Yoga and Mindfulness Interventions

Interventions that we study include yoga-based interventions and mindfulness interventions. Specifically, we study yoga-based intervention for depression in various populations, including adults, teens, and pregnant women. We also study yoga-based interventions for chronic pain. Mindfulness-based interventions focus on depression and trauma.

The COMPARE Study

Principal Investigators

Louisa Sylvia & Lisa Uebelacker

Status

Ongoing

Website

COMPARE Study Online

In this PCORI-funded comparative effectiveness study, we will enroll people with depression across four sites. Participants will be randomly assigned to either virtual behavioral-activation (BA) psychotherapy, or virtual (live, synchronous) yoga classes. We hypothesize that on the group level, the yoga-based intervention will be non-inferior to BA in reducing depression symptom severity. We also plan to look at variables that may explain heterogeneity of treatment effects.

 

The MAT Process Study

Principal Investigator

Morganne Kraines

Status

Ongoing

Website

MAT Study Online

This NCCIH funded study will recruit 76 individuals with depression symptoms who will be randomized to either mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) orhealth education (HE). We will examine whether affective executive functioning (i.e., emotionally-laden inhibition, shifting, and updating) is a mechanism of treatments for depression. We will also examine the time course in which affective executive functioning and depression change over time during treatment.

The I-YMSC Study

Principal Investigator

Tosca Braun

Status

Ongoing

This NCCIH-funded treatment development study will use community engaged research to develop an integrative mind-body and self-compassion intervention for enhancing wellbeing among ethno-racially diverse women with a history of trauma. We will partner with community stakeholders to support development of the intervention and throughout the research process, which includes a focus group study (n=18), an open pilot trial (n=15), and a clinical trial in which women (n=48) will be randomly assigned to either I-YMSC or health education.

Peace of Mind and Body Project

Principal Investigators

Lisa Uebelacker & Lauren Weinstock

Status

Completed

In this intervention development project, we are developing and pilot-testing a yoga-based intervention for anger management and emotion regulation for people in prison. This project is funded by NCCIH.

Yoga MAT (Medication for Addiction Treatment)

Principal Investigators

Michael Stein & Lisa Uebelacker

Status

Ongoing

Website

Yoga MAT Study Online

We are looking at ways to optimize a yoga intervention for people who are taking methadone or buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, and who have chronic pain. Participants are invited to attend a weekly remote yoga class, and are randomly assigned, using a factorial design, to some combination of additional components, including daily text messages, 1:1 meetings with a yoga teachers, study-specific yoga videos, and payment for class attendance. The purpose of this study is to determine which components increase engagement in yoga practice and in weekly personal yoga practice.