The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Yoga on Psychological Well-Being and Happiness in Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Aysel A. Özdemir, Funda Kavak Budak
Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine July 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/27683605261469654 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 96 |
| Population | Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in two Community Mental Health Centers in Malatya, Türkiye |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based yoga program |
| Duration | 6-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Happiness Randomized controlled trial Intervention counseling Psychological well-being Mental health Psychological intervention Physical therapy Clinical psychology |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based yoga significantly improved psychological well-being and happiness in individuals with schizophrenia compared to routine care. |
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.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 6
- The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training on Hope, Psychological Well-Being, and Functional Recovery in Patients with Schizophrenia Clinical Nursing Research August 12, 2021
- Effects of Mindfulness Yoga vs Stretching and Resistance Training Exercises on Anxiety and Depression for People With Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Neurology July 1, 2019
- Role of Yoga and Mindfulness in Severe Mental Illnesses: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Yoga 2019
- Mindfulness and avoidance mediate the relationship between yoga practice and anxiety. Complementary Therapies in Medicine October 2018
- Mindfulness-based yoga intervention for women with depression. Complementary Therapies in Medicine June 2016
and 1 more in the library