Yoga-based Group Therapy for In-patients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (YING)
Psychotic Disorders
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Psychotic Disorders
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- male and female participants
- treated as psychiatric inpatients at the psychosis - or social-psychiatric day ward
- between 18 and 65 years of age
- diagnosis of a schizophrenia-spectrum disorder according to the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual 5th edition) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems(ICD-10) code F2
- ability to give informed consent
- willingness and ability to engage in psychotherapeutic group therapy
- low to moderate psychotic state indicated with a score of < 6 for each item at the Positive scale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS, Peralta & Cuesta, 1994)
Exclusion Criteria:
- a score ≥ 6, suggesting an acute psychotic episode with severe psychotic symptoms (Peralta& Cuesta, 1994)
- acute suicidality, assessed by item eight of the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia > 1 (Addington, Addington, Maticka-Tyndale, & Joyce, 1992)
- any neurological disorders that may affect cognitive functioning
- acute substance abuse other than nicotine and prescribed medication
Sites / Locations
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin FranklinRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Yoga-based Group Therapy
Treatment as usual (TAU)
The yoga-based group therapy (YBGT) involves a four-week intervention with weekly group therapy sessions in addition to TAU. The fifty-minute session takes place with a group size of max. 10 participants and was held once a week by a psychologist who is experienced in yoga-based therapy. A yoga session starts with breathing exercises (pranayama), followed by various exercises in standing, sitting and lying down (asanas), which are accompanied by mindful instructions from the psychologist. Every yoga session ends with a final relaxation (shavasana), which can take the form of a body scan, for example.
Treatment as usual (TAU) at the ward consists of a variety of daily activity groups the patients can choose from. Every patient at the ward receives a daily schedule depending on individual needs for therapy. The therapies offered at the ward include occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychoeducative groups, and concentration practice of two levels, all not related to mindfulness interventions. In addition to the group activities at the ward, every patient receives individual psychotherapy sessions at least once a week, held by a certified psychiatrist or psychologist. Psychopharmacological treatment is provided by the physicians, and social workers are available in order to support patients in managing their everyday lives after the stationary treatment. Weekly group meetings at the ward, together with the treating physicians, psychotherapists, social workers and the respective patient, foster the exchange success and possible improvements of the treatment.