Modified Yoga for Pulmonary Function and Quality of Life in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

NCT07842003 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GSIIESC/24/15
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 29
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot interventional study evaluated whether adding wheelchair-adapted Modified Yoga Therapy to conventional physical rehabilitation could improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life in adults with traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury. Participants with operated traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury were assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The control group received Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy (CPRT), while the experimental group received CPRT together with a 20-minute Modified Yoga Therapy program, five days per week for four weeks. The yoga program included wheelchair-adapted postures, breathing exercises (Pranayama), and relaxation. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after four weeks and included Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), and quality of life measured using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The study evaluated whether Modified Yoga Therapy could serve as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for individuals with thoracic spinal cord injury.

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury

Keywords

Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury; Modified Yoga; Wheelchair-Adapted Yoga; Pulmonary Rehabilitation; Respiratory Muscle Strength; Quality of Life; Pranayama

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)

  Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) was assessed using a Helios 401 computerized spirometer to evaluate expiratory pulmonary function. PEFR was recorded in liters per second (L/m).

  Baseline and 4 weeks

• Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)

  Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) was measured using a MicroRPM respiratory pressure meter to assess inspiratory respiratory muscle strength. MIP was recorded in cmH2O.

  Baseline and 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF)

  Baseline and 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Modified Yoga Plus Conventional Rehabilitation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy (CPRT) combined with Modified Yoga Therapy (MYT). Modified Yoga Therapy was administered for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week for 4 weeks and included Sukshmakriya, wheelchair-adapted Yogasana, Anulom Vilom Pranayama, and Savasana relaxation.

Behavioral: Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy; Behavioral: Modified Yoga Therapy

Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy (CPRT), including diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing exercises, upper-limb strengthening, passive and active lower-limb movements, pelvic bridging, abdominal curl-ups, balance training, mat activities, and standard occupational therapy.

Behavioral: Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy

Interventions

Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy included diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing, upper-limb strengthening, passive and active lower-limb movements, pelvic bridging, abdominal curl-ups, balance training, mat activities, and standard occupational therapy.

Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy; Modified Yoga Plus Conventional Rehabilitation

Modified Yoga Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Modified Yoga Therapy was administered for 20 minutes per session, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The program included Sukshmakriya, wheelchair-adapted Hastauttanasana, Padahastasana, Ardhmatsyendrasana, Garudasana, Ardhachandrasana, Anulom Vilom Pranayama, and Savasana relaxation.

Modified Yoga Plus Conventional Rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants with operated traumatic thoracic spinal cord injury at levels T1-T12.
• Participants who had completed Tilt Table Mobilization with weight-bearing permission from the orthopedic surgeon.
• Participants classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale Grade A or Grade B.

You may not qualify if:

• Participants with associated chest, rib, or abdominal trauma. Participants who had undergone recent secondary surgeries. Participants with cardiopulmonary diseases. Participants with autonomic dysreflexia.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Government (CL&SC) Spine Institute and Hospital, Ahmedabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

Government (CL&SC) Spine Institute and Hospital

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380016, India

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants were assigned to one of two parallel treatment groups. The experimental group received Conventional Physical Rehabilitation Therapy (CPRT) combined with Modified Yoga Therapy (MYT), while the control group received CPRT alone. Both groups underwent the intervention for four weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 21, 2026
• First Posted: September 25, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2015
• Primary Completion: October 25, 2016
• Study Completion: November 30, 2016
• Last Updated: September 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IN (1)