An interventional study of Trauma-adapted yoga in ADHD, PTSD and Quality of Life, sponsored by University West, Sweden. Recruiting at 1 site in Sweden. Open to participants aged 12 Years to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-19.
Sponsored by University West, Sweden · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of trauma-adapted yoga as a complementary intervention to care as usual in child and adolescents psychiatry clinics, in the population of adolescents with the diagnosis of ADHD and/or PTSD. We hypothesize that trauma-adapted yoga (TAY) is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for adolescent with ADHD and/or PTSD. Aims: (1) Validate the impact of TAY on the mental health \& quality of life of adolescents with ADHD and/or PTSD. (2) Investigate the feasibility of online TAY for continued self-care. (3) Explore adolescents' experiences \& parental perspectives on TAY in their treatment. (4) Explore healthcare professionals' experience on the integration of TAY into clinical practice.
Within and between group (yoga group vs waiting list) analyses will be performed.
Study Summary
Introduction:
There is growing interest in applying yoga and mindfulness techniques to children and adolescents, although research in this area remains limited. Existing studies suggest that yoga can reduce stress, improve mood, enhance resilience, and boost self-regulation skills in school settings. Additionally, these approaches hold promise for improving mental health in clinical child and adolescent populations.
Study Aim:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of trauma-adapted yoga (TAY) as a complement to care as usual in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) clinics in the USA and Sweden. The study hypothesizes that eight weeks of TAY practice will reduce negative affect states and pain intensity/frequency, while improving emotional and behavioral control, attention, and resilience. It is expected that TAY will enhance the success of other ongoing treatments in CAP, foster improved well-being, and provide patients with self-care tools.
Importance of the Study:
The study's results are crucial for developing evidence-based care for children and adolescents with mental disorders and filling gaps in knowledge about yoga's efficacy as a treatment method.
Participants:
Adolescents aged 12-18 in contact with CAP clinics who have received a diagnosis of PTSD and/or ADHD are eligible. Inclusion criteria include understanding English or Swedish, while exclusion criteria involve ongoing substance use, active manic periods, psychotic disorders, suicidality, cognitive impairment, and serious physical illnesses.
Study Design:
The study adopts a Randomized Control Trial (RCT) design. Participants undergo pre-intervention assessment, followed by random assignment to either the yoga group or a control group. The yoga group attends weekly TAY sessions for eight weeks, while the control group waits. Assessments are conducted post-intervention and at a follow-up point. The study aims to include 174-180 adolescents.
Intervention:
TAY classes span eight weeks, incorporating physical movements, balance exercises, adapted breathing practices, trauma-informed mindfulness guidance, and guided progressive muscle relaxation. Participants have the option to continue yoga practice online after the intervention.
Assessment:
Assessment includes self-reported measures using validated instruments, such as the Child PTSD Symptom Scale, Positive/Negative Affect, Pain assessment, Child and Youth Resilience Measure, and Self-Directedness. Guardian-reported measures include the SNAP-IV and PedsQL-Fam inventory. Patient records provide additional data.
Qualitative Component:
After the intervention, individual interviews gather qualitative information on participants', guardians', and staff's experiences of yoga and its health effects.
This study aims to provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of trauma-adapted yoga for adolescents in CAP clinics, contributing to the advancement of evidence-based care in this population.
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This study's planned enrollment of 180 is above the median of 71 across 1,437 interventional studies indexed under Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity.
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Exclusion Criteria:
8 weeks ,once a week, instructor led trauma-adapted yoga intervention.
Other: Trauma-adapted yoga
Waiting list
Trauma-adapted-yoga (TAY) classes The classes, which span eight weeks with a once-a-week frequency, each last approximately 45-50 minutes. These small group classes are structured in a semi-circle arrangement to create a sense of security and empowerment for the participants. The teaching approach is trauma-sensitive, characterized by its inviting nature, provision of choices when facing challenges (A-B choices), and direction toward tangible physical sensations to enhance interoceptive awareness. Each yoga session follows a structured sequence of activities designed to promote participants' well-being and physiological awareness. Online TAY classes After eight weeks, adolescents in the yoga group can continue their practice online. Exclusive to previous in-person participants, they'll receive a link for recorded classes and they will have the possibility to contact their health care contact any time.
Negative experience score CPSS-5-S
Child PTSD Symptom Scale: 27-item self-report version rates each item from 0 (not at all) to 4 (6 or more times a week/almost always) based on the frequency and severity of the reported symptom experienced during the last month. The total severity score ranges from 0 to 80 and is calculated by summing the ratings of the first 20 items. The CPSS-5 also yields subscale scores for intrusion (Items 1-5), avoidance (Items 6-7), changes in cognition and mood (Items 8-14), and increased arousal and reactivity (Items15-20). Finally, seven items assess impairment of endorsed symptoms on daily functioning pertinent to youth (e.g., fun things you want to do, doing your chores, relationships with your friends). The respondent rates these items on a scale of 0 (not at all) to 4 (6 or more times a week/almost always), resulting in an impairment score that ranges from 0 to 28.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Inattention, impulsivity score
Parent-rated ADHD score, SNAP-IV: The SNAP-IV consists of a total of 26 questions, divided into two subscales: one for inattention symptoms and one for hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. Each subscale contains 9 items, and there are 8 additional questions that provide an overall assessment of impairment. Higher score indicates higher problem load.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Resilience score
social, ecological, psychological, and emotional resilience: The Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised-Adapted Swedish (CYRM-R-AS) is a self-report measures of social ecological and psychological, emotional resilience. In addition to an overall score of resilience, scores can be derived for the three subscales of the measures personal, caregiver and psychological/emotional resilience. The CYRM-R (simplified) is suitable for youth aged 10-23 with difficulties to comprehend text or sustain attention. Its 23 items can be scored on 3- point Likert scales. The items in the measure are all positively worded and therefore scoring involves simple summing of responses. It can be used to evaluate the efficacy of interventions to build and maintain resilience. Three sub-scales can be created . Higher scores indicate better outcome.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Pain frequency and intensity
Pain frequency, intensity and location: The Pain assessment instrument uses verbal and numerical assessment scales, where the participant describes their pain during the last month using words (no pain; mild pain; moderate pain; severe pain; very severe pain; unbearable pain) and using numbers between 0 and 10, where 0 (zero) represents no pain, and 10 represents the worst possible pain. Primary and secondary pain localization is described in free text by the participant. Higher scores indicate increased problem load
Time frame: 8 weeks
affect
Positive and Negative affect state: The Positive Affect and Negative Affect-Extended (PANAS-X) instrument consists of 30 items and captures the valence (positive and negative) and the arousal (high or low) of the mood descriptors during the last month. The following are examples for all four categories. Positive activated: active, enthusiastic, excited, inspired, and proud; Positive deactivated: at ease, serene, calm, relaxed, and content; Negative activated: afraid, scared, hostile, guilty, and ashamed; Negative deactivated: tired, sluggish, drowsy, dull, and bored. HIgher scores indicate dominance of the specific subscale in affect state.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Self-directednes
Self-control, responsibility: Self-Directedness character domain of the J-TCI (Junior Temperament and Character Inventory, Cloninger et al., Swedish version: Kerekes et al.) has been used to measure changes in this domain during the last month. Has been used for 9-15-year-old adolescents in Sweden. Self-directedness, or self-determination, refers to a tendency to achieve personal goals and values. Includes 20 questions and dichotomic responses (Yes/No). Higher scores indicate better outcome.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Quality of life score
PedsQL and PedsQL FIM: The 23-item PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales encompass: * 1\) Physical Functioning (8 items), * 2\) Emotional Functioning (5 items), * 3\) Social Functioning (5 items), and * 4\) School Functioning (5 items), and were developed through focus groups, cognitive interviews, pre-testing, and field-testing measurement development protocols. The Parent-reported Health-Related Quality of Life of the Child (PedsQL-Fam) inventory is an assessment tool designed to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children from the perspective of their parents or caregivers. It includes questions about different aspects of the child's functioning and well-being, 25 items. Higher scores indicate better outcome
Time frame: 8 weeks
Plan to share: Yes
Supporting information: Study protocol, Statistical analysis plan, Informed consent form
Time frame: After completion of data collection and analyses, and after we coudl publish the results in peer reviewed scientific journals
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