Development and feasibility of yoga therapy module for out-patients with depression in India

• Published in: Indian journal of psychiatry 2013-07, Vol.55 (7), p.350-356
• Main Authors: Naveen, G, Rao, M, Vishal, V, Thirthalli, J, Varambally, S, Gangadhar, B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Care and treatment; Depression, Mental; Health aspects; Mental depression; Methods; Original; Psychiatry; Psychological aspects; Yoga
• ISSN: 0019-5545; 1998-3794
• DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.116305

Context: Evidence suggests that certain yoga practices are useful in the management of depression. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no study that deals with the formulation of a yoga module for the particular clinical features of depression. Aim: The main aim of our study was to develop a comprehensive yoga therapy module targeting specific clinical features of depression. Settings and Design: Specific yoga practices were matched for clinical features of depression based on a thorough literature review. A yoga program was developed, which consisted of Sukṣmavyayāma, (loosening exercises), äsanas (postures), relaxation techniques, Prāṇāyāma (breathing exercises) and chanting meditation to be taught in a 2 week period. Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was developed for validation from nine experienced yoga professionals. The final version of yoga therapy module was pilot-tested on seven patients (five females) with depression recruited from outpatient service of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore. Results: The final yoga therapy module had those practices that received a score of three or more (moderately/very much/extremely useful) from all responders. Six out of nine (>65%) experts suggested Sūkśmavyāyāma should be included. Five out of nine experts opined that training with 10 sessions (over 2 weeks) is rather short. All experts opined that the module is easy to teach, learn and practice. At the pilot stage, the five patients who completed the module reported more than 80% satisfaction about the yoga practices and how the yoga was taught. Severity of depression substantially reduced at both 1 and 3 months follow-up. Conclusion: The developed comprehensive yoga therapy module was validated by experts in the field and was found to be feasible and useful in patients with depression.