The study will evaluate the impact of yoga on health, specifically for individuals ages 18-65 with elevated or high blood pressure.
To be eligible, participants must have a resting systolic blood pressure ≥ 120 mmHg, not currently be involved in an exercise or yoga program, and not pregnant.
This study is a trial where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups:
The yoga intervention group will begin a remotely-delivered 12-week vinyasa yoga program (three 60-minute sessions per week via Zoom) upon completing baseline study steps
The control group will maintain their usual routine for 12-weeks.
Both groups will complete a follow-up assessment visit following the 12-week study period resulting in approximately 4.5 months of participation in this research project.
Participants must attend an initial Zoom consent session, complete two assessment visits at the Health Sciences Center within a 4.5-month period, possibly participate in a yoga familiarization session and attend the virtual yoga sessions.
Participants can earn up to $150 in Amazon gift cards for completing all aspects of the study.
Complete the informed consent identity verification.
The principal investigator is Bethany Barone Gibbs, and the study has been approved by the WVU IRB.
For more information, contact Alexis Thrower at yogaheart@hsc.wvu.edu or 681-214-1656.