Abstract:
This study explored whether a mindful yoga intervention mediates the level of mindfulness and in turn reduces psychological symptoms among forensic mental health patients. Weekly one hour long mindful yoga classes were conducted over eight weeks. Additional practice between sessions was optional by listening to a 30-minute long yoga session on CD (mp3) and a complementary poster with drawings of images of the yoga postures and breathing techniques. A small sample (N = 26), of subjects of mixed gender, age and culture at a New Zealand forensic mental health inpatient facility completed assessments at baseline, post intervention and two-month follow-up. Empirical measures included the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), as well as a small qualitative component post-intervention and at two month follow-up. Although findings were statistically non-significant, trends indicated a change over time in the predicted direction in the areas of psychological outcomes, specifically anxiety, and psychological problems, despite no change over time in perceived stress scores. Strong negative correlations showed that participants who became more mindful over time tended to experience less anxiety as well as psychological problems, and improved in life functioning. Additionally, key themes revealed that participants reported noticing their bodies more and the tension they may hold, feeling more relaxed, as well as applying breathing techniques in managing their anxiety. 92% of the participants evaluated the mindful yoga programme as acceptable. This study suggests that a mindful yoga intervention is acceptable and potentially beneficial within a forensic psychiatry inpatient context. Preliminary findings are encouraging and warrant further research into the application of mindful yoga in the management of distress and risk in forensic mental health.