Effect of yoga on perseverative thinking, mind wandering and mindfulness in unhealthy volunteers

Abstract

Jung, Hayoon Contexts: A number of different psychological disorders have been found to be related to heightened levels of repetitive negative thinking and mind wandering. Aims: The purpose of the present study was to assess perseverative thinking, mind wandering and mindfulness in unhealthy adults undergoing Yoga treatment (IAYT). Settings and Design: This is a single group Pre and Post design study. Subjects were unhealthy participants group (n = 93) those who under the YOGA (IAYT) treatment 7 days in Arogyadhama, Prashanti kutiram, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Participants consist of 65 males and 28 females, their age ranged from 19 to 83 years with a mean age of 48.2 years (SD= 16.76). Methods and Material: The questionnaire packets including demographic details, Short Depression – Happiness Scale (SDHS), Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ), Mind Wandering Questionnaire (MWQ) and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were taken on the first and seventh day of one week yoga treatment. Results: The data analysis showed 0.62% increase (P<0.05) in short depression – happiness level, 1.65% decrease (P<0.001) in mind wandering, 3.36% decrease (P<0.001) in perseverative thinking, 2.86% increase (P<0.01) in mindful attention awareness. Conclusions: These results suggest that participation in a yoga treatment (IAYT) was associated with improvement in happiness, mindfulness level and reducing perseverative thinking, mind wandering scores.