Yogic Breathing Exercise and Meditation for People With Spinal Cord Disorders

Purpose

The goal of the study is to understand how well yogic breathing exercise and meditation improves breathing, fatigue, emotional well-being and quality of life in people with spinal cord disorders. Aim 1. Evaluate the efficacy of an 8-week, virtual, coach-guided yogic breathing and meditation (YBM) program on QoL and mental health in people with spinal cord disorders. This study will include completing several questionnaires 3 times, 8 weeks of participating in 2 sessions per week of yogic breathing exercise and meditation via Zoom and being interviewed once at the completion of the 8-week program.

Condition

  • Spinal Cord Disorders

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 89 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • spinal cord disorders - community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 18 years - able to follow simple, three-step verbal instructions (e.g., close your eyes, open your mouth, close your mouth) - access to the internet and an electronic device with videoconferencing capability - able to set up virtual sessions with/without caregiver assistance - sufficient English language proficiency to provide consent for study participation and complete self-report questionnaires

Exclusion Criteria

  • suicidal intent requiring emergency care - bedridden with continuous use of noninvasive ventilation - participating in weekly pulmonary PT, psychological therapy, or a clinical trial that could affect proposed study outcomes.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
yogic breathing and meditation
yogic breathing exercise and meditation exercise
  • Behavioral: yogic breathing and meditation
    yogic breathing exercise and meditation exercise

Recruiting Locations

University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama 35294
Contact:
Hon Yuen, PhD
2059346301
yuen@uab.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Contact

Hon Yuen, PhD
12059346301
yuen@uab.edu

Detailed Description

General Information You are being asked to take part in a research study. This research study is voluntary, meaning you do not have to take part in it. The procedures, risks, and benefits are fully described further in the consent form. Purpose The purpose of the study is to understand how well yogic breathing exercise and meditation improves breathing, fatigue, and emotional well-being in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Duration & Visits You will complete several questionnaires (3 different times) that will take 30 minutes to complete each time, participate in 12-30-minute yogic breathing exercise and meditation sessions (over 8 weeks), complete a 25-minute interview and that you will be in the study for 2 months. Overview of Procedures This study will include completing several questionnaires multiple times, 8 weeks of participating in 2 sessions per week of yogic breathing exercise and meditation via Zoom and being interviewed once. Risks The most common risks include some tiredness and frustration while learning the yogic breathing exercise and meditation techniques. Loss of confidentiality is also a risk.