Examining the Effectiveness of Asynchronous Versus Synchronous Yoga for Veterans With Chronic Pain

The 5-session Pain-Sensitive Teleyoga Primer will be delivered synchronously to participants who will practice from their home. The purpose of the 5-session primer is two-fold: (1) it allows trained yoga instructors to determine physical abilities and limitations of patient participants so that pose modifications may be taught and (2) it provides education to participants on pain neuroscience, breathwork, relaxation, mindfulness, and interoception so that they may apply this knowledge to maximize the benefits of whichever yoga condition they are randomized to. Each session will last approximately 75 minutes. Participants will be provided with a supplementary handout to reinforce content from the sessions.

Participants randomized to receive synchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can attend VAPORHCS virtual yoga offerings. They will be encouraged to attend one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance will be tracked via a signed note in the medical record. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes.

Participants randomized to receive asynchronous teleyoga will be provided information so that they can access to the digital library of yoga videos on Ompractice, an existing partner with VA Medical Centers. Ompractice contains a suite of yoga video content, and participants will be encouraged to complete one class per week during the 12 weeks between randomization and follow-up assessment. Attendance will be tracked by Ompractice and shared with VAPORHCS.