Fascial Yoga in Menopausal Women

NCT07401810 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: MU-SBF-ETIK-206
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a structured fascial yoga-based behavioral intervention on perceived stress, cognitive control, and cognitive flexibility in menopausal women. The study aims to determine whether a non-pharmacological and non-invasive behavioral intervention can support psychological and cognitive functioning and reduce perceived stress in menopausal women. Design: This study is designed as a randomized controlled, pretest-posttest experimental study with a post-intervention follow-up assessment. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group receiving usual care. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at follow-up to evaluate both the immediate and sustained effects of the intervention. Method: A total of 60 menopausal women aged 45-65 years will be recruited from the menopause outpatient clinic and randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will participate in a 12-week online fascial yoga program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. In this study, fascial yoga is defined as a fascia-focused, non-pharmacological, and non-invasive behavioral intervention that includes myofascial release techniques, breath regulation, body awareness, and basic yoga practices to support stress regulation and cognitive functioning. The program will include myofascial release techniques, basic yoga postures suitable for all physical fitness levels, and structured breathing exercises. All sessions will be conducted online in a group format, and no audio or video recordings will be taken. The control group will continue to receive routine outpatient care during the study period. After completion of the follow-up assessments, the fascial yoga program will be offered to participants in the control group upon request. Data will be collected at three time points: at baseline before the intervention, immediately after completion of the 12-week intervention, and at the follow-up assessment 8 weeks after the intervention. Perceived stress, cognitive control, and cognitive flexibility will be assessed using validated self-report questionnaires. Hypotheses: H1: Menopausal women participating in the fascial yoga intervention will show a significant reduction in perceived stress levels compared with the control group at post-intervention and follow-up assessments. H2: Menopausal women participating in the fascial yoga intervention will show a significant improvement in cognitive control and cognitive flexibility compared with the control group at post-intervention and follow-up assessments.

Conditions

Menopause; Stress, Psychological; Cognitive Flexibility; Nonpharmacological Interventions; Randomized Controlled Trial; Cognitive Control; Perceived Stress; Yoga

Keywords

Menopause; Perceived Stress; Cognitive Flexibility; Cognitive Control; Yoga

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Perceived Stress Level

  Change in perceived stress levels measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14). The scale consists of 14 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0-4), with total scores ranging from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate higher perceived stress levels.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (12 weeks), and 8 weeks post-intervention follow-up

• Cognitive Control and Flexibility

  Change in cognitive control and cognitive flexibility levels measured using the Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of two subscales (cognitive control and cognitive flexibility), with items rated on a 7-point Likert scale. Higher scores indicate better cognitive control and greater cognitive flexibility.

  Baseline, immediately post-intervention (12 weeks), and 8 weeks post-intervention follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Fascial Yoga Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Fascial Yoga Program

Usual Care

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Fascial Yoga Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured 12-week online fascial yoga program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. The intervention focuses on fascial myofascial relaxation, breathing regulation, and body awareness for stress regulation and cognitive functioning. Sessions will be conducted in a group format, and no audio or video recordings will be taken.

Fascial Yoga Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 45 Years - 65 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: This study is gender-based because it focuses exclusively on women in the menopausal period, a biological condition that occurs only in females. Eligibility criteria are therefore limited to female participants.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Female participants aged 45-65 years
• In the menopausal period, defined as at least 12 months since the last menstrual period
• Able to read and understand Turkish and to complete self-report questionnaires

You may not qualify if:

• Current or past diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder or ongoing psychiatric treatment
• Regular use of antidepressant, anxiolytic, or corticosteroid medications
• History of cancer or currently receiving active oncological treatment
• Participation in fascial yoga, yoga, or similar yoga-based programs within the past 6 months
• Any medical condition that may prevent safe participation in mild physical activity

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Marmara University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Ayşe Eminoğlu, RN, MSc, PhD Candidate

CONTACT

+905415998795; ayse.eminoglu@marmara.edu.tr

Semra Karaca, PhD

CONTACT

+905523050273; sckaraca@marmara.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 3, 2026
• First Posted: February 10, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share