The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Yoga on Psychological Well-Being and Happiness in Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A 6-week mindfulness-based yoga program improved psychological well-being and happiness in people diagnosed with schizophrenia. In a randomized controlled trial, 96 participants from two community mental health centers in Türkiye were assigned to either a yoga group (12 sessions over 6 weeks) or a control group receiving routine care. After the program, the yoga group scored significantly higher on psychological well-being (36.50 vs. 12.86) and happiness (21.44 vs. 10.58) compared to the control group. No adverse events occurred. The findings suggest mindfulness-based yoga is a promising complementary intervention, though larger and longer studies are needed.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a mindfulness-based yoga program on psychological well-being and happiness in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted between February and August 2024 in two Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) located in Malatya, Türkiye. Ninety-six individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a mindfulness-based yoga group ( n = 48) or a control group ( n = 48). The intervention group participated in a 6-week mindfulness-based yoga program consisting of 12 sessions, while the control group received routine CMHC care only. Outcome measures included the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWB) and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire Short Form (OHQ-SF). Three participants in the intervention group withdrew consent during follow-up, and two participants in the control group were lost to follow-up. The final analyses included 45 participants in the mindfulness-based yoga group and 46 participants in the control group. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups at baseline ( p > 0.05). Following the intervention, participants in the mindfulness-based yoga group demonstrated significantly higher psychological well-being scores (36.50 ± 4.57 vs. 12.86 ± 3.69, p < 0.001) and happiness scores (21.44 ± 3.55 vs. 10.58 ± 5.64, p < 0.001) compared with the control group. Within-group analyses also showed significant improvements in psychological well-being and happiness in the intervention group ( p < 0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. No intervention-related adverse events or safety concerns were reported during the study period. Conclusions: Mindfulness-based yoga appears to be a promising complementary intervention for improving psychological well-being and happiness among individuals with schizophrenia. Further multicenter randomized controlled trials with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.