Can yoga ease severe headaches? small pilot study aims to find out
NCT ID NCT07292090
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This pilot study is testing whether yoga-based movements, done online or in person, can help people with chronic migraine or cluster headache. Twenty adults aged 18-65 will participate. The goal is to see if yoga improves headache frequency, sleep quality, and overall well-being when added to standard care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- yoga-based movements
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a gentle, low-cost complementary therapy to help people with severe headaches feel better and sleep more soundly.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 20 participants and no comparison group, so results may not apply widely. The effect on headache frequency is uncertain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jan 2026
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed chronic migraine and/or cluster (Hortons) headache * Men and women 18-65 years * Diagnosed with chronic/high frequency migraine (≥15 headache days/month with at least ≥8 with migraine) * Diagnosed with chronic cluster head ache (i.e shorter remission than 3 months per year), diagnosed according to ICHD-III criteria. * Ability to perform yoga based moments and to give consent. * Internet connection with computer/ipad/mobile to perform digitally/tele-health instructions Exclusion Criteria: * Recent or planned operations during the last 6 weeks * Drug dependence, alcohol dependence, mental disorders as psychosis, bipolar disorder, anxiety as PTSD etc) * Parallel enrollment in other clinical trails * Unmedicated high blood pressure, heart disease as heart failure * Non Swedish speaking * Not able to perform low intensity exercise at home or FTF (face to face) - both online or live. * Participants unsure to participate due to drug addiction or other causes * Disorientation and not able to inform regarding other serious conditions
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Karolinska Institutet
Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden
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