Yoga in Treatment of Eating Disorders
Yoga in Treatment of Eating Disorders
Purpose: to examine effects of hatha yoga in treatment of eating disorders.

 Methods:

 Participants: patients with DSM-IV Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa or Eating Disorders Not
 Otherwise Specified will be invited to participate in this study. Exclusion criteria will be
 age under 18, serious medical complications, psychosis or increased risk of suicide.

 Design: randomized controlled single-blinded trial. Intervention: 2 x 90 min weekly group
 sessions for 12 weeks with hatha yoga. Main outcome measure: reduction in Eating Disorders
 Examination score. Secondary outcome measures: reduction in body dissatisfaction, depression
 and anxiety
For the last years, yoga has become a popular "body-mind" form of exercise in western
 countries (Daubenmier, 2005). Yoga has shown good effects on increasing muscle strength,
 flexibility and stability, in addition studies have found reduced stress level, improved mood
 and breathing (Astin et al., 2003; Gimbel, 1998b; Granath et al., 2006; Lavey et al., 2005;
 Manjunatha et al., 2005b; Netz & Lidor, 2003a; Telles & Naveen, 1997b; Yadav et al., 2005b).
 Previous research have shown a tendency for persons practicing yoga improving body awareness
 and body sensitivity, and reduction of body dissatisfaction (Daubenmier, 2005). In addition,
 two studies have examined yoga in treatment of binge eating disorder (Daubenmier, 2005;
 Gimbel, 1998a). Results showed reduction in number of binge eating episodes in the
 intervention group compared to the control group. No available studies have examined effect
 of yoga in treatment of the eating disorders types Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  age 18 or above

 -  DSM-IV Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa or Eating disorders not otherwise specified

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  serious medical complications

 -  psychosis

 -  suicidal behavior