Recruiting

Yoga

Sponsor:

Caitlin Cheruka

Code:

NCT07638267

Conditions

Insomnia

Health Adult Subjects

Insomnia Disorder

Heart Health Markers

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 40

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Vinyasa yoga

Gentle yoga

Non-active control

Study Details

Brief summary:

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if yoga works to improve sleep and heart health in adults with and without insomnia disorder. The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does the style of yoga impact participants heart health overnight?
  • Does the style of yoga improve participants sleep following a single session? Researchers will compare adults with insomnia disorder to adults with healthy sleep .

Participants will:

  • Complete a moderate-intensity yoga practice, a low-intensity intensity yoga practice, and a quiet rest period while watching a nature documentary in the evening on three separate evenings
  • Participants will have their sleep and heart health measured using a watch and heart rate monitor overnight following each visit

Conditions

Insomnia

Health Adult Subjects

Insomnia Disorder

Heart Health Markers

Study ID

NCT07638267

Start date

Jun 1, 2026

Status verified date

Aug, 2026

Completion date

Sep, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Sep, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 40

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults 18-40 years
  • Insufficiently inactive define by the L-CAT (responses below public health physical activity guidelines)
  • Physical activity is not contraindicated (i.e., no affirmative responses on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+)
  • Adults with diagnosed insomnia disorder and score ≥ 10 on the Insomnia Severity Index
  • Good sleeps a score < 10 (no history of sleep disorder)
  • Basic understanding of yoga poses
  • Access to a smart device (such as a smartphone or tablet)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Regular yoga practice (> 60 minutes per week)
  • Any diagnosed medical condition requiring medical clearance determined 'Yes' response on questions pertaining to a present medical condition(s) via PAR-Q+. This includes, but is not limited to, uncontrolled cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, or mental health conditions; recent stroke or concussion; active cancer treatment; and any combination of medical conditions that pose a health risk without physician supervision. All "yes" responses on the PAR-Q+ will be evaluated, and individuals requiring clearance will not be eligible to participate.
  • Physical limitations and/or mobility restrictions (such as bone, joint, or soft tissue such as muscle, ligament, or tendon that could be made worse by becoming more physically active) via PAR-Q+
  • Untreated major psychiatric disorders (e.g. major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
  • Elevated risk for sleep apnea (i.e., STOP-Bang score ≥ 5)
  • Any other sleep disorders other than insomnia (e.g., sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm disorder, etc.)
  • Current treatment for insomnia (e.g., hypnotic medications, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, etc.)
  • Current medications that affect heart or blood pressure (i.e., anti-depressants, beta-blockers, etc.)
  • Current or planned pregnancy within the next 3 months
  • Overnight shift work defined as regularly working anytime between 00:00 and 6:00am

Study Design

Enrollment

42 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Crossover

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: vinyasa yoga

60 minute moderate-intensity yoga session

experimental: gentle yoga

60 minute low-intensity yoga session

other: Control Condition

60-minute non-active control condition

Interventions

Vinyasa yoga

Participants will follow a pre-recorded standardized sequence that includes a person demonstrating each sequence and provides verbal cues for the vinyasa yoga session. The 60-minute vinyasa yoga protocol incorporated standing, seated, and supine postures and included the following order of sequences: integration, sun salutations, crescent lunge series, balancing, standing, back bending, and restorative series.

Gentle yoga

Participants will follow a pre-recorded standardized sequence that includes a person demonstrating each sequence and provides verbal cues for the gentle yoga session. This sequence focuses primarily on seated and supine postures and is designed to be accessible, safe, and restorative. All poses are low-impact and supported using yoga blocks to promote comfort and reduce physical strain.

Non-active control

The non-active control session, participants will complete a quiet rest period while watching a nature documentary. The film is educational in nature and has been carefully selected to avoid any graphic, distressing, offensive, or psychologically sensitive content. It is commercially available and rated G for general audiences. Participants will be asked to remain seated and refrain from the use of electronic devices. A staff member will remain present to ensure participants following procedures.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in nocturnal root mean square of successive difference between normal heartbeats (RMSSD) heart rate variability (HRV) [ Time Frame: Overnight immediately after each experimental sessions (vinyasa yoga, gentle yoga, non-active control) for a total of 3 separate nights. ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Caitlin A. Cheruka, PhD

610-247-5030caitlin.cheruka@ucf.edu

Locations

University of Central Florida

Recruiting

Orlando, Florida, United States, 32816

Contacts

Caitlin A. Cheruka, PhD

610-247-5030caitlin.cheruka@ucf.edu

More Information

Sponsor

Caitlin Cheruka

Last update posted

Aug 13, 2026

Last verified

Aug, 2026

Keywords

  • sleep
  • insomnia
  • yoga
  • heart health
  • heart rate variability
  • actigraphy

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-10-14. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Caitlin Cheruka on 2026-08-13. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.