Medical Yoga for Patients With Stress-related Symptoms

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of Medical Yoga as a group treatment, to conventional treatment provided by a physical therapist, for people with perceived stress-related symptoms. Forty people are to be randomized to either: Intervention Group - Medical Yoga, group treatment for eight weeks, 60 minutes per week, with the guidance of a physical therapist. or Control - treatment as usual (TAU) in physical therapy.

Conditions
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Stress-related Illness/Anxiety

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Medical Yoga
* Other: Treatment as Usual (physical therapy)


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Perceived stress and anxiety, which could be expressed as for example as tension in the neck and shoulders, insomnia, anxiety and headaches. Exclusion Criteria: Do not understand Swedish (as group instructions need to be understood), Pregnancy, Psychotic symptoms, Ongoing or physical therapy treatment the last three months, Previously participated in Medical Yoga group.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Medical Yoga<br>Medical Yoga Group therapy for eight weeks, 60 minutes per week, with the guidance of a physical therapist. | Other: Medical Yoga<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: Treatment as Usual (physical therapy)<br>Treatment as Usual provided by physical therapist | Other: Treatment as Usual (physical therapy)<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) | Outcome will be measured as change between baseline and follow-ups and between follow-ups. Total score will also be analysed between groups at follow-up(s). | baseline, follow-up at approx 8 weeks after first treatment session, follow-up at approx 20 weeks after first treatment session | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) |  | baseline, follow-up at approx 8 weeks after first treatment session, follow-up at approx 20 weeks after first treatment session | 
| Health-related quality of Life; EQ5D |  | baseline, follow-up at approx 8 weeks after first treatment session, follow-up at approx 20 weeks after first treatment session | 
| Thorax excursion: Measured in centimeters with tape measure, chest size at the level of processus xiphoideus, the difference between the maximum inhalation and exhalation is registered |  | baseline, follow-up at approx 8 weeks after first treatment session, follow-up at approx 20 weeks after first treatment session | 
| Health-related quality of Life; EQ-VAS |  | baseline, follow-up at approx 8 weeks after first treatment session, follow-up at approx 20 weeks after first treatment session |