Care Setting
In-Patient Setting
Evidence Base for Practice
This practice example was a piot project informing evidence base.
Quality assurance/impact of practice
Results
Participants
25 patients from a single acute admissions ward in a psychiatric hospital in Fife, Scotland, participated in 1 to 10 sessions (median 1) – figure 1a. 14 were men, 11 women. The ages ranged from about 20-80 although precise details are not available. Although the majority of patients attended only one session, there were new patients at each session, and each class had between 3-8 patients attending (figure 1b). During some sessions staff members from the ward also attended.
Figure 1a Figure 1b
Patient goals
The goals that patients hoped to achieve are listed below (table 1).
Goal Number (n=25) %
Relaxation 19 76%
Increase confidence 11 44%
Socialisation 11 44%
Improve mood 4 16%
Improve self esteem 2 8%
Reduce agitation 2 8%
Improve concentration 2 8%
Alcohol 1 4%
Table 1. Patient goals for Dru yoga sessions
For those patients with prolonged admissions, continued participation in the sessions was not predictable from mental state. Some patients with psychotic symptoms were unwilling to attend further sessions while others with severe psychotic illness were able to participate.
Tutor diary
Records were available from all 10 sessions. The diaries show that for all but two sessions the full programme was completed as laid out in the methods section above. Staff members from the ward frequently attended sessions along with the patients. Some patients were restricted in physical movements, but managed to participate in a limited way in a chair.
Patient evaluation of Dru Yoga intervention at Stratheden Hospital
11 patients completed the questionnaire. 9 patients (82%) answered “Mostly yes” to the question “Did you find the yoga session(s) helpful to you?” Comments are documented in the appendix.
Pre- and post- intervention interviews
Pre- and post- intervention Interviews were conducted with two occupational therapists, an assistant occupational therapist and the Dru yoga tutor....
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Practice Summary
Summary
- Dru yoga is feasible with a wide range of psychiatric patients in an acute setting.
- Patients and staff enjoyed participating and were keen to continue Dru yoga outside the ward setting.
- OT input was particularly important in motivating patients, organising sessions and gauging appropriateness of Dru yoga.
- The use of Dru yoga should now be explored in chronic care psychiatric settings.
- The relaxation component appears to be most important for this group.
Introduction
Dru yoga is based on traditional yoga. It has been adapted for modern day lifestyles to provide a quick self-help intervention to boost energy, provide relaxation and transform painful emotions. It has many components including: Physical activity; Deep breathing and relaxation; Visualisation; Affirmation.
Dru comes from the Sanskrit word Druvam, which means fixed, immovable, in one place. Dru yoga promotes a state of stillness within the mind and heart. It follows a holistic approach aimed at improving physical, emotional and mental health. It can be used by people of any age and ability, and has been used in trauma situations such as war zones to tackle extreme stress.
This study of Dru yoga was conducted in an acute admissions ward in a psychiatric hospital in Fife, Scotland. Previously patients had been asked whether they would like to have tried yoga during their stay, and a majority responded favourably. As a result this pilot was set up.
Aims
To explore:
1) The feasibility of Dru yoga in an acute psychiatric admissions unit
2) The effectiveness of Dru yoga in providing relaxation, anxiety management and exercise.
Practice Detail
Methods
Dru Yoga
10 sessions were held in the ward early in 2003. Four approaches were used. The claimed benefits of each approach are listed below:
1. Activations. Activations free tension, reduce tension and enhance the circulation.
2. Energy Block Release. These sequences dissolve mental and physical energy blockages.
3. Breathing exercises. Breathing exercises have a calming effect on the nervous system.
4. Relaxation. Relaxation helps to create internal blallance.
Pre- and post- intervention interviews
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Occupational Therapists and Dru Yoga tutor pre- and post-intervention. The questions are listed in the results section.
Tutor diary
The tutors kept a diary summarising each session.
Patient evaluation of Dru Yoga intervention at Stratheden Hospital
Using the question “Did you find the yoga session(s) helpful to you?” patients were asked to answer either “Mostly Yes” or “Mostly No”, with the opportunity to provide further details. Patients who were unable to complete the form were assisted by the occupational therapists.
Activities form completed at each session
The OT completed a 15 point score for each patient during each session using a form used in clinical practice. Under the headings listed in table 2, patients were rated with scores ranging from 1 (no difficulty) to 5 (very severe difficulty). On the same form, occupational therapists were able to make a comment about each patient’s participation in each session. Goals from the yoga sessions were also recorded.