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PATH Trial for Examining Yoga as a Strategy to Improve Remote-Based Weight Loss in Adults: Protocol for a Randomized
Selene Y Tobin1,2,3, Sally Sherman4, Beth Bock2
1Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, 196 Richmond Street, Providence, RI, 02903, United States, 1 401 793 8966.
Background:
Over 70% of US adults are overweight or have obesity. Internet-delivered weight loss (IDWL) treatment overcomes many common barriers to in-person weight loss (WL) programs; yet, IDWLs underperform compared to in-person treatment. Yoga is a novel intervention that targets physical and psychological health and can be delivered virtually, increasing translation potential. Yoga has been understudied as an intervention to address barriers to WL despite favorable effects in other health disciplines. Preliminary studies suggest yoga to improve self-regulation and reduce lapses from dietary recommendations, 2 factors integral to long-term WL success.
Objective:
The aim of the study is to conduct the first fully powered randomized controlled trial to test the added effect of yoga to IDWL treatment on weight (primary outcome), dietary lapses, potential lapse triggers, and self-regulation mediator variables (secondary outcomes).
Methods:
Adults that are overweight or have obesity will be recruited to participate in a 12-month IDWL program. Following a 3-month assessment, eligible participants will be randomized to (1) a yoga intervention, including 14 weeks of group-based, virtual Iyengar yoga delivered twice weekly, followed by 22 weeks of yoga delivered once per week, and then 6 months of no contact, or (2) a contact-matched wellness comparison condition. Assessments will take place at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months. Several questionnaires, ecological momentary assessments, and objectively measured weight and accelerometry data will be collected. This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06166225).
Results:
This randomized trial was funded with an original project period of July 2023-June 2028. Enrollment began in February 2024 and is ongoing with the expectation of closing enrollment in June 2026.
Conclusions:
This trial will examine the combined effect of yoga and WL treatment among individuals with overweight or obesity and will be the first fully powered trial to assess the combination of virtually delivered yoga and WL beyond 6 months. Findings will inform whether yoga could be considered a valuable intervention component for improving IDWL treatment.
