Yoga for Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (PPSP)

Conditions

• Persistent Post-surgical Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Not accepted

Interventions

• Yoga — BEHAVIORAL
  Duration: 12 weeks; Class length: Three ∼75-minute classes per week. Two in-person/virtual (hybrid), one virtual only (MGB Zoom); Frequency: Three classes per week; Group size: 8-9 PPSP patients.
• Chronic Pain Health Education — BEHAVIORAL
  Duration: 12 weeks (short videos and PowerPoint presentations); Class length: Interactive 15-30 minute education sessions delivered via video conference (i.e., MGB Zoom); Frequency: Three classes per week; Group size: 8-9 PPSP patients.

Study Details

The overall goal of this project is to complete a pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial (RCT) to inform a future fully-powered translational study evaluating yoga for management and resolution of persistent-post surgical pan (PPSP) and the role of biological, psychophysical, and psychosocial modulators in PPSP resolution.

Key Dates

Start date

Mar 12, 2026

Status verified

May 2026

Primary completion

Sep 30, 2028

Completion

Jun 30, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment

50 participants (estimated)

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

OTHER

Arms

• Experimental: Yoga group
  Yoga Program Procedure This program was adapted and validated from a previously validated yoga program for patients with chronic lower back pain (cLBP), originally designed and clinically evaluated by Dr. Saper. While the program includes postures targeting the torso, modifications were made to address the specific needs of post-surgical patients (e.g., verbal intensity cues, duration of pose holding, and posture adjustments). The adaptation and validation process was guided by a modified Delphi approach with an embedded focus group, involving both an expert panel and PPSP participants. Participants attended a sample yoga class and shared insights during a focus group discussion, which informed program modifications.
• Active Comparator: Chronic Pain Health Education (CPHE)
  Chronic Pain Health Education Procedures (CPHE) To partially control for attention and expectation effects associated with yoga therapy, participants randomized to the control group will receive a modified version of an education-based intervention that we recently developed and validated for an ongoing study evaluating migraine pain. Participants assigned to the CPHE (Chronic Pain Health Education) arm will attend 12 interactive 15-30-minute education sessions delivered via video conference. Each session will be offered three times per week, allowing participants the option to attend multiple sessions to reinforce the material. Most sessions will include a short educational video, which will be watched together by participants and the RA. After each video, the RA will facilitate a structured, scripted discussion on the topic. Example session topics include: Understanding Clinical Trials, Biology of Persistent Post-Surgical Pain (PPSP).

Primary Outcome Measure

Feasibility and Acceptability for Aim 1-Enrollment [ Time Frame: 36 months ]

Central Contacts

• Dennis Munoz-Vergara, DVM, MS, MPH
  617-278-0917
  [email protected]
• Peter Wayne, PhD
  617-732-6271
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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