The effect of yoga on anxiety symptoms in women with obsessive compulsive disorder

Abstract

This study examined the therapeutic effect of Yoga on symptoms of women with obsessive compulsive disorder. In this assessor blinded randomized clinical trial, 40 women with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCS) aged between 19 and 55, were assigned to practice Yoga (intervention) or watching TV as comparison. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YB-OCS) was used to assess the severity of OCD that was later compared between trial groups. The YB-OCS score for obsessive thoughts was 12.5 ± 3.1 in intervention group versus 12.3±3.05 in comparison group (p=0.36). The YB-OCS score for obsessive compulsive condition was 11.65 ± 3.1 in intervention group versus 11.1±2.8 in comparison group (p=0.35). Severity of anxiety decreased significantly after Yoga and participants reported well-being and a better function. Based on paired t-test results, only the intervention group patients experienced a significant decrease in severity of anxiety (P<0.05) and the change in comparison group was not statistically significant. Short term Yoga exercises didn't appear to be effective for patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.