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Emotion regulation as a primary mechanism of action in yoga interventions for chronic low back pain: An RCT testing biological and psychological pathways

Award Number: R01AT010555
ORGANIZATION: CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH, NIH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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Emotion regulation as a primary mechanism of action in yoga interventions for chronic low back pain: An RCT testing biological and psychological pathways - Abstract Yoga has been shown to have consistent but modest effects in reducing pain and improving function in populations with chronic low back pain (CLBP) in multiple randomized controlled trials. Reviews and practice guidelines support yoga as an evidence-based treatment for CLBP with at least moderate benefit and yoga is being increasingly applied as an integrative therapy. However, the mechanisms through which yoga exerts clinical improvements on pain severity and interference have not been identified; such identification might lead to optimizing yoga interventions to improve their potency. To identify underlying mechanisms associated with yoga interventions (PA 18-323) and based on a comprehensive theoretical emotion regulation model of yoga developed by the PI, we aim to test emotion regulation as a primary mechanism of yoga's effects, and to test biological pathways through which yoga's effects on increased adaptive emotion regulation may operate to affect pain-related functioning. Emotions strongly influence perceptions of pain intensity and predict disability, particularly among individuals with CLBP, and interventions that promote emotion regulation skills have been shown to reduce pain. Increasing evidence demonstrates that consistent yoga practice can promote improved emotion regulation, but research has not yet tested whether the effects of yoga practice on CLBP are due to improvements in emotion regulation. To examine this issue, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial of 204 people with CLBP assessed pre-intervention, 6 weeks, post-intervention and at 3- and 6-month follow-up to test the impact of a yoga intervention on emotion regulation relative to stretching/strengthening without meditation or breathwork. Secondarily, we will also assess whether yoga's effects on CLBP (improved pain severity and functioning) are mediated by changes in emotion regulation. We also examine whether the link between emotion regulation and pain severity and functioning is moderated or mediated by pain sensitization, effects that have been theorized and/or demonstrated to account for changes in pain, thereby testing emotion regulation as a key mechanism underlying the clinical effects of yoga on CLBP.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $635,485 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	001	5	4/24/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$583,610
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	002	5	8/23/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$51,875
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	4	3/14/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $635,485

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $654,587 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	4	5/31/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$654,587
														Subtotal = $654,587

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $656,450 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	3	5/11/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$656,450
														Subtotal = $656,450

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $551,558 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	2	6/16/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$551,558
														Subtotal = $551,558

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $573,584 )
2020	2020	UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT	438 WHITNEY RD EXTENSION UNIT 1133	STORRS	CT	06269	CAPITOL	USA	Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health	000	1	5/28/2020	NEW	$573,584
														Subtotal = $573,584

Grand Total All Awards = $3,071,664

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Emotion regulation as a primary mechanism of action in yoga interventions for chronic low back pain: An RCT testing biological and psychological pathways

Award Number: R01AT010555

ORGANIZATION: CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH, NIH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 06/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 05/31/2026

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