Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9155-9369

Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

College of Applied Human Sciences

Department

Sport and Exercise Psychology

Committee Chair

Ashely Coker-Cranney

Committee Member

Samuel Zizzi

Committee Member

Lacey Sawyer

Committee Member

Jeanette Garcia

Committee Member

Sean Bulger

Abstract

Yoga interventions have been used more frequently in recent years within health and wellness settings to address both clinical and non-clinical issues. More specifically, yoga interventions and trauma-informed yoga (TIY) interventions are being explored within the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). Initial research suggests that yoga interventions could be beneficial to the treatment of SUDs as an adjunct to treatment or a stand-alone intervention as part of continued recovery (post-clinical treatment) (Fitzgerald et al., 2021; Mallik et al., 2019). Although initial research is promising, the current quantity and quality of studies specifically exploring the feasibility and potential benefit of trauma-informed yoga interventions as an adjunct to treatment as usual (TAU) within inpatient SUD treatment is lacking in quality and quantity. The current study utilized a mixed-methods exploratory concurrent design to assess the feasibility and impact of TIY+TAU within inpatient SUD treatment. A total of 43 participants, who were currently receiving inpatient treatment for SUD at a treatment center in the Appalachian region, voluntarily took part in the TIY+TAU intervention. Feasibility was measured by assessing acceptability, implementation, adaptation, integration, and limited efficacy testing. To capture these variables of interest, each TIY+TAU session was recorded to include attendance and qualitative observations. Participants completed brief pre- and post-survey measures before and after each dose (i.e., one session) of TIY+TAU. Survey measures assessed participants’ stress, cravings, and mood. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with participants, as well as site staff, to further assess feasibility. The intervention was found to be acceptable, successfully implemented, appropriately adapted, and integrated. Moreover, overall positive improvements were demonstrated from a single bout of TIY+TAU via limited efficacy testing. Thematic Analysis of participant focus group data generated three main themes (i.e., Personal Transformation, Social and Behavioral Outcomes, Program Experience) and eight subthemes of participant experiences. Survey data illustrated an overall significant decrease in cravings and stress for all participants following a single bout of TIY+TAU. Although limited mood data were collected, given site limitations, the data showed an overall decrease in negative mood states and an increase in positive mood states for all participants who completed the POMS-40 following a single bout of TIY+TAU. These findings suggest that TIY interventions are feasible within inpatient SUD treatment and that they can lead to positive benefits that could benefit overall clinical outcomes.

Download

Share

COinS