Description

Study Summary

Introduction

There is growing interest in applying yoga and mindfulness techniques to children and adolescents, although research in this area remains limited. Existing studies suggest that yoga can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance resilience, and boost self-regulation skills in school settings. Additionally, these approaches hold promise for improving mental health in clinical child and adolescent populations.

Study Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of trauma-adapted yoga (TAY) as a complement to care as usual in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) clinics in the USA and Sweden. The study hypothesizes that eight weeks of TAY practice will reduce negative affect states and pain intensity/frequency, while improving emotional and behavioral control, attention, and resilience. It is expected that TAY will enhance the success of other ongoing treatments in CAP, foster improved well-being, and provide patients with self-care tools.

Importance of the Study:

The study's results are crucial for developing evidence-based care for children and adolescents with mental disorders and filling gaps in knowledge about yoga's efficacy as a treatment method.

Participants

Adolescents aged 12-18 in contact with CAP clinics who have received a diagnosis of PTSD and/or ADHD are eligible. Inclusion criteria include understanding English or Swedish, while exclusion criteria involve ongoing substance use, active manic periods, psychotic disorders, suicidality, cognitive impairment, and serious physical illnesses.

Study Design:

The study adopts a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) design. Participants undergo pre-intervention assessment, followed by random assignment to either the yoga group or a control group. The yoga group attends weekly TAY sessions for eight weeks, while the control group waits. Assessments are conducted post-intervention and at a follow-up point. The study aims to include 174-180 adolescents.

Intervention

TAY classes span eight weeks, incorporating physical movements, balance exercises, adapted breathing practices, trauma-informed mindfulness guidance, and guided progressive muscle relaxation. Participants have the option to continue yoga practice online after the intervention.

Assessment

Assessment includes self-reported measures using validated instruments, such as the Child PTSD Symptom Scale, Positive/Negative Affect, Pain assessment, Child and Youth Resilience Measure, and Self-Directedness. Guardian-reported measures include the SNAP-IV and PedsQL-Fam inventory. Patient records provide additional data.

Qualitative Component:

After the intervention, individual interviews gather qualitative information on participants', guardians', and staff's experiences of yoga and its health effects.

This study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of trauma-adapted yoga for adolescents in CAP clinics, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based care in this population.