Integrating yoga with psychological group-treatment for mixed depression and anxiety in primary healthcare: An explorative pilot study. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jonsson, Gustav; Franzén, Lisa; Nyström, Markus B.T.; Davis, Paul A.
• Is Part Of: Complementary therapies in clinical practice. Volume 41(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Virya yoga -- Primary healthcare -- Compassion-focused therapy -- Mixed depression and anxiety -- Affect school -- Alexithymia; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; 615.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101250
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-3881

Abstract

Abstract: Background and purpose: Yoga has shown promise as a treatment for depression and anxiety. The present pilot study investigated the feasibility of an eight-week grouptreatment integrating emotion-focused psychoeducation, compassion-focused therapy, and Virya yoga for depression and anxiety in primary healthcare. Materials and methods: Patients seeking treatment for depression and anxiety in a primary healthcare centre completed either an integrative group-treatment (N = 14) or treatment as usual (TAU, N = 17). Outcome measures were analysed pre- and posttreatment. Correlations in the intervention group were investigated between treatment outcomes and amount of yoga practice between sessions. Results: Large within-group effect sizes on all outcome measures were found at posttreatment. Symptom reduction did not differ between groups (p = 0.155). Improvement in alexithymia correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with amount of yoga practice between sessions. Conclusion: Integrating yoga with a psychological group-treatment is a somewhat feasible approach to treatment for depression and anxiety in primary healthcare. Highlights: Combining yoga with psychological group-treatment for depression and anxiety shows promise in primary healthcare. Both treatment conditions provided similar improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depression. Reductions in alexithymia correlated with amount of yoga practice between sessions. Reductions in anxiety symptoms correlated with increased self-compassion.