Effect of integrated yoga on anti-psychotic induced side effects and cognitive functions in patients suffering from schizophrenia

Abstract

Background Twenty one (12 females) subjects, diagnosed with schizophrenia by a psychiatrist using ICD-10, in the ages 52.87 + 9.5 years and suffering since 24.0 ± 3.05 years were recruited into the study from a schizophrenia rehabilitation center in Bengaluru. Methods All subjects were taking anti-psychotic medications and were in stable state for more than a month. Psychiatric medications were kept constant during the study period. Assessments were done at three points of time: (1) baseline, (2) after one month of usual routine (pre) and (3) after five months of validated Integrated Yoga (IY) intervention (post). Validated 1 h Yoga module (consisting of asanas, pranayama, relaxation techniques and chantings) was practiced for 5 months, five sessions per week. Antipsychotic-induced side effects were assessed using Simpson Angus Scale (SAS) and Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) side effect rating scale. Cognitive functions (using Trail making Test A and B), clinical symptoms and anthropometry were assessed as secondary variables. Comparisons between "pre" and "post" data was done using paired samples t-tests after subtracting baseline scores from them respectively. Results At the end of five months, significant reduction in drug-induced Parkinsonian symptoms (SAS score; p=0.001) and 38 items of UKU scale was observed along with significant improvement in processing speed, executive functions and negative symptoms of schizophrenia patients. No side effects of Yoga were reported. Conclusions The present study provides preliminary evidence for usefulness of Integrated Yoga intervention in managing anti-psychotic-induced side effects.

Contributions of complementary therapies and other strategies to the treatment of schizophrenia: an integrative review

“…This study suggests that Yoga intervention for 5 months may be useful in reducing drug-induced parkinsonism and other side effects induced by antipsychotics (Verma, et al, 2018) Yoga as part of a package of care versus non-standard care for schizophrenia.…”

“…All of these results were achieved at the end of the study (5 months). Thus, a significant improvement in cognitive functions and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia can be seen (Verma, et al, 2018).…”

“…), with p = 0.035; other side effects (such as headache, skin rashes, pigmentation, etc. ), with p = 0.000 (Verma, et al, 2018).…”

“…Yoga was also used to treat side effects caused by antipsychotics (Verma, et al, 2018), with improvement of the main side problems: psychological (sleep, memory, concentration oneiric activity, etc. ), with p = 0.004; neurological effects (tone, stiffness, tremor, etc.…”

“…Furthermore, the existing evidence suggests a greater benefit from this complementary practice when compared to other treatments that do not use Yoga. Thus, when offering this type of intervention, it should be clarified whether it will be useful or not when compared to other modalities (Verma, 2018).…”