Yoga as a pre-treatment of EMDR to treat childhood abuse-related PTSD: feasibility and pilot study

<b>Background:</b> Yoga, a mind-body practice that enhances emotional regulation and self-awareness, may be an effective stabilisation tool for trauma-focused therapy, particularly for patients with childhood abuse-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CA-PTSD), who exhibit strong avoidance strategies. <b>Objective:</b> This study aimed to test the efficacy of group yoga sessions followed by individual EMDR sessions on PTSD symptoms. Secondary objectives included evaluating the efficacy of this combined treatment on the most common associated comorbidities, and measuring the adherence and effectiveness of EMDR sessions. <b>Methods:</b> 32 adult women with CA-PTSD were randomly assigned to either a Yoga + EMDR group (10 weekly yoga sessions followed by 10 weekly EMDR sessions) or a Wait + EMDR group (12 weeks of waiting followed by 10 weekly EMDR sessions). Assessments were conducted at baseline, week 12, and week 24, primarily using validated self-report questionnaires. <b>Results:</b> While PTSD symptoms and most comorbidities showed no significant group differences, the Yoga + EMDR group exhibited significant improvements in anxiety and emotional dysregulation, fewer dropouts, and more effective EMDR sessions compared to the Wait + EMDR group. The study faced a limitation as the overall therapy duration extended beyond the protocol, rapidly preventing new recruitments. <b>Conclusions:</b> Yoga preceding EMDR shows promise in enhancing emotion regulation and EMDR effectiveness for CA-PTSD patients. Prior group yoga sessions enhanced the adherence and efficacy of individual EMDR sessions.Participants who received yoga sessions demonstrated significant improvements in emotional regulation and reduced anxiety compared to participants who did not.The prolonged nature of EMDR therapy for CA-PTSD can strain the resources of medical centres.Integrating yoga as both a pre- and co-treatment may sustainably improve EMDR efficacy and ultimately shorten therapy duration. Prior group yoga sessions enhanced the adherence and efficacy of individual EMDR sessions. Participants who received yoga sessions demonstrated significant improvements in emotional regulation and reduced anxiety compared to participants who did not. The prolonged nature of EMDR therapy for CA-PTSD can strain the resources of medical centres. Integrating yoga as both a pre- and co-treatment may sustainably improve EMDR efficacy and ultimately shorten therapy duration.