (BBS)
Time frame: 3 months
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 4 Sep 2025.
Related trials for Multiple Sclerosis
RecruitingPhase 2
Efgartigimod for the Treatment of Acute Optic Neuritis
Optic Neuritis
Active, not recruitingPhase 3
A Rollover Study to Evaluate the Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Ocrelizumab In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis
RecruitingPhase 3
An Extension Study to Assess Impact of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) on Physical Function and Provide Continued Ocrelizumab Treatment
Multiple Sclerosis
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Early Versus Late Ofatumumab (Kesimpta®) Use in Austrian RMS-Patients Over 2 Years
Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis
Not yet recruiting
Neurogenetics and Multi-omics of Neuroinflammatory Diseases in Multiplex Families to Improve Patients Health
Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
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 and conventional physiotheraphy in people with Multiple Sclerosis, run by Istanbul Rumeli 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 6 inclusion and 7 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 4 Sep 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 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?
MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12) (time frame: 3 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?
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 Sep 2025.