Trial Outcomes & Findings for Hyperthermic Yoga for Depressive Symptoms (NCT NCT02607514)

NCT ID: NCT02607514

Last Updated: 2025-11-20

Results Overview

Acceptability Interview: A 19-question qualitative interview assesses perception of ease of participation, program likeability, and perceived benefits of the yoga program. Adapted from DeBoer et al. It was a 1-10 likert scale with 1 = lowest, 10 = highest to rate acceptability of the yoga intervention. These are the items we used: 1) how much did you enjoy the yoga itself?; 2) how much did you enjoy the aftereffects of the yoga?; and 3) how reasonable did you find the time commitment to be?

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

80 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

at the end of 8-weeks or early termination.

Results posted on

2025-11-20

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Immediate Yoga Arm
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Delayed Yoga Arm
participants will wait 8 weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Overall Study
STARTED
40
40
Overall Study
COMPLETED
22
26
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
18
14

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Hyperthermic Yoga for Depressive Symptoms

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8 weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Total
n=65 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=39 Participants
0 Participants
n=29 Participants
0 Participants
n=60 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
33 Participants
n=39 Participants
32 Participants
n=29 Participants
65 Participants
n=60 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=39 Participants
0 Participants
n=29 Participants
0 Participants
n=60 Participants
Age, Continuous
32.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.65 • n=39 Participants
33.12 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.93 • n=29 Participants
32.71 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.7 • n=60 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
25 Participants
n=39 Participants
28 Participants
n=29 Participants
53 Participants
n=60 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
8 Participants
n=39 Participants
4 Participants
n=29 Participants
12 Participants
n=60 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=39 Participants
5 Participants
n=29 Participants
7 Participants
n=60 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
31 Participants
n=39 Participants
27 Participants
n=29 Participants
58 Participants
n=60 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=39 Participants
0 Participants
n=29 Participants
0 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=39 Participants
0 Participants
n=29 Participants
0 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
2 Participants
n=39 Participants
2 Participants
n=29 Participants
4 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=39 Participants
0 Participants
n=29 Participants
0 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
4 Participants
n=39 Participants
4 Participants
n=29 Participants
8 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
24 Participants
n=39 Participants
21 Participants
n=29 Participants
45 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
3 Participants
n=39 Participants
3 Participants
n=29 Participants
6 Participants
n=60 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=39 Participants
2 Participants
n=29 Participants
2 Participants
n=60 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
33 Participants
n=39 Participants
32 Participants
n=29 Participants
65 Participants
n=60 Participants
IDS-CR
36.86 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.80 • n=39 Participants
34.38 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.68 • n=29 Participants
35.63 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.87 • n=60 Participants
HAMD-17
22.21 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.42 • n=39 Participants
20.78 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.02 • n=29 Participants
21.51 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.80 • n=60 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 8-week primary endpoint

Population: The number of baseline participants reported is the sample that we analyzed in our a priori Modified Intent-to-Treat (MITT) primary analysis.

Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician Rated. Scale range: 0-84 (higher = greater depressive symptoms)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Depressive Symptoms as Measured by the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - Clinician Rated (IDS-CR)
29.63 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.58
17.93 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 12.70

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 8-week primary end point

Measured by percent of the yoga group who complete a week 8 assessment

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Feasibility and Tolerability Measured by Percent of the Yoga Group Who Complete a Week 8 Assessment
32 Participants
27 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: at the end of 8-weeks or early termination.

Population: we analyzed participants who finished the trial in the immediate yoga arm, delayed yoga arm, or terminated early from the intervention. \*we only published and analyzed results from the immediate yoga arm

Acceptability Interview: A 19-question qualitative interview assesses perception of ease of participation, program likeability, and perceived benefits of the yoga program. Adapted from DeBoer et al. It was a 1-10 likert scale with 1 = lowest, 10 = highest to rate acceptability of the yoga intervention. These are the items we used: 1) how much did you enjoy the yoga itself?; 2) how much did you enjoy the aftereffects of the yoga?; and 3) how reasonable did you find the time commitment to be?

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=27 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=27 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Acceptability as Measured by the Acceptability Interview Completed at 8-week Endpoint or Early Termination
Enjoyment of yoga
7.52 likert scale units
Standard Deviation 1.99
7.17 likert scale units
Standard Deviation 2.28
Acceptability as Measured by the Acceptability Interview Completed at 8-week Endpoint or Early Termination
Enjoyment of aftereffects of yoga
8.59 likert scale units
Standard Deviation 1.67
8.33 likert scale units
Standard Deviation 1.74
Acceptability as Measured by the Acceptability Interview Completed at 8-week Endpoint or Early Termination
Reasonable time commitment
7 likert scale units
Standard Deviation 2
6.90 likert scale units
Standard Deviation 2.38

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8-weeks end point

Quality of Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) Range 0-70 with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction and enjoyment

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Quality of Life as Measured by the Quality of Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) Over 8 Weeks.
41.34 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.24
51.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.90

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form survey (SF-36): Assesses bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, physical and emotional impediments to role functioning, mental health, and includes an overall physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS). scores range from 0-100 with 100 being the best.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
General Health as Measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Survey (SF-36)
53.5 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 18.72
61.67 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 23.15

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form survey (SF-36)86: Assesses bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, physical and emotional impediments to role functioning, mental health, and includes an overall physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS). Scores range from 0-100 with 100 being the best.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Physical Functioning as Measured by the Physical Component Scale (PCS) of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-form Survey (SF-36) Over 8 Weeks.
53.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16
47.62 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS): Measures perceived level of stress. Scale range: 0-40 (higher = more perceived stress)

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Perceived Stress as Measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) Over 8 Weeks.
22.33 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.84
17.42 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.22

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), State. A 40-item commonly used measure that distinguishes between state vs. trait anxiety. Ranges from 0-63 with higher scores indicating more anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Anxiety as Measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), State, Over 8 Weeks.
48.43 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 9.66
40.69 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.74

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8-weeks

Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): A commonly used and well-validated self-rated measure of sleep-quality and disturbance. total score ranges from 0-21 with higher score indicating worse sleep quality.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: one month post intervention

see all primary and secondary outcome measures listed here.

Outcome measures

Outcome data not reported

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Trait. A 40-item commonly used measure that distinguishes between state vs. trait anxiety. Ranges from 0-63 with higher scores indicating more anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 Participants
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 Participants
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Anxiety as Measured by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Trait, Over 8 Weeks.
54.1 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.25
46.70 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 11.80

Adverse Events

Immediate Yoga Arm

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 3 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Delayed Yoga Arm

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Immediate Yoga Arm
n=33 participants at risk
participants will immediately start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Delayed Yoga Arm
n=32 participants at risk
participants will wait 8-weeks to start the 8-week hyperthermic yoga intervention hyperthermic yoga: heated yoga, 90-minutes
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Back pain
9.1%
3/33 • Number of events 3 • 8 weeks
3.1%
1/32 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks

Additional Information

Maren Nyer

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone: 6072796290

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place