Research Category: Yoga & Mindfulness for Concussion, TBI, Stroke and Neurological Conditions
YOGA-FIT: Protocol for a Crossover Trial Investigating the Feasibility and Impact of Virtual and In-person Yoga for People with Late Subacute & Chronic Stroke
First study designed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of adapting LoveYourBrain Yoga for people living with stroke, while directly comparing virtual and in-person delivery
Journal: Submitted to Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair (protocol)
Year: 2026
Authors: Abigail Derow, Janice J. Eng, Courtney Pollock, Sorayya Askari, Kyla Z. Donnelly, et al.
People living with stroke often experience persistent challenges with walking, balance, fatigue, cognition, anxiety, depression, and overall quality of life long after formal rehabilitation has ended. While LoveYourBrain Yoga has demonstrated promising results for people with traumatic brain injury and multiple sclerosis, it has not yet been evaluated exclusively among people with stroke.
This protocol describes the YOGA-FIT study, a randomized crossover pilot trial that will examine whether both virtual and in-person LoveYourBrain Yoga are feasible, safe, and potentially effective for adults living with stroke. Researchers will also compare participant experiences across both formats to help determine the best approach for expanding access to community-based rehabilitation in Canada.
Summary
Key Findings
Because this is a study protocol, results are not yet available. Researchers aim to determine whether:
✔ LoveYourBrain Yoga can be safely adapted for people living with stroke.
✔ Both virtual and in-person programs are feasible to deliver across multiple communities.
✔ Participants experience improvements in balance, walking, mobility, anxiety, depression, fatigue, cognition, sleep, pain, and quality of life.
✔ Virtual delivery can expand access for people who face transportation, geographic, or mobility barriers.
✔ Participant feedback will help optimize the program before launching a larger national clinical trial.
Study Details
Mixed-methods randomized crossover pilot trial
Approximately 40 adults living with late subacute or chronic stroke (at least three months post-stroke)
Conducted across four sites in Nova Scotia
Participants randomized to complete:
Virtual LoveYourBrain Yoga followed by in-person yoga, or
In-person yoga followed by virtual yoga
Six-week intervention in each format separated by a 12-week washout period
Twice-weekly 90-minute live classes plus one weekly recorded home practice
Classes include breathwork, adapted yoga, meditation, psychoeducation, and group discussion
Weekly health tracking through a custom smartphone app
Qualitative interviews following study completion to understand participant experiences and recommendations.
Impact and Conclusions
Although the study has not yet reported results, it represents an important next step in expanding evidence-based rehabilitation beyond traumatic brain injury. The protocol builds directly on previous LoveYourBrain research by adapting the program for stroke survivors while evaluating whether virtual delivery can make rehabilitation more accessible without compromising quality.
If successful, this pilot will inform a larger multicenter randomized controlled trial and could support broader implementation of LoveYourBrain Yoga within stroke rehabilitation programs across Canada and beyond.
What this means for you
LoveYourBrain Yoga continues to evolve as researchers explore how the program can support people living with a variety of neurological conditions. This study is designed to determine whether the same evidence-based approach used successfully for TBI and multiple sclerosis can also benefit people recovering from stroke—and whether virtual delivery can help bring high-quality rehabilitation to more people, regardless of where they live.
Frequently Asked
Questions
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Stroke and traumatic brain injury share many long-term challenges, including difficulties with balance, mobility, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and community participation. Because LoveYourBrain Yoga has shown promising results for other neurological conditions, researchers are now investigating whether it can be safely adapted to meet the unique needs of people with stroke.
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Not everyone can attend in-person rehabilitation due to transportation challenges, mobility limitations, or living in rural communities. This study will compare both formats to determine whether virtual LoveYourBrain Yoga provides similar benefits while expanding access to care. Researchers also want to understand which format participants prefer and whether one leads to better participation or satisfaction.
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The study will evaluate a broad range of outcomes, including balance, walking speed, mobility, anxiety, depression, pain, sleep, fatigue, cognition, quality of life, and participant satisfaction. Researchers will also examine how these outcomes change over time and gather participant feedback through interviews after the program ends.
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Protocol papers are an important part of the scientific process because they publicly describe exactly how a study will be conducted before results are known. Publishing the protocol promotes transparency, reduces bias, and allows other researchers to evaluate and replicate the methods. This study also demonstrates that LoveYourBrain continues to invest in rigorous clinical research to expand access to evidence-informed rehabilitation for people living with neurological conditions.
LoveYourBrain programs based on this study
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