Yoga Internet Survey in FibromyalgiaA K23 SubprojectPresented by: Scott D. Mist, PhD, MAcOMDate: September 2012

Statement of Conflict

• I have no conflicts of interest to declare with this presentation

This presentation was made possible by grant number 1K23AT006392 from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NCCAM.

Background and Purpose

• Fibromyalgia (FM) is a debilitating condition affecting 11-15 million persons in the U.S.

• FDA indicated drug therapies are generally only 30% effective in relieving symptoms and 20% effective in improving function. Multiple position statements recommend that medications be accompanied by exercise and coping skills approaches.

Background and Purpose

• Yoga is a mind/body discipline which may fulfill the need for both exercise and coping skills components of FM treatment.

• The purpose of this study was to survey a range of FM patients in their home settings in many different regions to inquire about the extent of their engagement in yoga practices, perceived benefits, and obstacles to further practice.

Methods

• 16 question internet survey

• SurveyMonkey.com

• Persons self-identified as FM patients

• Subscribers to one of two electronic FM newsletters (Fibromyalgia Network eNews Alert, Fibromyalgia Information Foundation newsletter).

Methods

6710 Subscribers

4,658 Opened Invitation

• 69%

2543 Responded

• 38%

Demographics

• All 50 states represented

• Also included responders from Canada (n=112), Australia (n=35), the United Kingdom (n=11), and <10 responses each from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Puerto Rico, Oman, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and United Arab Emirates.

Interest in and Experience with Yoga

• 80% have considered yoga

• 56% have attended at least one class– 33% attended 1-4 classes– 16% attended 4-8 classes– 11% attended 9-12 classes– 40% attended more than 12 classes

Interest in and Experience with Yoga PracticesGenerally the classes were described as:• Beginner’s• Level 1• Gentle• Restorative• And lasted 45-60 minutes

Classes focused on yoga poses with minimal or no training in meditation, breathing techniques or other yoga practices

Perceived Benefits of Yoga

• Stiffness better (79%)

• Relaxation (75%)

• Balance better (60%)

• Movement easier (58%)

• Peaceful feeling (58%)

• Stress reduction (57%)

• Improved outlook (51%)

• Strength improves (49%)

• Pain reduction (48%)

• Breathing easier (37%)

• Sleep better (33%)

Perceived Obstacles to Yoga Practices

Perceived Obstacles to Yoga Practice

• Poses too physically demanding (78%)• Poses cause too much pain during class (64%)• Poses cause too much pain after class (63%)• Teachers don’t offer ways to modify poses for

pain-related difficulties (45%)• Teachers don’t ask about student pain-related

difficulties (45%)• Worry about not doing poses correctly (35%)

Conclusions

• There is a strong interest in yoga across geographically diverse population

• Those with fibromyalgia are finding improvements in classes offered in community

• However, there are still barriers to participation

• This study supports the need for yoga programs tailored for those with fibromyalgia

STAGES OF RESEARCH AND FUNDING

WARNING: This is the opinion part of the program!

Stages of Funding and Goals

• PhD– Graduate!– Survey of methods– Prove that you understand basics

• Post Doctoral Research– Foray into research– Find your area

• Early Career Award– Separate from your mentor– Develop collaborators– Build preliminary data

• R01 and Beyond!– Distinguish your area and build line of research

Funding Rates at NINR in 2011

Early Career• K01 – 44.4%• K23 – 20.0%• K99 – 22.2%

Mid Career• 100%

Acknowledgements

• OHSU Medical Research Foundation• Fibromyalgia Information Foundation• Fibromyaglia Network

and• National Center for Complementary and

Alternative Medicine/NIH (1K23AT006392)