Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Fascial Yoga in Menopausal Women

100 participantsStarted 2026-07-01

Plain-language summary

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a structured fascial yoga-based behavioral intervention on perceived stress, cognitive control, and cognitive flexibility in menopausal women. The study aims to determine whether a non-pharmacological and non-invasive behavioral intervention can support psychological and cognitive functioning and reduce perceived stress in menopausal women. Design: This study is designed as a randomized controlled, pretest-posttest experimental study with a post-intervention follow-up assessment. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group receiving usual care. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at follow-up to evaluate both the immediate and sustained effects of the intervention. Method: A total of 100 menopausal women aged 45-65 years will be recruited from the menopause outpatient clinic and randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group will participate in a 12-week online fascial yoga program consisting of two 60-minute sessions per week. In this study, fascial yoga is defined as a fascia-focused, non-pharmacological, and non-invasive behavioral intervention that includes myofascial release techniques, breath regulation, body awareness, and basic yoga practices to support stress regulation and cognitive functioning. The program will include myofascial release techniques, basic yoga postures suitable for all physical fitness levels, and structured breathing exercises. All sessions will be conducted online in a group format, and no audio or video recordings will be taken. The control group will continue to receive routine outpatient care during the study period. After completion of the follow-up assessments, the fascial yoga program will be offered to participants in the control group upon request. Data will be collected at three time points: at baseline before the intervention, immediately after completion of the 12-week intervention, and at the follow-up assessment 8 weeks after the intervention. Perceived stress, cognitive control, and cognitive flexibility will be assessed using validated self-report questionnaires. Hypotheses: H1: Menopausal women participating in the fascial yoga intervention will show a significant reduction in perceived stress levels compared with the control group at post-intervention and follow-up assessments. H2: Menopausal women participating in the fascial yoga intervention will show a significant improvement in cognitive control and cognitive flexibility compared with the control group at post-intervention and follow-up assessments.

Who can participate

Age range

45 Years – 65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Female participants aged 45-65 years * In the menopausal period, defined as at least 12 months since the last menstrual period * Able to read and understand Turkish and to complete self-report questionnaires Exclusion Criteria: * Current or past diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder or ongoing psychiatric treatment * Regular use of antidepressant, anxiolytic, or corticosteroid medications * History of cancer or currently receiving active oncological treatment * Participation in facial yoga or similar yoga-based programs within the past 6 months * Any medical condition that may prevent safe participation in mild physical activity * Incomplete attendance to intervention sessions or incomplete outcome data during the study period

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial is testing a specific type of yoga called 'fascial yoga' for menopausal women — can you explain what fascial yoga is and whether there's any existing evidence that it might help with stress or cognitive changes during menopause?
2Since the trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' it may be some time before it actually starts enrolling — in the meantime, are there other non-drug approaches for managing menopause-related stress that I could try now while we wait to see if this becomes an option?
3The trial is measuring both perceived stress levels and something called cognitive control and flexibility — are the kinds of stress and thinking difficulties I'm experiencing actually what this trial is designed to address, or might my symptoms need a different approach?
4This study is a randomized controlled trial, which means I could be assigned to a control group rather than the yoga group — can you help me understand what being in the control group might mean for my care during the study period?
5Are there standard treatments or well-established non-pharmacological options already available for menopausal stress and cognitive changes that might be worth trying before considering enrollment in a trial that hasn't started yet?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Perceived Stress Level

Timeframe: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (12 weeks), and 8 weeks post-intervention follow-up

Cognitive Control and Flexibility

Timeframe: Baseline, immediately post-intervention (12 weeks), and 8 weeks post-intervention follow-up

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07401810

SponsorMarmara University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-09-01

Contact for this trial

Ayşe Eminoğlu, RN, MSc, PhD Candidate

+905415998795 ayse.eminoglu@marmara.edu.tr

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Menopause trials