The Effects of a Virtual Yoga Program on Patients With Chronic Pain

Inclusion Criteria:

• chronic pain for > 6 months' duration

• on stable doses of medication prior to entering the study and agree not to changemedications or dosages (or CAM treatments) during the trial

• have an average pain score of 4/10 or greater over the previous week

• at least mild degree of sleep disturbance, defined as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score >5

• are able to speak and understand English

• have access to a computer or tablet at home and have an email address

• are not currently engaged in a rigorous daily exercise routine (>5X/week)

• are willing and physically able to participate in virtual yoga-based exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

• currently under active cancer treatment (chemo, infusion, ongoing radiation)

• acute osteomyelitis or acute bone disease

• current diagnosis of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoidarthritis and lupus

• present or past diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder,or dissociative disorder that would be judged to interfere with study participation

• pregnancy

• any clinically unstable systemic illness judged to interfere with exercise treatment

• a pain condition requiring urgent surgery

• an active addiction disorder, such as cocaine or IV heroin use, that would interferewith study participation

• contraindications to yoga (e.g., severe back or neck injury or surgery)

• regular meditation practice or other meditative practice (e.g tai-chi, meditativeform of yoga or contemplative prayer) for >20 min/week in the past 2 years

• participating in any other therapeutic trial

• other medical condition that would interfere with ability to exercise