MsFLASH02: Interventions for Relief of Menopausal Symptoms: A 3-by-2 Factorial Design Examining Yoga, Exercise, and Omega-3 Supplementation

This study is the second clinical trial to be conducted by the Menopause Strategies -
Finding Lasting Answers for Symptoms and Health (MsFLASH) research network, a group of
investigators conducting clinical trials designed to find new ways to alleviate the most
common, bothersome symptoms of the menopausal transition.

In this twelve-week clinical trial, 374 women aged 40-62 who are in the late menopausal
transition or postmenopausal and experiencing bothersome hot flashes will be randomized to
one of three behavioral intervention groups: yoga, exercise, or usual activity. All women
will simultaneously be randomized to receive omega-3 supplementation or a matching placebo.

The primary aims of this trial are to compare the magnitude of changes in perceived,
self-reported frequency and bother of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) before and after the
intervention between yoga and the usual activity comparison group, between exercise and the
usual activity comparison group, and between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation or placebo.
The hypotheses to be tested are:

1. Women assigned to yoga will report lower frequency and less VMS bother than women
assigned to the usual activity group at the end of a 12-week study period.

2. Women assigned to aerobic exercise at moderate-vigorous intensity will report lower
frequency and less VMS bother than women assigned to the usual activity group at the
end of a 12-week study period.

3. Women assigned to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation will report lower frequency and
less VMS bother than women assigned to the placebo group at the end of a 12-week study
period.

The omega-3 component of the study is double-blinded. For yoga, exercise, and usual
activity, the outcomes assessors are blinded to the randomization assignments.