← All sources
Yoga for anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Meta-analysis of eight RCTs (n=319) in anxiety disorders or elevated anxiety: small short-term standardized mean reduction in anxiety versus no treatment (SMD −0.43) and a larger but imprecise effect versus active comparators (SMD −0.86); small depression benefit versus no treatment (SMD −0.35).
Design
- PRISMA-style systematic review; databases through Oct 2016
- Included: 8 RCTs; 319 participants with anxiety disorders or elevated anxiety
- Comparators: no treatment, active therapies
Meta-analytic signals (abstract)
- Anxiety vs no treatment: SMD −0.43 (95% CI −0.74 to −0.11; P = .008)
- Anxiety vs active comparators: SMD −0.86 (95% CI −1.56 to −0.15; P = .02)
- Depression vs no treatment: SMD −0.35 (95% CI −0.66 to −0.04; P = .03)
Evidence hygiene
- High heterogeneity and mixed active comparator classes—read forest plots before inferring superiority to specific therapies.
Publication
Cramer H, Lauche R, Anheyer D, et al. Depress Anxiety. 2018 Sep;35(9):830–43. PMID 29697885.
Outcomes
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.43d (Cohen's d)
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.86d (Cohen's d)
- Effect Size (Cohen's d / SMD)-0.35d (Cohen's d)