Effect of adjunct yoga therapy in depressive disorders: Findings from a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background:Depression causes significant burden both to the individual and to society, and its treatment by antidepressants has various disadvantages. There is preliminary evidence that adds on yoga therapy improves depression by impacting the neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of mood, motivation, and pleasure. Our study aimed to find the effect of adjunctive yoga therapy on outcome of depression and comorbid anxiety.Materials and Methods:A randomized controlled study involving patients with major depressive disorder (n = 80) were allocated to two groups, one received standard therapy (antidepressants and counseling) and the other received adjunct yoga therapy along with standard therapy. Ratings of depression and anxiety were done using Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 10th and 30th day. Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale was applied at baseline and 30th day to view the severity of illness and clinical improvement.Results:By the 30th day, individuals in the yoga group had significantly lower scores of depression, anxiety, and CGI scores, in comparison to the control group. The individuals in the yoga group had a significant fall in depression scores and significant clinical improvement, compared to the control group, from baseline to 30th day and 10th to 30th day. In addition, the individuals in the yoga group had a significant fall in anxiety scores from baseline to 10th day.Conclusion:Anxiety starts to improve with short-term yoga sessions, while long-term yoga therapy is likely to be beneficial in the treatment of depression.

The effectiveness of mindfulness yoga on patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…The nine RCTs in the review were published between 2005 and 2022, detailed elements of these interventions are presented in Supplementary Table 2 . Three studies were from the USA [ 54 – 56 ], two was from Germany [ 57 , 58 ], one was from Netherlands [ 59 ], and the other three from India [ 20 , 31 , 60 ]. One study included both major depressive disorder and dysthymia participants [ 54 ].…”

“…One study included both major depressive disorder and dysthymia participants [ 54 ]. Three studies included participants with current depression [ 56 , 58 , 60 ].…”

“…The intervention were primarily practiced in a supine posture, prone sitting position, and standing [ 31 ], with exception of one study which included a special session that was practiced only in a sitting pose, with hands movement at different positions and closed eyes. Besides, mindful practice of the body parts, also called body scan, was regarded as a form of relaxation, an approach practiced from the toes to the top of the head [ 55 , 60 ]. Mindfulness of body, mind, thoughts, emotions and even eating were also involved within studies [ 55 ].…”

“…Two articles [ 55 , 59 ] clearly stated that it was mindfulness-based yoga, one [ 57 ] was based on body-oriented Ashtanga yoga, one [ 20 ] was Sahaj yoga, one was based on classical yoga [ 58 ], and the other [ 31 ] was not stated. The final study indicated that they provided personalized yoga exercises, which do not fit into any yoga classification [ 60 ]. Within our review, some authors described the process and duration of the exercise in great detail [ 54 ], whilst others did not.…”

“…Furthermore, random sequence generation and allocation concealment were assessed as inadequate or unclear in included studies. In three of our studies, blinding of participants and personnel was judged high risk [ 54 , 57 , 60 ], whereas in two trials this was deemed ambiguous [ 20 , 31 ]. Incomplete outcome data were rated as uncertain in one study [ 31 ] and as high risk in two others [ 57 , 60 ], with selective reporting of depression noted in one study [ 31 ].…”