YOGA FOR CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS (JIA)

June 18, 2026 updated by: Sebahat Yaprak Cetin, PT, Akdeniz University

INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEREHABILITATION-BASED YOGA EXERCISES IN CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune condition starting before age 16, often leading to fatigue, joint stiffness, and decreased physical activity. While exercise is widely recommended to improve functional capacity in children with JIA, the effectiveness of specialized mind-body exercises like yoga is still being explored. This study aims to investigate the impact of an 8-week, telerehabilitation-based yoga program on children with JIA. Participants will engage in 45-minute individual yoga sessions twice a week via Zoom, led by certified physiotherapists. The sessions will progress in difficulty and focus on breathing techniques, physical postures, and meditation to improve the overall physical and mental well-being of the children.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

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

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is characterized by chronic inflammation that manifests in symptoms such as pain, swelling, movement restriction, and growth retardation. Clinical evidence suggests that exercise interventions, including aerobic and strengthening programs, provide significant benefits for pain management, range of motion (ROM), and quality of life in this population.

Yoga is a traditional exercise discipline that integrates breathing techniques (Pranayama), physical postures (Asanas), and meditation (Dhyana). Due to its adaptable nature and minimal equipment requirements, it has gained popularity as a therapeutic intervention. This study utilizes a telerehabilitation-based approach to deliver yoga to children with JIA, ensuring accessibility and professional guidance at home.

The Intervention Protocol:

Participants will undergo a specialized yoga program twice a week for 8 weeks. Each session will last 45 minutes and will be conducted one-on-one by two physiotherapists certified in "Yoga for Children" via the Zoom platform. The protocol is based on established literature.

Each session follows a structured sequence:

Introduction: Diaphragmatic breathing exercises. Main Phase: Progressive yoga postures (moving from simple to complex). Postures will be held for 2-3 breaths initially, progressing up to 10 breaths as the child's tolerance increases.

Closing: Relaxation and meditation.

List of Yoga Postures to be Utilized:

Mountain Pose, Crescent Pose (Starting positions) Star Pose, Tree Pose, Eagle Pose Bumblebee and Camel Pose Warrior I, II, and III Poses Triangle Pose, Horse Pose Lunge Pose, Butterfly Pose Frog, Pigeon, Turtle, and Basket Poses Diamond and Candle Poses Tiger Pose, Boat Pose Cat-Cow Pose, Reversed Hedgehog Pose Bridge, Rabbit, Child's Pose, and Plank. During transitions, children will be allowed rest periods as needed. The focus will remain on the synchronization of breath and movement throughout the intervention.

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 (Estimated)

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.
32

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

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

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Being between 8 and 12 years of age.
  • Diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) by a pediatric rheumatologist.
  • Having no major changes in pharmacological treatment within the last 3 months.
  • Having reliable internet access and the necessary technological equipment to participate in online video sessions.
  • Voluntary participation in the study.
  • Providing written parental informed consent and child assent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Being in an acute disease flare-up/attack period.
  • Having undergone orthopedic surgery within the last 6 months.
  • Presence of severe cardiopulmonary or neurological conditions that contraindicate participating in yoga exercises.
  • Cognitive level or impairment that prevents the child from following instructions and verbal cues.
  • Regular participation in another structured exercise or physical rehabilitation program.

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

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: Telerehabilitation-Based Yoga Group
Participants will be allocated to this group using block randomization based on age and body mass index (BMI). This group will participate in a telerehabilitation-based yoga program for 8 weeks, 2 days per week, with each session lasting 45 minutes. The sessions will be conducted one-on-one, in real-time, via the Zoom platform, led by certified physiotherapists. The structured program includes diaphragmatic breathing techniques, progressive pediatric-focused yoga postures (asanas), and relaxation/meditation phases.
Behavioral: Telerehabilitation-Based Yoga Group

An 8-week, home-based virtual yoga program designed specifically for pediatric populations with chronic conditions. Sessions are conducted 2 days per week for 45 minutes each. The intervention is delivered live, face-to-face, and one-on-one via the Zoom platform by two physiotherapists certified in "Yoga for Children." Each session follows a standardized sequence:

  1. Breathing Phase: Starting with diaphragmatic breathing.
  2. Active Phase: Progression of 17 distinct pediatric yoga poses (e.g., Mountain, Tree, Warrior, Butterfly, Cat-Cow, and Plank). Each pose is held for 2-3 breaths initially, progressing up to 10 breaths as tolerated.
  3. Meditation Phase: Concluding with guided relaxation and meditation.

Difficulty and repetitions are adapted weekly based on the individual child's physical capacity and comfort.
Active Comparator: Home-Based Exercise Control Group
Participants will be allocated to this group using block randomization based on age and body mass index (BMI). This control group will follow a standard, home-based physical exercise program. The exercises will be performed independently at home by the children, with family supervision, during the 8-week study period.
Behavioral: Standard Home-Based Physical Exercise Program
An 8-week structured home exercise program consisting of standard physical therapy exercises conventionally recommended for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The protocol includes gentle stretching to maintain joint range of motion, low-impact strengthening exercises for major muscle groups, and basic posture/balance training. Participants perform these exercises independently at home, under parental supervision, to match the 8-week timeline of the intervention group.

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
Functional Reach Test (FRT)
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test evaluates dynamic balance and limits of stability. Participants stand barefoot or with flat-molded shoes parallel to a wall, with the shoulder flexed at 90 degrees and the arm extended forward to establish a baseline. For the forward reach, participants reach as far forward as possible without taking a step. The distance between the initial and final positions is measured in centimeters (cm). The test is repeated three times, and the average score is recorded. Higher scores indicate better dynamic balance and stability.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test (1STST)
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test assesses lower extremity muscle endurance and functional capacity. Participants sit on a standard-height chair with their arms crossed over their chest. Upon the "start" command, they perform as many full sit-to-stand repetitions as possible within 1 minute. The number of correctly completed repetitions is recorded. Higher repetition counts indicate superior lower extremity muscular endurance.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
Lateral reach test
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test evaluates dynamic balance. The patricipants leaning against the wall with the shoulder flexed at 90 degrees and the arm extended forward to establish a baseline. For the test, they reach as far sideways as possible without trunk rotation. The distance between the initial and final positions is measured in centimeters (cm). The test is repeated three times, and the average score is recorded. Higher scores indicate better dynamic balance and stability.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

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
Biering-Sorensen Test for Trunk Extensor Endurance
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test evaluates the isometric endurance of the trunk extensor muscles. Participants lie prone on an examination table with their pelvis, hips, and lower extremities secured. The upper trunk is positioned horizontally off the edge of the table, and participants are instructed to maintain this unsupported horizontal position for as long as possible. The duration for which the position is maintained is recorded in seconds. Longer duration indicates better back extensor muscle endurance.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
Sit-and-Reach Test
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test measures the flexibility of the hamstring muscles and the lumbar spine. Participants sit in a long-sitting position with knees fully extended and bare feet placed flat against the testing box. They reach forward with both hands as far as possible without bending the knees. The maximum distance reached by the fingertips is recorded in centimeters (cm). The best trial out of three attempts is used for evaluation. Higher values represent better hamstring and lower back flexibility.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
Curl-Up Test for Abdominal Endurance
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test is utilized to assess abdominal muscle endurance. Participants lie in a supine position with knees flexed and feet secured. They are instructed to perform as many correct curl-ups as possible within a specified standard time or cadence. The total number of correctly executed repetitions within the time frame is recorded. A higher number of repetitions indicates greater abdominal muscle endurance.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
Push-Up Test for Upper Body Endurance
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This test evaluates upper extremity and shoulder girdle muscular endurance. Participants start in a prone plank position with hands shoulder-width apart and a straight trunk. They perform consecutive push-ups using proper elbow flexion-extension technique. Modified push-ups (e.g., knee push-ups) may be applied depending on the child's age and physical capacity. The total number of correctly completed repetitions is recorded. Higher counts reflect better upper body muscular endurance.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) Score
Time Frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)
This self-reported questionnaire evaluates the general physical activity levels of children over the past 7 days. It assesses the frequency of participation in physical activities during school hours, after school, and on weekends. Items are scored on a 5-point scale, and a total composite score is calculated (ranging from 1 to 5). Higher total scores indicate a higher level of habitual physical activity.
Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8)

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.
Akdeniz University

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 (Estimated)

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.
July 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
September 15, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
October 15, 2026

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).
June 10, 2026

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.
June 18, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

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.
June 22, 2026

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.
June 22, 2026

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.
June 18, 2026

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.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

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.
  • 2025YG

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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