Effects of Weekly One-Hour Hatha Yoga Therapy on Resilience and Stress Levels in Patients with Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders: An Eight-Week Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objective: To examine the effects of Hatha yoga therapy on resilience, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and salivary alpha amylase (SAA) activity in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. Design and participants: Single-blinded, randomized controlled study in which outpatients with schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders (according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) were randomly assigned to a yoga or a control group. Setting: November 2012–April 2013 at Yamanashi Prefectural Kita Hospital, Japan. Interventions: In the yoga group, patients received weekly 1-hour Hatha yoga sessions, in addition to regular treatment, for 8 weeks. Those in the control group underwent regular treatment, which included a daycare rehabilitation program. Outcome measures: Assessments included the 25-item Resilience Scale (RS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), plasma and salivary BDNF level, and SAA activity. Results: Fifty patients participated (25 in ...