Clinical Practice Guidelines for Yoga and Other Alternative Therapies for Patients with Mental Disorders.

Abstract

Demand of complementary and alternative (CAM) treatments has been increasing over a period of time. Some studies have reported that up to 56% of patients with depression have used CAM methods while they have been used in other psychiatric disorders with or without conventional treatment. In ancient India and till the middle ages before British rule in India, yoga and Ayurveda were the sciences for health and disease. Modern medicine as described during British period gradually replaced these sciences in India. In other words, in olden times, yoga and Ayurveda were practiced as a way of life. Although yoga has its roots in Vedic and Upanishadic writings, it was 100 years BC that Patanjali emphasized on different aspects of yogic practices and advocated their role in day-to-day practice as well as healthy lifestyle. The scientist-sage Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras (4), described Ashtanga Yoga meaning the eight-fold path of yoga and the way it should be practiced to live healthy lifestyle and prevent the diseases. It is thought that yoga is a spiritual science partly it is true but the latest advances have proven that we not only achieve an ideal state of psychophysiological health by practice of yoga, it helps in improving the individuals spiritual status and optimal functioning of body and mind. Yoga as a therapy has been used since 1400 BC described in Charak Samhita and has been popular in India since then. Yoga as therapy has gained its status in India and internationally after reported benefits of regular practice in stress reduction regulating of emotions improving mood, general well-being, and cognitive functioning. Utility of Pranayam has been proven in respiratory and cognitive functioning, while Yoga Asanas have their impact in physical flexibility, muscular strength, and neuromuscular performance. In health sciences, there has been a recent focus on research in Yoga therapy in various conditions including psychiatric disorders [Table 1]. In mental health, the major focus has been on research in depressive disorder and anxiety states with proven reports of its utility. Research is also being focused on posttraumatic stress disorders and substance use disorder. Some work has gone on in its utility in attention deficit disorders, autism, and obsessive–compulsive disorders. In some places, yoga therapy is being used as an adjunctive therapy. It also works as a preventive therapy where patients are having high risk for mental disorders. Table 1 Evidence base of efficacy of yoga in major depressive disorder