INDIVIDUALIZED YOGA FOR REDUCING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, AND IMPROVING WELL-BEING: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of an individualized yoga intervention on reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to usual care alone.
Results Summary
The study found statistically significant reductions in depression scores and improvements in mental health, well-being, and resilience for the yoga group compared to the control group, though anxiety reduction was not statistically significant. Benefits were maintained at the 6-week follow-up.
Population
101 people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (6-week yoga intervention).
Duration
6 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
yoga intervention | decrease | depression scores | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | -4.30; 95% CI: -7.70, -0.01; P = .01; ES -.44 | statistically significant differences between yoga and control groups on reduction of | #1 |
yoga intervention | no change | anxiety scores | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | -1.91; 95% CI: -4.58, 0.76; P = .16 | Differences in reduced | #2 |
yoga intervention | decrease | total DASS | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | P = .03 | Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on | #3 |
yoga intervention | decrease | K10 | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | P < .01 | Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on | #4 |
yoga intervention | increase | SF12 mental health | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | P < .01 | Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on | #5 |
yoga intervention | increase | SPANE | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | P < .01 | Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on | #6 |
yoga intervention | increase | FS | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | P < .01 | Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on | #7 |
yoga intervention | increase | resilience scores | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | P < .01 | Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on | #8 |
yoga intervention | no change | stress scores | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | not statistically significant | Differences in | #9 |
yoga intervention | no change | SF12 physical health scores | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | not statistically significant | Differences in | #10 |
yoga plus regular care | decrease | symptoms of depression | people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety | - | was effective in reducing | #11 |
BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are leading causes of disability worldwide. Current treatments are primarily pharmaceutical and psychological. Questions remain about effectiveness and suitability for different people. Previous research suggests potential benefits of yoga for reducing depression and anxiety. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an individualized yoga intervention. METHODS: A sample of 101 people with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing a 6-week yoga intervention with waitlist control. Yoga was additional to usual treatment. The control group was offered the yoga following the waitlist period. Measures included Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Short-Form Health Survey (SF12), Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), Flourishing Scale (FS), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC2). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between yoga and control groups on reduction of depression scores (-4.30; 95% CI: -7.70, -0.01; P = .01; ES -.44). Differences in reduced anxiety scores were not statistically significant (-1.91; 95% CI: -4.58, 0.76; P = .16). Statistically significant differences in favor of yoga were also found on total DASS (P = .03), K10, SF12 mental health, SPANE, FS, and resilience scores (P < .01 for each). Differences in stress and SF12 physical health scores were not statistically significant. Benefits were maintained at 6-week follow-up. CONCLUSION: Yoga plus regular care was effective in reducing symptoms of depression compared with regular care alone. Further investigation is warranted regarding potential benefits in anxiety. Individualized yoga may be particularly beneficial in mental health care in the broader community.