Abstract
Abstract
Background: Yoga research has increased dramatically in recent years with many studies revealing support for its use in various mental and physical health conditions. Yoga may be a helpful adjunctive therapy in addiction treatment, however factors that support its utility in substance users with comorbidities are still under investigation.
Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of yoga in a public hospital setting in individuals with substance and polysubstance use disorders in the context of psychosis or other morbidities. The effects of yoga were evaluated on mindfulness, emotional regulation, cravings, negative and positive affect and four quality of life domains (physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment). Method: A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design involving 151 adult male and female participants receiving treatment for problematic substance use self-selected to either the yoga or control group. Participants in the yoga group attended 12 sessions of yoga over 4 to 8 weeks in addition to regular rehabilitation activities; the control group received the standard rehabilitation program only. All variables were assessed at baseline, completion and 4-week follow-up. Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to evaluate yoga and time effects on each of the dependent variables.
Results: The yoga group reported significant improvements in emotional regulation, quality of life
(physical health) and a reduction in cravings (this effect was maintained at follow-up). Cravings reduced for controls however this effect occurred by follow-up only. The control group reported a decrease in quality of life (physical health) and significantly lower levels of mindfulness between baseline and completion, resulting in higher mindfulness in the yoga group. There were no significant effects for the quality of life domains psychological health, social relationships and environment or for positive and negative affect.
Conclusion: There were no negative effects as a result of yoga participation. Yoga may be beneficial in improving certain aspects of psychological and physical health that support recovery for people with comorbid substance use and psychotic disorders. Larger sample sizes at completion and follow-up might have led to different outcomes. Challenges that arise within this patient population may have influenced patient responding, as well as unforeseen study limitations (i.e., COVID-19), making replication necessary. This research provides early support for the use of yoga amongst people with problematic substance use, psychosis and other morbidities in an involuntary public hospital setting.
Background: Yoga research has increased dramatically in recent years with many studies revealing support for its use in various mental and physical health conditions. Yoga may be a helpful adjunctive therapy in addiction treatment, however factors that support its utility in substance users with comorbidities are still under investigation.
Objective: This study investigated the efficacy of yoga in a public hospital setting in individuals with substance and polysubstance use disorders in the context of psychosis or other morbidities. The effects of yoga were evaluated on mindfulness, emotional regulation, cravings, negative and positive affect and four quality of life domains (physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment). Method: A quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group design involving 151 adult male and female participants receiving treatment for problematic substance use self-selected to either the yoga or control group. Participants in the yoga group attended 12 sessions of yoga over 4 to 8 weeks in addition to regular rehabilitation activities; the control group received the standard rehabilitation program only. All variables were assessed at baseline, completion and 4-week follow-up. Repeated measures analysis of covariance was used to evaluate yoga and time effects on each of the dependent variables.
Results: The yoga group reported significant improvements in emotional regulation, quality of life
(physical health) and a reduction in cravings (this effect was maintained at follow-up). Cravings reduced for controls however this effect occurred by follow-up only. The control group reported a decrease in quality of life (physical health) and significantly lower levels of mindfulness between baseline and completion, resulting in higher mindfulness in the yoga group. There were no significant effects for the quality of life domains psychological health, social relationships and environment or for positive and negative affect.
Conclusion: There were no negative effects as a result of yoga participation. Yoga may be beneficial in improving certain aspects of psychological and physical health that support recovery for people with comorbid substance use and psychotic disorders. Larger sample sizes at completion and follow-up might have led to different outcomes. Challenges that arise within this patient population may have influenced patient responding, as well as unforeseen study limitations (i.e., COVID-19), making replication necessary. This research provides early support for the use of yoga amongst people with problematic substance use, psychosis and other morbidities in an involuntary public hospital setting.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Awarding Institution |
|
| Supervisors/Advisors |
|
| Place of Publication | Australia |
| Publisher | |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |