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CompletedNCT01176643Updated Sep 24, 2013

Development and Evaluation of Modified Yoga in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

An interventional study of Standard care plus Yoga in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, sponsored by McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2013-09-24.

Sponsored by McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
57
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
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Study summary

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a modified yoga program in persons with SLE.

Read the detailed description

Background and relevance: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem inflammation that leads to numerous clinical manifestations which can potentially result in permanent organ damage. In Canada, it is estimated that 1 woman in every 2000 has SLE, with peak incidence occurring in women of childbearing age. Although survival rate has improved, physical and psychological health status remains significantly impaired. With its increasing prevalence, its morbidity, and the complexities associated with side effects related to its treatment, SLE presents a treatment challenge to the clinician. Nonpharmacological interventions that incorporate holistic, mind-body, approaches aimed at improving physical and psychological health in persons with SLE are needed.

Recent studies have shown a number of physical and mental health benefits associated with yoga among persons with various chronic conditions. In SLE, no study has been undertaken to specifically tailor and evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of a yoga program for this patient population. We developed a yoga program, based on Iyengar yoga, to address needs specific to persons with lupus, taking into account the physical and psychological effects of this illness.

Hypothesis: Persons with SLE will benefit from an adapted yoga program with improved health status including, decreased psychological distress, fatigue, pain, and improved physical conditioning and quality of life.

Objectives: To 1) develop a standardized yoga program adapted specifically to persons with SLE, 2) evaluate the feasibility of using the yoga program in SLE, and 3) determine the effect of the yoga program on psychological distress, fatigue, pain, physical conditioning, and overall quality of life in SLE.

Methodology: This will be a randomized control study. Participants will be recruited at the McGill University Health Centre Lupus Clinic. Consenting participants will be randomly allocated to standard treatment (control group) or standard treatment plus yoga (treatment group). We expect to recruit 24 persons in each group.

All participants will have physical assessments of disease activity and damage performed by their physician at study entry and at study completion. Questionnaires addressing psychological and physical distress will be administered at entry and at the completion of the study. Participants in the yoga group will be asked to attend 60-minute yoga classes twice weekly for a period of eight weeks. The classes will be held in a yoga studio and led by a certified Iyengar yoga instructor. The program consists of a series of poses. Focusing on correct body alignment, the instructor will lead participants into poses that concentrate on relaxing muscle to release physical tension and create mental relaxation. Props (blankets, bolsters, blocks) will be used to attain poses with ease. All poses will be taught with the intention that they will be easily replicated at home.

Expected outcome: It is expected that the yoga program will provide a valuable coping tool for managing SLE manifestations and improving physical and psychological distress caused by the symptoms and treatments of SLE.

02

Conditions studied

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Keywords

  • SLE
  • Yoga
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In context

Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic

1,202 studies on the registry are indexed under Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; 399 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 57 is above the median of 50 across 867 interventional studies indexed under Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic.

Browse Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic studies →

Lead sponsor

McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre is the lead sponsor of 414 studies on the registry; 106 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • age 18-65
  • Diagnosis of SLE based on ACR criteria

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • presently enrolled in a yoga program
  • osteoporosis (T score ≥ -2.5)
  • avascular necrosis
  • taking quinolone in the preceding 3 months
  • taking ≥ 30 mg of prednisone daily
  • history of joint replacement or organ transplant
  • Persons with any pre-existing condition that would prevent attendance at the yoga classes
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
57 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    standard care plus yoga

    Participants will be asked to complete two yoga classes weekly over a period of eight weeks.

    Other: Standard care plus Yoga

  • No intervention
    Standard care

Interventions

  • OtherStandard care plus Yoga

    Participants will be asked to complete two yoga classes weekly over a period of eight weeks.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Measures of compliance (class attendance, frequency of home practice)and results of post-yoga evaluations and post yoga discussion groups will be used as measures of feasibility of using yoga in SLE

    The number of yoga classes attended and homework logs will be monitored. Post-yoga evaluations will be used to assess satisfaction, acceptability, feasibility and perceived helpfulness of the yoga program. Audiotaped discussion groups led by an experienced moderator will follow the last yoga class. Content analysis will be used to analyze recorded transcripts.

    Time frame: 3 months (post yoga intervention)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pre- and post-yoga measurements of disease activity, quality of life, psychological distress (depression,anxiety and stress), sleep quality, fatigue, pain, and a global assessment of health will be used to assess efficacy of yoga in SLE

    Disease activity will be assessed by a medical evaluator blinded to the study hypothesis at study entry and at completion of the yoga program. Self-report questionnaires will be used to measure pre- and post-yoga assessments of quality of life (SF36), psychological distress (CESD, STAI and PSS), sleep quality (PSQI),fatigue (MFI20),and visual analogue scales will be used to measure pain and self-reported health.

    Time frame: 3 months (post yoga intervention)

07

Study locations

1 site
  • McGill University Health Centre at Montreal General Hospital
    Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Badsha H, Chhabra V, Leibman C, Mofti A, Kong KO. The benefits of yoga for rheumatoid arthritis: results of a preliminary, structured 8-week program. Rheumatol Int. 2009 Oct;29(12):1417-21. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-0871-1. Epub 2009 Jan 31. PubMed 19184028 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 24, 2013, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01176643
Lead sponsor
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Responsible party
Dr. Sasha Bernatsky (DR, McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre) — Principal investigator
First posted
Aug 6, 2010
Start date
Aug 2010
Primary completion
May 2012
Completion
Aug 2013
Last update
Sep 24, 2013

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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