Yoga on Our Minds: A Systematic Review of Yoga for Neuropsychiatric Disorders Treating major depression with yoga: A prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial Scoping review of systematic reviews of complementary medicine for musculoskeletal and mental health conditions The therapeutic value of yoga in neurological disorders Feasibility, acceptability, and effects of gentle Hatha yoga for women with major depression: findings from a randomized controlled mixed-methods study. Yoga and exercise for symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with poststroke disability: a randomized, controlled pilot trial. Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficacy of Iyengar Yoga Therapy on Chronic Low Back Pain Yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention increases neuroplasticity and reduces severity of major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.
Background : The dem and for clinical ly efficacious , safe , patient acceptable , and cost-effective forms of treatment for mental illness is growing . Several studies have demonstrated benefit from yoga in specific psychiatric symptoms and a general sense of well-being . Objective : To systematic ally examine the evidence for efficacy of yoga in the treatment of selected major psychiatric disorders . Methods : Electronic search es of The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the st and ard bibliographic data bases , MEDLINE , EMBASE , and PsycINFO , were performed through April 2011 and an up date d in June 2011 using the keywords yoga AND psychiatry OR depression OR anxiety OR schizophrenia OR cognition OR memory OR attention AND r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) . Studies with yoga as the independent variable and one of the above mentioned terms as the dependent variable were included and exclusion criteria were applied . Results : The search yielded a total of 124 trials , of which 16 met rigorous criteria for the final review . Grade B evidence supporting a potential acute benefit for yoga exists in depression ( four RCTs ) , as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia ( three RCTs ) , in children with ADHD ( two RCTs ) , and Grade C evidence in sleep complaints ( three RCTs ) . RCTs in cognitive disorders and eating disorders yielded conflicting results . No studies looked at primary prevention , relapse prevention , or comparative effectiveness versus pharmacotherapy . Conclusion : There is emerging evidence from r and omized trials to support popular beliefs about yoga for depression , sleep disorders , and as an augmentation therapy . Limitations of literature include inability to do double-blind studies , multiplicity of comparisons within small studies , and lack of replication . Biomarker and neuroimaging studies , those comparing yoga with st and ard pharmaco- and psychotherapies , and studies of long-term efficacy are needed to fully translate the promise of yoga for enhancing mental health Background Conventional pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies for major depression are associated with limited adherence to care and relatively low remission rates . Yoga may offer an alternative treatment option , but rigorous studies are few . This r and omized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessors examined an 8-week hatha yoga intervention as mono-therapy for mild-to-moderate major depression . Methods Investigators recruited 38 adults in San Francisco meeting criteria for major depression of mild-to-moderate severity , per structured psychiatric interview and scores of 14–28 on Beck Depression Inventory-II ( BDI ) . At screening , individuals engaged in psychotherapy , antidepressant pharmacotherapy , herbal or nutraceutical mood therapies , or mind-body practice s were excluded . Participants were 68 % female , with mean age 43.4 years ( SD = 14.8 , range = 22–72 ) , and mean BDI score 22.4 ( SD = 4.5 ) . Twenty participants were r and omized to 90-minute hatha yoga practice groups twice weekly for 8 weeks . Eighteen participants were r and omized to 90-minute attention control education groups twice weekly for 8 weeks . Certified yoga instructors delivered both interventions at a university clinic . Primary outcome was depression severity , measured by BDI scores every 2 weeks from baseline to 8 weeks . Secondary outcomes were self-efficacy and self-esteem , measured by scores on the General Self-Efficacy Scale ( GSES ) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale ( RSES ) at baseline and at 8 weeks . Results In intent-to-treat analysis , yoga participants exhibited significantly greater 8-week decline in BDI scores  than controls ( p-value = 0.034 ) . In sub-analyses of participants completing final 8-week measures , yoga participants were more likely to achieve remission , defined per final BDI score ≤ 9 ( p-value = 0.018 ) . Effect size of yoga in reducing BDI scores was large , per Cohen ’s d = -0.96 [ 95%CI , -1.81 to -0.12 ] . Intervention groups did not differ significantly in 8-week change scores for either the GSES or RSES . Conclusion In adults with mild-to-moderate major depression , an 8-week hatha yoga intervention result ed in statistically and clinical ly significant reductions in depression severity . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov Objective To identify potentially effective complementary approaches for musculoskeletal (MSK)–mental health ( MH ) comorbidity , by synthesis ing evidence on effectiveness , cost-effectiveness and safety from systematic review s ( SRs ) . Design Scoping review of SRs . Methods We search ed literature data bases , registries and reference lists , and contacted key authors and professional organisations to identify SRs of r and omised controlled trials for complementary medicine for MSK or MH . Inclusion criteria were : published after 2004 , study ing adults , in English and scoring > 50 % on Assessing the Method ological Quality of Systematic Review s ( AMSTAR ) ; quality appraisal checklist ) . SRs were synthesis ed to identify research priorities , based on moderate/good quality evidence , sample size and indication of cost-effectiveness and safety . Results We included 84 MSK SRs and 27 MH SRs . Only one focused on MSK – MH comorbidity . Meditative approaches and yoga may improve MH outcomes in MSK population s. Yoga and tai chi had moderate/good evidence for MSK and MH conditions . SRs reported moderate/good quality evidence ( any comparator ) in a moderate/large population for :  low back pain ( LBP )  ( yoga , acupuncture , spinal manipulation/mobilisation , osteopathy ) , osteoarthritis ( OA ) ( acupuncture , tai chi ) , neck pain  ( acupuncture , manipulation/manual therapy ) , myofascial trigger point pain ( acupuncture ) , depression ( mindfulness-based stress reduction ( MBSR ) , meditation , tai chi , relaxation ) , anxiety ( meditation/MBSR , moving meditation , yoga ) , sleep disorders ( meditative/mind – body movement ) and stress/distress ( mindfulness ) . The majority of these complementary approaches had some evidence of safety — only three had evidence of harm . There was some evidence of cost-effectiveness for spinal manipulation/mobilisation and acupuncture for LBP , and manual therapy/manipulation for neck pain , but few SRs review ed cost-effectiveness and many found no data . Conclusions Only one SR studied MSK – MH comorbidity . Research priorities for complementary medicine for both MSK and MH ( LBP , OA , depression , anxiety and sleep problems ) are yoga , mindfulness and tai chi . Despite the large number of SRs and the prevalence of comorbidity , more high- quality , large r and omised controlled trials in comorbid population s are needed Background : The ancient mind and body healing methods of yoga recently sparked fervor in the scientific community as an alternative and complementary means of therapy . Since the World Health Organization officially began promoting yoga in developing countries in 1978 , yoga has been cited for its therapeutic potential and has been widely recognized in Western culture . However , as an increasing number of people practice yoga for remedial purpose s , research ers raise two important questions : 1 ) Is yoga a valid complementary management and rehabilitation treatment modality ? 2 ) What conditions show promise of treatment with this intervention ? . Objective : This review article uses comprehensive scientific , evidence -based studies to analyze the efficacy of various basic and applied aspects of yoga in disease prevention and health promotion . It specifically intends to expose the effects of yoga in neurological disorders , particularly epilepsy , stroke , multiple sclerosis , Alzheimer 's disease , peripheral nervous system disease , and fibromyalgia . Material s and Methods : Information was gathered from various re sources including PubMed , Ovid , MD-Consult , USC , and U.C.L.A. libraries . Studies were selected and review ed on the basis of sample size , control , r and omization , double-blinding , and statistical analysis of results . Results : The pratice of yoga and meditation demonstrates statistically encouraging physiological and psychological improvements in the aforementioned neurological disorders . However , there were certain flaws and inadequacies in the study design s employed to evaluate the same . A critical analysis of these studies is presented . Conclusions : With the aim to focus attention on this widespread yet largely unexamined treatment modality , this paper seeks to provide direction and support for further research necessary to vali date yoga as an integrative , alternative , and complementary therapy Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is a common , debilitating chronic condition in the United States and worldwide . Particularly in women , depressive symptoms are often accompanied by high levels of stress and ruminations , or repetitive self-critical negative thinking . There is a research and clinical imperative to evaluate complementary therapies that are acceptable and feasible for women with depression and that target specific aspects of depression in women , such as ruminations . To begin to address this need , we conducted a r and omized , controlled , mixed- methods community-based study comparing an 8-week yoga intervention with an attention-control activity in 27 women with MDD . After controlling for baseline stress , there was a decrease in depression over time in both the yoga group and the attention-control group , with the yoga group having a unique trend in decreased ruminations . Participants in the yoga group reported experiencing increased connectedness and gaining a coping strategy through yoga . The findings provide support for future large scale research to explore the effects of yoga for depressed women and the unique role of yoga in decreasing rumination CONTEXT Mood disorders are prevalent in people after stroke , and a disorder 's onset can exacerbate stroke-related disabilities . While evidence supports the mental-health benefits of participation in exercise and yoga , it is unknown whether such benefits extend to a population with poststroke hemiparesis . OBJECTIVE The study investigated whether supplementing exercise with participation in a yoga program would provide further improvements in self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety in a chronic poststroke population , and it also assessed trial feasibility for future studies . DESIGN The research team design ed a r and omized , controlled pilot trial that included an exercise-only group ( EX , control ) and a yoga- and -exercise group ( YEX , intervention ) . SETTING The study took place at the Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing an exercise rehabilitation and activity center at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in South Australia . PARTICIPANTS The participants included 14 individuals with chronic poststroke hemiparesis : eight in the intervention group and six in the control group . INTERVENTIONS The YEX group participated in a 6-week st and ardized program that included yoga in weekly group sessions and home practice in addition to exercise in a weekly group class . The EX group participated only in the group exercise class weekly for 6 weeks . OUTCOME MEASURES The research team assessed self-reported symptoms of depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale ( GDS15 ) and symptoms of anxiety and negative affect using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory ( STAI ) . The team based the feasibility evaluation on recruitment outcomes , retention of participants , participants ' compliance with the intervention program , and the safety of the intervention . RESULTS Changes in depression and state and trait anxiety did not significantly differ between intervention groups ( GDS15 P=.749 , STAI-Y1 , P=.595 , STAI-Y2 , P=.407 ) . Comparison of individuals ' case results indicated clinical ly relevant improvements in both groups , although members of the intervention group had greater improvements . Participants reported no adverse events , and the study experienced high retention of participants and high compliance in the yoga program . CONCLUSIONS This pilot study provides preliminary data on the effects of yoga combined with exercise to influence mood poststroke . It is a feasible , safe , and acceptable intervention , and the field requires additional investigations with a larger sample size Study Design . The effectiveness and efficacy of Iyengar yoga for chronic low back pain ( CLBP ) were assessed with intention-to-treat and per- protocol analysis . Ninety subjects were r and omized to a yoga ( n = 43 ) or control group ( n = 47 ) receiving st and ard medical care . Participants were followed 6 months after completion of the intervention . Objective . This study aim ed to evaluate Iyengar yoga therapy on chronic low back pain . Yoga subjects were hypothesized to report greater reductions in functional disability , pain intensity , depression , and pain medication usage than controls . Summary of Background Data . CLBP is a musculoskeletal disorder with public health and economic impact . Pilot studies of yoga and back pain have reported significant changes in clinical ly important outcomes . Methods . Subjects were recruited through self-referral and health professional referrals according to explicit inclusion /exclusion criteria . Yoga subjects participated in 24 weeks of biweekly yoga classes design ed for CLBP . Outcomes were assessed at 12 ( midway ) , 24 ( immediately after ) , and 48 weeks ( 6-month follow-up ) after the start of the intervention using the Oswestry Disability Question naire , a Visual Analog Scale , the Beck Depression Inventory , and a pain medication-usage question naire . Results . Using intention-to-treat analysis with repeated measures ANOVA ( group × time ) , significantly greater reductions in functional disability and pain intensity were observed in the yoga group when compared to the control group at 24 weeks . A significantly greater proportion of yoga subjects also reported clinical improvements at both 12 and 24 weeks . In addition , depression was significantly lower in yoga subjects . Furthermore , while a reduction in pain medication occurred , this was comparable in both groups . When results were analyzed using per- protocol analysis , improvements were observed for all outcomes in the yoga group , including agreater trend for reduced pain medication usage . Although slightly less than at 24 weeks , the yoga group had statistically significant reductions in functional disability , pain intensity , and depression compared to st and ard medical care 6-months postintervention . Conclusion . Yoga  improves functional disability , pain intensity , and depression in adults with CLBP . There was also a clinical ly important trend for the yoga group to reduce their pain medication usage compared to the control group BACKGROUND Current interventions for major depressive disorder ( MDD ) are suboptimal , and only one third respond to them on initial treatment . Neuroplasticity theories are the basis for several emerging treatments . Evidence on the impact of yoga , a well-known mind-body intervention , on neuroplasticity in MDD is limited . OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of 12-week yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention ( YMLI ) on depression severity and systemic biomarkers of neuroplasticity in adult MDD patients on routine drug treatment . METHODS A total of 58 MDD patients were r and omized into yoga or control group . The severity of depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory-II scale ( BDI-II ) . Blood sample s were collected before and after intervention for the measurement of the biomarkers that characterize neuroplasticity , including mind-body communicative and cellular health biomarkers . RESULTS There was a significant decrease [ difference between means , ( 95 % CI ) ] in BDI-II score [ -5.83 ( -7.27 , -4.39 ) , p < 0.001 ] and significant increase in BDNF ( ng/ml ) [ 5.48 ( 3.50 , 7.46 ) , p < 0.001 ] after YMLI compared to control group . YMLI significantly increased DHEAS , sirtuin 1 , and telomerase activity levels , and decreased cortisol , and IL-6 levels , in addition to decreasing DNA damage and balancing oxidative stress . Multiple regression analyses were used to associate neuroplasticity biomarkers with depression severity . A ' post-intervention change in BDNF ' x ' group ' interaction indicated that yoga group had more BDNF in association with less BDI-II scores relative to controls . Increased sirtuin 1 and telomerase activity and decreased cortisol significantly predicted this association ( all p < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION These results suggest that decrease in depression severity after YMLI in MDD is associated with improved systemic biomarkers of neuroplasticity . Thus YMLI can be considered as a therapeutic intervention in MDD management
Compared to aerobic exercise , no short- or medium-term group differences in depression severity was found .
Higher short-term depression severity was found for yoga compared to electro-convulsive therapy ;  remission rates did not differ between groups .
No short-term group differences occurred when yoga was compared to antidepressant medication .
Conflicting evidence was found when yoga was compared to attention-control interventions , or when yoga as an add-on to antidepressant medication was compared to medication alone .
This review found some evidence for positive effects beyond placebo and comparable effects compared to evidence -based interventions .
BACKGROUND The purpose of this review was to investigate the efficacy and safety of yoga interventions in treating patients with major depressive disorder .