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The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of yoga therapy (YT) on health outcomes of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Interventional studies, with postmenarchal and premenopausal females with PCOS who received YT, with any health outcome reported, were included. Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Medline databases were electronically searched. Systematic review included 11 experimental studies, representing 515 participants with PCOS, out of which 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included for meta-analysis. Random effects model was applied using Review Manager Software version 5.4.1 and strength of evidence was assessed using GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool, 2020. Meta-analysis showed that YT may significantly decrease menstrual irregularity (MD −.41, 95% CI −.74 to −.08), clinical hyperandrogenism (MD −.70, 95% CI −1.15 to −.26), fasting blood glucose (MD −.22 mmol/L, 95% CI −.44 to −.01), fasting insulin (MD −28.21 pmol/L, 95% CI −43.79 to −12.63), and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance value (MD −.86, 95% CI −1.29 to −.43). Strength of evidence was “low.” In conclusion, YT may have beneficial effects on health outcomes in women suffering from PCOS. However, low strength of evidence suggests need of conducting well-designed RCTs to assess the efficacy of YT for PCOS.

Background. Obesity adversely affects quality of life which then acts as a barrier to weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Hence, those interventions which positively influence the quality of life along with weight reduction are considered useful for sustained weight loss in persons with obesity. An earlier study showed better quality of life in obese adults who had experience of yoga compared to yoga naïve obese adults. However, the main limitation of the study was the small sample size (n=20 in each group). Objective. The present study aimed to determine whether with larger sample sizes the quality of life would differ in yoga experienced compared to yoga naïve adults with obesity. Methods. There were 596 Asian Indian obese adults (age range 20 to 59 years; group mean age ± SD; 43.9 ± 9.9 years): of whom (i) 298 were yoga experienced (154 females; group mean age ± SD; 44.0 ± 9.8 years) with a minimum of 1 month of experience in yoga practice and (ii) 298 were yoga naïve (154 females; group mean age ± SD; 43.8 ± 10.0 years). All the participants were assessed for quality of life using the Moorehead–Ardelt quality of life questionnaire II. Data were drawn from a larger nationwide trial which assessed the effects of yoga compared to nutritional advice on obesity over a one-year follow-up period (CTRI/2018/05/014077). Results. There were higher participant-reported outcomes for four out of six aspects of quality of life in the yoga experienced compared to the yoga naïve (p<0.008, based on t values of the least squares linear regression analyses, Bonferroni adjusted, and adjusted for age, gender, and BMI as covariates). These were enjoyment in physical activities, ability to work, self-esteem, and social satisfaction. Conclusion. Obese adults with yoga experience appear to have better quality of life in specific aspects, compared to yoga naïve persons with a comparable degree of obesity.

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Background The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of yoga therapy (YT) on health outcomes of women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Interventional studies, with postmenarchal and premenopausal females with PCOS who received YT, with any health outcome reported, were included. Methods Scopus, Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE and, MEDLINE databases were electronically searched. Systematic review included 11 experimental studies, representing 515 participants with PCOS, out of which 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT’s) were included for meta-analysis. Random effects model was applied using Review Manager Software Version 5.4.1 and strength of evidence was assessed using GRADEpro Guideline Development Tool, 2020. This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number CRD42021229619. Results Meta-analysis showed that YT may significantly decrease menstrual irregularity (MD -0.41, 95% CI -0.74 to -0.08), clinical hyperandrogenism (MD -0.70, 95% CI -1.15 to -0.26), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (MD -0.22 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.44 to -0.01), fasting insulin (FI) (MD -28.21 pmol/L, 95% CI -43.79 to -12.63) and HOMA-IR value (MD -0.86, 95% CI -1.29 to -0.43). Strength of evidence was low. Conclusions YT may have beneficial effects on health outcomes in women suffering from PCOS. However, low strength of evidence suggests need of conducting well-designed RCT’s to assess the efficacy of YT for PCOS. Key messages This systematic review and meta-analysis adds to the knowledge about effects of YT on health outcomes of women with PCOS.