The effect of yoga on clinical insight and medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia - A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness characterized by symptoms including hearing voices or seeing objects that do not exist, weak emotional reactions, and inadequate social relations. Schizophrenia is a long-term disease that is usually treated with anti-psychotic drugs. However, medication alone is insufficient for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia and alternative methods are needed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect that yoga has on the clinical insight and medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC). The study was conducted using a pretest / posttest and a control group. There were 50 patients with schizophrenia who participated, including 25 in the intervention group and 25 in the control group. The patients in the intervention group participated in group yoga practices every weekday for 8 weeks. No intervention was applied to the control group, and they received the CMHC's routine care. The Descriptive Characteristics Form, Birchwood Insight Scale, and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale were used to collect data. Results: The difference between the pretest and posttest mean scores for the insight and medication adherence scales was statistically significant in the intervention group (p < 0.01). There was also a statistically significant difference between the control group and intervention group for the pretest-posttest total mean scores on the insight and medication adherence scales (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Yoga appeared to be effective for increasing medication adherence and clinical insight in patients with schizophrenia. It is recommended that yoga should be integrated within the rehabilitation period. © 2019