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Journal article
Yoga versus transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy for emotional disorders in community-dwelling adults: Study protocol for a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial
Advances in integrative medicine, In press
2025
Abstract
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the first-line non-pharmacological intervention for the most prevalent and co-occurring mental health conditions (anxiety, major depressive, posttraumatic stress, and alcohol use disorders). However, CBT response rates are variable and access is limited by cost, availability, and up-take. Yoga demonstrates efficacy for these conditions and may be more accessible than CBT. However, to better refine personalised healthcare and ensure maximum generalisability to “real-world” presentations, we need methodologically robust randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compare yoga to appropriate controls, monitor mental health co-occurrences, and examine biomarkers and mechanisms of action alongside outcomes. We present the study protocol for an ongoing, experimenter-masked, parallel-group, non-inferiority design RCT to evaluate the efficacy of 10-week yoga (novel intervention) versus 10-week transdiagnostic CBT (the Unified Protocol; evidence-based active control) for co-occurring anxiety, major depressive, posttraumatic stress, or alcohol use disorders among community-dwelling Australian adults (aged ≥18 years). The protocol is approved by Murdoch University Human Research Ethics Committee. The primary outcome measure is the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (weeks 0, 11, 23, 35) and power analyses determined a minimum of 67 participants per group are required to assess non-inferiority. Secondary outcomes include a clinician-administered interview, self-reported symptoms, and functional outcomes. Sleep and emotion regulation self-report measures (including ecological momentary assessment) and physiological biomarkers (actigraphy, heart rate variability) will be tested as potential moderators and mediators of outcome. Experimenter-masked analyses will use both intent-to-treat and per-protocol approaches.
Findings will inform evidence-based formal recommendations and policy regarding the implementation of yoga into healthcare and may advance precision medicine.
Details
- Title
- Yoga versus transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy for emotional disorders in community-dwelling adults: Study protocol for a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial
- Authors/Creators
- Danielle C. Mathersul - School of Psychology, Murdoch University, AustraliaJean M. Byrne - Wisdom Yoga Institute, The Yoga Space, AustraliaJoyce J.Y. Lau - School of Psychology, Murdoch University, AustraliaSchutzeRobert M. Schütze - Curtin UniversityYvonne C. Learmonth - Murdoch UniversityHakuei Fujiyama - Murdoch UniversityKristin Naragon-Gainey - School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, AustraliaPeter M. McEvoy - Curtin UniversityPeter J. Bayley - War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, United States of America
- Publication Details
- Advances in integrative medicine, In press
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991005762526007891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s)
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Healthy Ageing; School of Allied Health; School of Psychology; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics; Personalised Medicine Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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