Yoga therapy as an add-on treatment in the management of patients with schizophrenia--a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of schizophrenia has remained unsatisfactory despite the availability of antipsychotics. This study examined the efficacy of yoga therapy (YT) as an add-on treatment to the ongoing antipsychotic treatment.


METHODS
Sixty-one moderately ill schizophrenia patients were randomly assigned to YT (n = 31) and physical exercise therapy (PT; n = 30) for 4 months. They were assessed at baseline and 4 months after the start of intervention, by a rater who was blind to their group status.


RESULTS
Forty-one subjects (YT = 21; PT = 20) were available at the end of 4 months for assessment. Subjects in the YT group had significantly less psychopathology than those in the PT group at the end of 4 months. They also had significantly greater social and occupational functioning and quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Both non-pharmacological interventions contribute to reduction in symptoms, with YT having better efficacy.
Duraiswamy
G
G
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and NeuroSciences, Bangalore 560029, India.
Thirthalli
J
J
Nagendra
H R
HR
Gangadhar
B N
BN
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015013:Yoga
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents