Table 1 Characteristics of the included studies

Treatment

Control

1) Symptoms

Short-term

Long-term

2) Well-being

3) Cognitive function

4) Social function

5) Hospitalization

6) Safety

Behere et al., 2011 [41] Varambally et al., 2012 [42]

119 patients with Schizophrenia according to DSM IV CGI≥3 YOGA 32.8±10.0 y EX 30.6±7.3 y WL 33.6±9.5 y

Antipsychotic drugs

Yogasana (YOGA) 4 months: Month 1: 25x45 minutes instructed SVYASA Yoga (loosening exercises, postures, breathing, relaxation, no meditation) Month 2-4: home based training

1. Exercise (EX) 4 months Month 1: 25x45 min. instructed physical exercise (walking, jogging, postures, relaxation) Month 2-4: home based training 2. Usual care (UC) 4 months

4 months

1) PANSS a) positive symptoms b) negative symptoms c) total 3) TRACS 4) SOFS total 6) Extrapyramidal Symptoms

1) a) YOGA: sign. improvement; EX/WL: n.s. b) YOGA: sign. improvement; EX/WL: n.s. c) YOGA: sign. improvement; EX/WL: n.s. 3) YOGA: sign. improvement; EX/WL: n.s. 4) YOGA: sign. improvement; EX/WL: n.s. 6) n.s.

n.a.

Duraiswamy et al., 2007 [43]

61 patients with Schizophrenia according to DSM IV CGI≥4 YOGA 32.5±7.9 y EX 31.3±7.9 y

Antipsychotic drugs

Yogasana (YOGA) 4 months Month 1: 25x45 minutes instructed SVYASA Yoga(loosening exercises, postures, breathing, relaxation, no meditation) Month 2-4: home-based training

1. Exercise (EX) 4 months Month 1: 25x45 min. instructed physical exercise (walking, jogging, postures, relaxation) Month 2-4: home-based training

4 months

1) PANSS a) positive symptoms b) negative symptoms c) total 2) WHO QOL-BREF a) physical b) psychological c) social d) environmental 4) SOFS total 6) Simpson Angus Scale for Extrapyramidal Symptoms

1) a) n.s. b) YOGA > EX c) YOGA > EX. 2) a) YOGA > EX b) YOGA > EX c) YOGA > EX d) YOGA > EX 4) YOGA > EX 6) n.s.

n.a.

Vancampfort et al., 2011 [44]

49 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder CGI≥4 Women: 32.8±8.9 y Men: 31.8±8.7 y

Hospital inpatient treatment

Hatha yoga (YOGA) Single 30-minutes session Bodily postures, coordination, strength, flexibility, balance, breath awareness, relaxation.

1. Exercise (EX) Single 20-minutes session Ergometer training 2. Usual care (UC) Single 20-minutes session Reading

Immediately

2) SEES

2) YOGA > UC

n.a.

Visceglia et al., 2011 [45]

18 patients with schizophrenia YOGA: 37.4±13.7 y WL: 48.1±11.2 y

Hospital inpatient treatment

Yoga (YOGA) 8 weeks: 2 x 45 minutes per week Stretching, movements, breathing, relaxation

Usual care (UC) 8 weeks

8 weeks

1) PANSS a) positive symptoms b) negative symptoms c) total 2) WHO QOL-BREF a) physica b) psychological c) environmental 4) WHO QOL-BREF 6) adverse events

1.) a) YOGA > UC b) YOGA > UC c) YOGA > UC 2) a) YOGA > UC b) YOGA > UC c) n.s. 4) n.s. 6) n.s.

n.a.

Xie et al., 2006 [46]

90 patients with schizophrenia according to CCMD-3 YOGA: 28.2±8.3 y UC: 30.5±9.4 y

Antipsychotic drugs

Yoga (YOGA) 8 weeks 4-5x60 minutes per week Bodily postures, breathing techniques, meditation, relaxation

Usual care (UC) 8 weeks

8 weeks

2) GQOLI-74 a) material life b) physical function c) psychological function 4) GQOLI-74

2) a) n.s. b) YOGA > UC c) YOGA > UC 4) YOGA > UC

n.a.