Application Form

Yoga vs. Osteoporosis Dose-Response Study

General Information, Requirements and Application Form

Thank you for your interest in Dr. Fishman’s Dose-Response Study examining the effects of yoga on osteoporosis. The study is ongoing and accepting new participants.  

In brief, study participants do the following: 

1.  Participate for two years.
2. Aim to practice the poses daily.  A video of the poses in Series 1 may be viewed on YouTube here
3. Record data each week in our online database about which poses they did that week and how long they held them. Participants record data using the online forms that we provide.  Other methods of record-keeping are not acceptable.
4. At the end of the two-year period, provide the results of another DEXA scan.

Please note that the study is unfunded and in order to participate, there is a cost to see a yoga teacher trained and certified in Dr. Fishman’s method, OR study participants can choose to study with Dr. Fishman via his online group class on Zoom (Tuesdays, 5:30 PM ET) free of charge.  Participants must be available to attend live in order to receive feedback.  Attending solely via recordings is not permitted. 

While yoga is best taught in-person, Dr. Fishman’s online group class on Zoom (Tuesdays, 5:30 PM ET) may be used to fulfill the requirement that participants study with a certified teacher twice a month.  This online group class is free to study participants who select Dr. Fishman as their teacher, and who maintain their good standing by regularly entering weekly data about their yoga practice using the online forms that we provide.  Study participants are expected to participate in two classes per month for the duration of the two-year study.

Following please find the list of Application Requirements:

1. Complete Application.  Required Labs are listed.  All participants must have BOTH of the DEXA scans, as described below.   However, people who do not have osteopenia or osteoporosis do not need to have the blood tests or the urine test.  Review all of the information on this page prior to applying. To submit an online version of the application form, please click HERE to be re-directed to IntakeQ to begin the application process.  You will begin by entering your name and email.  Once you begin completing the online application form, you will be able to edit and save it, and return to it as needed until you are ready to submit it.  You will be able to upload your labs and the results of two dexa scans as part of your application.  The questions that you will be asked there are also listed at the bottom of this page. 
2. TWO DEXA reports.  Submit one DEXA scan report from within the past 6 months and another, previous DEXA scan one year or older. TWO DEXA scans are required to enter the study.  Your dexa results for both scans need to provide measurements in g/cm2.  T-scores alone are not sufficient.  You can attach the reports directly to your study application.
3. Practice the postures daily and to study with a certified teacher bi-monthly (2x a month for two years) from the Osteoporosis Teachers section of this website (see Teachers Tab). The teacher you select must have had at least five years experience teaching.  Alternatively, you can take Dr. Fishman’s online Zoom class on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM ET.  Please note that this study is unfunded and that there is a cost to see a certified teacher, (unless opting to participate in Dr. Fishman’s online group class).  The financial arrangement you make is entirely up to you and the teacher. Costs vary per teacher.  You may choose to video conference (Skype, Zoom, etc.) your visits. Over the course of the two-year period, you should have approximately 50 sessions with your teacher. 

This is a clinical study, so it is critical that relevant (bone building or resorbing) medicines remain unchanged during the entire study period. This period begins when you had the first DEXA scan one or more years ago, and will extend until you have your first DEXA following two years practicing the yoga. 

If you have begun or discontinued any relevant medicine after the DEXA scan you submitted to us from one or more years ago, unfortunately you cannot be in the study.

If you have been taking a medicine that either improves or resorbs bone from before the time you had the first DEXA a year or more ago, and are committed to continue taking it at least until the third DEXA scan is done, that is acceptable.  So long as these medicines are consistently held at a given level (or not at all), you are eligible for the study.  However, if you need to change one of these bone-active medicines during the study period, you must let us know.

Medications reported to build bone:

Bisphosphonates:

Fosamax (alendronate)

Binosto (alendronate)

Boniva (ibandronate)

Reclast (zoledronic acid)

Zometa (zoledronic acid)

Aclasta (zoledronic acid)

Prolia (denosumab)

Evista (raloxifine)

Atelvia (raloxifine)

Forteo (teriparatide)

Evenity (romosozumab)

Supplement:

Strontium

Medications reported to promote significant bone loss:

Steroids taken orally or injected such as cortisone and triamcinolone

Chemotherapeutic agents

Aromatase inhibitors

Summary:  All you need to do is keep taking all the relevant medications (or not taking them) from the first DEXA you submitted to the study until you’ve submitted your third DEXA.

Once your application, accompanying lab results, and two DEXA reports have been received, reviewed, approved, and processed, we will provide you with an online google form to track your weekly practice.  It takes at least two weeks to process a complete application.

By collecting all of your data and sending it to us in one packet you will assure faster processing and response.   

Required Lab Tests (done within 6 months of study entry).  If you do not have either osteopenia or osteoporosis, you do not need the blood or urine tests.  If you need a separate prescription to direct an independent lab such as Quest or Athena to conduct the proper tests, please email cara@sciatica.org Lab results may be uploaded with your application (preferred) or faxed to: Yoga Vs. Osteoporosis Study (212) 472-4127.

TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone)

PTH (Parathyroid hormone)

ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate)

CMP  (standard electrolyte, liver and kidney function tests)

Vitamin D 25 – OH

Vitamin D 1,25 – Dihydroxy

Urine NTX (a measure of reabsorbed collagen cross-linkages)

If any of the test results are abnormal, then you must see the appropriate specialist(s) and correct the value(s) before entering the study. 

Each applicant must also supply a current DEXA scan (done within 6 months of application), and a second DEXA performed at least one year in the past.  Results must show the g/cm measurements.  T-scores alone are not sufficient.

When we have received the application form, all of the laboratory reports, your TWO bone mineral density test (DEXA scans) reports, and, optionally, recent hip and lumbar spine X-rays, and once Dr. Fishman has reviewed them, and any abnormal values have been corrected, you will be inducted into the study.  

Please allow two weeks for processing. If there are questions, please email Loren@sciatica.org

Yoga vs. Osteoporosis Dose-Response Study Application Form

To submit an online version of the application form, please click HERE to be re-directed to IntakeQ to begin the application process.  You will begin by entering your name and email.  Once you begin completing the online application form, you will be able to edit and save it, and return to it as needed until you are ready to submit it.  The questions that you will be asked there are also listed below. You will be able to upload your labs and the results of two dexa scans as part of your application.

If you would prefer to print and fax your application, send it to: Yoga Vs. Osteoporosis Study (212) 472-4127.

Date_______________________________________ Name______________________________________ Phone______________________________________ Email_______________________________________ Address_____________________________________ ____________________________________________

Date of Birth__________________________________ Female/ Male?

Weigh____________ Height___________ Greatest Height_______Hysterectomy? Yes No

First monthly period_____/_____ Last monthly period_____/_____ Orchiectomy? Yes No

Do you take Calcium? Y N *Daily Dose________ Brand/Type______________

Date started ________________________

Do you take Vitamin D? Y N * Daily Dose_______ Brand/Type______________

Date started ________________________

Do you take Magnesium? Y N * Daily Dose______ Brand/Type______________

Date started ________________________

Other medicine for osteoporosis? Y N * Daily Dose_________ Brand/Type______________ Date started ________________________

Previous medicines for osteoporosis? Y N * Daily Dose_________ Brand/Type______________ Date started ________________________

Names, Dosage of all other medicines/supplements/vitamins: _________________ __________________________________________________________________

Exposed to Steroids? Y N Dosage and Dates___________________________

Birth Control? Y N Daily Dose_________ Brand/Type______________

Dates taken__________________________ Hormone Therapy? Y N Daily Dose_________ Brand/Type______________ Dates taken__________________________ Unusual Nutrition? (e.g., vegan for 20 years) ___________________________

History of Bone Fractures? _________________________________________

Yoga Practice? a. Years of Yoga______________________________________

Type of yoga (e.g., Vinyasa, Iyengar)___________________

c. How often and how long? (e.g., 1 x per week, 30 min/day_______________

d. How consistent? (e.g., never miss, miss every few weeks, skip weeks at a time, etc.) _____________________________________________

Other Exercise? What Type? (e.g., Swimming) ___________________________

a. How often? (e.g., 1 x per week) ___________________________

b. How long per session? ________________________________

c. How consistent? _____________________________________

Last DEXA scan_______________________

Last Hip/Lumbar X-rays_________________

Family History (Please mention any family history of osteoporosis): __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Medical Conditions, including hip and spine surgeries: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Comments: ________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

Attach your lab results, and two dexa scan results (one of which must be from within the last six months).  Please make every effort to submit a complete application.  _____________________________________________________________

If the results of any of the blood or urine studies are abnormal, Dr. Fishman will direct you to the proper type of physician to help bring your values in line. Once your values have returned to normal, you will be eligible to apply to be in the study.

N.B.  Dr. Fishman recommends, but does not require, that participants take the following supplements: