An interventional study of Yoga and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Chronic Pain and Musculoskeletal Pain, sponsored by Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-29.
Sponsored by Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study will compare online yoga with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an established treatment for chronic pain. We will compare the efficacy of the two treatments for reducing chronic musculoskeletal pain in veterans.
This study will test if online yoga is not inferior than ACT for treating chronic pain in veterans. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either online yoga instruction or ACT, once a week for 12 weeks in an online group class. They will complete self-report questionnaires about their experience of chronic pain. There will be a 6-month follow up period, during which the research team will check in with the participant to record any adverse events and maintain study contact.
Exclusion Criteria:
Postures, meditation, breathing exercises
Behavioral: Yoga
Behavioral medicine
Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
A 12-week online yoga course designed to treat pain.
A 12-week behavioral therapy course designed to treat pain.
Pain Interference (Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form)
The degree to which pain impacts mood, walking and other daily activities, as measured by the Pain Interference Scale of the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF). The BPI-SF assesses intensity and impact of pain on functioning on a 0-10 rating scale, with higher scores indicating greater degree of interference.
Time frame: Baseline, End-of-treatment at 12 weeks, and 6 months after treatment
Depression (BDI-II)
Symptoms of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). The BDI-II is comprised of 21 self-report questions, scored on a 0-3 scale, with higher scores indicating more depressive symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline, End-of-treatment at 12 weeks, and 6 months after treatment
Sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index)
Sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI is a a self-rated questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month interval.
Time frame: Baseline, End-of-treatment at 12 weeks, and 6 months after treatment
Plan to share: Yes — All demographic, clinical observations, and clinical self-reports
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf
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Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research