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Does Yoga Have a Role in Schizophrenia Management?

  • SCHIZOPHRENIA AND OTHER PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS (AK PANDURANGI, SECTION EDITOR)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To review the efficacy of add-on yoga therapy in improving symptoms of schizophrenia and quality of life and examine the possible underlying biological mechanisms of yoga in schizophrenia.

Recent Findings

Quality of life, cognitive symptoms, and negative symptoms have been found to improve with add-on yoga therapy in schizophrenia (pooled mean effect size 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4, respectively). Yoga also seems to have a small effect on improving positive symptoms. Less explored areas include adverse effects of yoga itself as well as its effects on antipsychotic-induced complications. Preliminary findings suggest that the effects of yoga may be mediated by neurohormonal mechanisms and functional changes in brain activity.

Summary

Add-on yoga therapy is a potential treatment option for improving quality of life, cognitive symptoms, and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Future studies should explore efficacy in multicentric trials as well as possible neurobiological changes underlying the effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Consciousness Studies, Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India

    Ramajayam Govindaraj

  2. Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India

    Shivarama Varambally

  3. Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, 560029, India

    Shivarama Varambally, Naren P. Rao, Ganesan Venkatasubramanian & Bangalore N. Gangadhar

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  1. Ramajayam Govindaraj
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  2. Shivarama Varambally
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  3. Naren P. Rao
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  4. Ganesan Venkatasubramanian
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  5. Bangalore N. Gangadhar
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Correspondence to Shivarama Varambally.

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Govindaraj, R., Varambally, S., Rao, N.P. et al. Does Yoga Have a Role in Schizophrenia Management?. Curr Psychiatry Rep 22, 78 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01199-4

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