A heuristic model linking yoga philosophy and self-reflection to examine underlying mechanisms of add-on yoga treatment in schizophrenia. (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rao, Naren; Menon, Sangeetha
• Is Part Of: International review of psychiatry. Volume 28:Number 3(2016:Jun.)
• Page Start: 265
• Page End: 272
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Schizophrenia -- samkhya philosophy -- functional magnetic resonance imaging -- self-reflection -- yoga; Mental illness -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2016.1194259
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0261

Abstract

Abstract: Preliminary evidence suggests efficacy of yoga as add-on treatment for schizophrenia, but the underlying mechanism by which yoga improves the symptoms of schizophrenia is not completely understood. Yoga improves self-reflection in healthy individuals, and self-reflection abnormalities are typically seen in schizophrenia. However, whether yoga treatment improves impairments in self-reflection typically seen in patients with schizophrenia is not examined. This paper discusses the potential mechanism of yoga in the treatment of schizophrenia and proposes a testable hypothesis for further empirical studies. It is proposed that self-reflection abnormalities in schizophrenia improve with yoga and the neurobiological changes associated with this can be examined using empirical behavioural measures and neuroimaging measures such as magnetic resonance imaging.