Effects of mind-body exercises in a patient with mood disorders: a case report

The rationale of this case study was to evaluate a subject with anxiety and depression under treatment for anxiety and depression with significant bodily symptoms and physical illness, configuring also a psychosomatic condition. We investigated a new protocol of mind-body exercise (MBE) and its effects on the body-mind relationship through qualitative and quantitative analysis

Case Report

M.S., 47 years old, diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and several other illnesses and physical complaints, was submitted a weekly seven sessions of MBE. After that, anxiety, depression, and interoception were evaluated. Moreover, affect and arousal scales were administered after each session.

Discussion

Improvements were identified in all dimensions of interoception, with more pronounced results in not-distracting (pre: 4/ post: 0,25), emotional awareness (pre: 1,6/ post: 5), self-regulation (pre: 2,29/ post: 4,29) and trusting (pre: 0/ post: 4), in addition to reducing symptoms of depression (pre: 17/ post: 14) and anxiety (pre: 29/ post: 24) and increase for positive affect (pre:2,2 ± 3,0/post: 3,6 ± 1,7) e arousal (pre:4,5 ± 1,9/post: 5,9 ± 0,4).

Conclusion

We conclude that MBE improved interoceptive ability and reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. Through these perceived and reported changes, the patient was able to learn to deal with stress and anxiety and self-regulate.

Mood disorders; Depression; Mind-body exercise; Anxiety; Case report

	Preparatory phase	Main phase	Final phase
Session 1 (Noticing)	Body scan noticing comfort and discomfort	Elbow flexion Sit and stand Tree posture March in place Upper abdominal *Slow execution	Dead body posture Body scan
Session 2 (Not being distracted)	Body scan noticing the discomfort	Elbow flexion Sit and stand Tree posture March in place Upper abdominal *Fast execution	Relaxation progressive muscle
Session 3 (Not worring)	Mindfulness meditation with stimulation of the 5 senses	Elbow flexion Sit and stand Tree posture March in place Upper abdominal *Execution with mind-muscle connection	Dead body posture Body scan
Session 4 (Attentional regulation)	Meditation with attentional regulation with external stimuli and internal sensations	Elbow flexion Sit and stand Tree posture March in place Upper abdominal *Slow execution with attention	alternate nostril breathing
Session 5 (Emotional awareness)	Imagine being angry or calm and stimulating bodily contractions and bodily relaxation	Elbow flexion Sit and stand Tree posture March in place Upper abdominal *Moderate intensity	Visualization exercise with positive and emotional experiences
Session 6 (Self-regulation)	Meditation mindfulness	Elbow flexion Sit and stand Tree posture March in place Upper abdominal *Fast execution Sun salutation yoga flow	Respiratory exercise to dissolve tension
Session 7 (Trust)	Meditation mindfulness Grounding exercise	Short squat with isometrics and combined plantar flexion and arms raised upwards	Visualization exercise floating in the sea

	PRE	POST
MAIA (score)
Noticing	3,3	3,6
Not-distracting*	4,0	0,25
Not-worrying	1,25	2,75
Attention Regulation	3,0	4,2
Emotional Awareness*	1,6	5,0
Self-Regulation*	2,29	4,29
Trusting*	0,0	4,0
HAM-D	17	14
HAM-A	29	24

	PRE	POST
Feeling Scale (FS) (average ±SD)	2,2 ± 3,0	3,6 ± 1,7
Felt Arousal Scale (FAS) (average ±SD)	4,5 ± 1,9	5,9 ± 0,4

Instituto de Psiquiatria da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Av. Venceslau Brás, 71 Fundos, 22295-140 Rio de Janeiro - RJ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 21) 3873-5510 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: editora@ipub.ufrj.br

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[1] Address for correspondence:
Erica Simone Rodrigues Moraes. Vensceslau Braz, 71, fundos – 22290-140 – Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. E-mail: ericamoraes.psicologia@gmail.com