Yoga-based exercise program for veterans with severe mental illness

Exercise-based Program for Rehabilitation of Veterans with Severe Mental Illness

NIH-funded research Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11193243

This study is looking at how a yoga exercise program can help veterans with serious mental health issues, like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, by improving their daily life skills and overall well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Health Administration NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11193243 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of a yoga-based exercise program as a complementary treatment for veterans suffering from severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar I disorder. The program aims to improve community functioning, which includes social interactions, leisure activities, employment skills, and daily living abilities. Participants will engage in yoga exercises designed to enhance cognitive function and overall well-being. The study will assess both the short-term and long-term benefits of this approach, particularly focusing on how well veterans can integrate these practices into their daily lives.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are veterans diagnosed with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar I disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of severe mental illness or those who are not veterans may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide veterans with severe mental illness a new, effective tool for improving their daily functioning and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown short-term benefits of yoga-based exercise for improving cognitive deficits and community functioning in individuals with severe mental illness, but long-term effects remain untested.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions alcohol use disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.