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Influence of Yoga Practices on Mood States of Individuals with Drug Addiction – an Open-Label Study

  • Suman Rawat Suman Rawat Assistant Professor Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness, Shoolini University, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India. India ,  
  • Mala Tripathi* Mala Tripathi Corresponding author Assistant Professor Himalayan School of Yoga Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradoon, Uttarakhand, India. India ,  
  • Apar Kaushik Apar Kaushik Assistant Professor Yogananda School of Spirituality and Happiness, Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India. India ,  
  • Gitika Bhasin Gitika Bhasin Senior Research Fellow Division of Yoga, Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR), Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal. India ,  
  • G. Govardhan Reddy G. Govardhan Reddy Associate Professor Division of Yoga, Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research (CIMR), Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal. India ,  
  • Sudhanshu Verma Sudhanshu Verma Assistant Professor Department of Yogic Science and Spirituality, Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus, Central Sanskrit University, Devprayag, Uttarakhand. India ,  
  • Dhanesh P.V Dhanesh P.V Assistant Professor, Department of Yogic Science and Spirituality, Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus, Central Sanskrit University, Devprayag, Uttarakhand. India ,  
  • Rashmitha Rashmitha Assistant Professor Department of Yogic Science and Spirituality, Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus, Central Sanskrit University, Devprayag, Uttarakhand. India
Received: March 26, 2025
Accepted: April 30, 2025
Published: June 11, 2025
Volume: 1 (1) | Page: 24-31

Abstract

Objective: To explore the impact of yoga practices on mood states in individuals struggling with drug addiction.

Methods: This non-randomized open trial was conducted at a drug rehabilitation center in northern India. 68 male participants were divided into a yoga intervention group (n=33) and a treatment-as-usual control group (n=35). The yoga group received a 40-minute yoga intervention 5 days/week for 12 weeks, in addition to standard care. Mood states were assessed using the 8-State Questionnaire before and after the intervention.

Results: Post-intervention, the yoga group showed significantly greater improvements compared to the control group in stress (p<0.001), depression (p=0.002), regression (p<0.001), fatigue (p<0.001), and guilt (p=0.039). Both groups experienced significant reductions in anxiety (p<0.001 for both groups). No significant changes were observed in extraversion or arousal levels for either group.

Conclusions: Yoga practices as an adjunctive therapy may offer benefits in improving mood states for individuals undergoing treatment for drug addiction, particularly in reducing stress, depression, regression, fatigue, and guilt. Further research with more rigorous designs is needed to confirm these findings and explore long-term outcomes.

Limitations: The study was limited by its non-randomized design, small sample size, single-center setting, and lack of long-term follow-up. Demographic differences between groups and potential confounding factors should be considered when interpreting the results.

Keywords: yoga, drug addiction, mood states, rehabilitation, complementary therapy

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