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Effects of yoga on depressive symptoms in people with mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials (search to May 2019): physically active yoga (≥50% asana) in adults with DSM-classified mental disorders showed greater reductions in depressive symptoms than waitlist, treatment-as-usual, or attention controls (pooled SMD ≈ −0.41, p<0.001 across 13 trials, n=632 in meta-analysis).

Design

  • PROSPERO: CRD42018090441
  • Included: RCTs with ≥50% physically active yoga in adults with DSM-III/IV/5 disorders
  • Comparators: waitlist, treatment as usual, attention control

Results (abstract)

  • Systematic review: 19 trials (1080 participants)
  • Meta-analysis: 13 trials (632 participants)
  • Primary pooled signal: standardised mean difference ≈ −0.41 (p < 0.001) favouring yoga on depressive symptom scales versus controls (PubMed abstract reports CI as −0.65 to −0.17 around that point estimate—verify in full text)
  • Meta-regression: higher sessions/week associated with larger pooled benefits (β = −0.44, p < 0.01)

Evidence hygiene

  • Mental-disorder–specific evidence base—do not flatten into general Goyal MBSR pools on meditation-practice without reading disorder mix and comparator types.

Publication

Brinsley J, Schuch F, Lederman O, et al. Br J Sports Med. 2021 Sep;55(17):992-1000. PMID 32423912.

Outcomes

  • Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)
    -0.41
    d (Cohen's d)
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