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

Eligibility Criteria

• * chronic pain for \> 6 months' duration
• * on stable doses of medication prior to entering the study and agree not to change medications 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
• * currently under active cancer treatment (chemo, infusion, ongoing radiation)
• * acute osteomyelitis or acute bone disease
• * current diagnosis of chronic systemic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis 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 interfere with 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, meditative form 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