Yoga and Female Concussion

November 25, 2025 updated by: Martina Anto-Ocrah, University of Pittsburgh

Post Traumatic Growth After Concussion in Women

Most research on the impact of mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussions have been deficit-based and focused on the impairments induced by the injury. Research shows that trauma doesn't always have negative effects. While some people suffer, others may experience positive psychological changes. This is known as posttraumatic growth (PTG), which refers to the positive changes that can come from struggling with a life-changing event. In this study, the investigators explore if pilot yoga intervention improves PTG scores for women who have had concussions.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The investigators will be collaborating with the Pink Concussion network on this endeavor to recruit study participants who are residents of United States. PINK is an online support network for women with concussion symptoms lasting ≥1 month. PINK participants will be recruited online using an IRB approved consent form that will be on the study's landing page. Upon clicking the survey invitation link, potential survey takers will be brought to the very first page of the survey which will be the IRB-approved consent page. This will list the risks, benefits, incentives, and overall research processes. The consent will also state that the research is no greater than minimal risk and involves procedures for which written consent is normally not required outside of the research context. After reviewing the approved information sheet, participants will be prompted to consent yes in order to move on to the survey body. Those who do not consent will be sent to a "Thank you page" and not continue. Those who do so, will begin the survey. All survey questions will be voluntary and responses will be de-identified and analyzed in aggregate to ensure anonymity.

The Yoga intervention will be administered by LoveYourBrain Yoga, a US-based global non-profit organization that aims to improves the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury through Yoga and meditation, education and other brain-health initiatives.

Thirty PINK participants will be randomly selected to participate in the LYB Yoga intervention. The Yoga sessions will be virtual and study participants will be able to complete these sessions at home. The session will not be recorded. They will be free of cost for the study participants. Yoga that will be taught is a simple form of exercise that is tailored to people with a history of TBI. The movements are slow and study participants will have the choice to participate up to their comfort level.The role of LoveYourBrain will be to administer the yoga intervention and will not be engaged in the research study.

The investigators will administer the Post-Traumatic Growth surveys again at 7 weeks and 30 days to 15 Yoga and 15 Wait list controls. The 15 Yoga participants will also do the post-yoga assessments at 7 weeks (1 week post-yoga). The 15 Wait list controls will do the LYB program after the 30-day PTG surveys have been completed. The 15 Wait list controls will receive a follow up survey, 1 week after the completion of the LYB program. The intervention group participants who have attended 3 or more LYB yoga sessions will also receive a week-20 follow up survey. Total evaluations will be at 1 week, 5 weeks and 20 weeks post-yoga

Because all participants will be receiving the Yoga intervention eventually (using a sequential design), allocation will be on a first come, first serve basis. After the n=15 has been reached for the Yoga, those still interested and available will be put in the wait-list control group to also receive the Yoga after the original Yoga group has finished all intervention activities.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
27

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Pennsylvania
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
        • University of Pittsburgh, DGIM

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria for ALL PINK participants (STEP 1):

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Assigned female at birth
  • Belongs to PINK Concussion Facebook group from as a concussion survivor
  • Should be a resident of United States

Exclusion Criteria:

• Does not consent to study

To be included in YOGA intervention from STEP 1, they should:

  1. Have low PTG (PGI-X score <75)
  2. Be inexperienced/novice yoga users
  3. Not be receiving rehab services

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Does not consent to study

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Yoga group
The Yoga group were assigned to a six-week, evidence-based, light intensity Yoga and meditation curriculum developed for individuals living with TBI. The intervention is delivered online and synchronously, the program is led by experienced instructors with more than a decade of teaching experience in Yoga. Each weekly session is 75 minutes and combines gentle postures, guided breathing exercises (pranayama), Yoga nidra (deep relaxation), and meditation practices. Before each of the Yoga sessions, participants are e-mailed prerecorded tools that focused on a specific theme for the week
Behavioral: Yoga
The LoveYourBrain (LYB) Yoga program is a six-week, evidence-based, light intensity Yoga and meditation curriculum developed for individuals living with TBI. It is delivered online and synchronously, the program is led by experienced instructors with more than a decade of teaching experience in Yoga. Each weekly session is 75 minutes and combines gentle postures, guided breathing exercises (pranayama), Yoga nidra (deep relaxation), and meditation practices. Before each of the Yoga sessions, participants are e-mailed prerecorded tools that focused on a specific theme for the week (resilience, mindfulness etc.)
Other Names:
  • LoveYourBrain Yoga
Other: Wait List Control Group
This is the wait list control group that got the Yoga intervention after data collection was completed for the Yoga group.
Behavioral: Yoga for wait list control
After the active Yoga group received the intervention, the wait list control was then assigned to the intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Post Traumatic Growth
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Post Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X). Scores range from 0-125, with higher scores indicating greater post traumatic growth. Scores ≥75 is used as cutoff for moderate to high PTG; and scores <75 are deemed low PTG
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Female Sexual Function Index-6 (FSFI-6)
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
To assess intimacy/relationships after brain injury. Consists of 6 questions related to sexual activity within the 4 weeks prior to the examination and includes sexual desire, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. Scoring is based on Likert scoring from 0-5. Total scores range from 2-30 with lower scores corresponding to worse sexual functioning.
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Resilience
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Resilience will be measured using the 25-item Resilience Scale. Range of scores: 25 - 175; higher scores indicating greater resilience
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Flourishing
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
This 12- item scale will be used to understand overall wellbeing before and after the intervention. The score is obtained by summing the scores from the twelve questions in all six domains and results in a score from 0 - 120. Scores are on a scale of 0-10. Higher scores are indicative of greater flourishing.
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
The investigators will use the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire to evaluate prevalence of persistent Post-concussion Symptoms among study participants. The RPQ is a 16-item self-report measure of the presence and severity of the 16 most commonly reported post-concussive symptoms observed in the literature. Values for each of the 16 items are ranked on a five-point scale (0 = not experienced at all, 4 = severe problem). Scores on the RPQ range from 0 to 64, with higher scores suggestive of greater PCS burden.
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Anxiety
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
The investigators will use the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to evaluate prevalence of anxiety post-concussion using this brief 9-item screener. Participants respond to how often they have been bothered by symptoms, from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day).GAD-7 total score for the seven items ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores suggestive of greater anxiety.
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Depression
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
The investigators will use the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate prevalence of depression post-concussion among study participants. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a 9-item screener to assess the frequency of depressed mood/anhedonia over the past two weeks. Participants respond to how often they have been bothered by symptoms, from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Scores range from 0-27, with higher scores suggestive of greater depression.
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Time Frame: Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)
The investigators will use the PTSD Checklist for The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM-V) (PCL-5) to evaluate prevalence of PTSD among study participants. This is a well-validated 20-item scale that assesses symptoms mirrored from the diagnostic criteria for PTSD in the DSM-V. Participants rate the extent that symptoms have bothered them in the past month on a 5-point scale from 0-4, with total scores ranging from 0-80 and higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.
Baseline (at enrollment), 1 week post-yoga (Week 7) and 4 weeks post-yoga (Week 10), and Week 19 (after the wait-list control group had completed their yoga sessions)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Pittsburgh

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
PINK Concussions
LoveYourBrain Foundation

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 10, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
April 24, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 24, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 5, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 5, 2025

First Posted (Estimated)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 12, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
December 10, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
November 25, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • STUDY23090017
  • K01NS121199 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Data will be analyzed in aggregate and there is no plans to share participant data individually. We must protect their identity and ensure data anonymity and confidentiality. This is particularly important given the small sample sizes. Upon reasonable request from the PI, Dr. Anto-Ocrah, the data will be shared in aggregate.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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