Mind- and Body-Based Interventions Improve Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 intervention studies found clinically relevant mean reductions in HbA1c (-0.84%) and fasting blood glucose (-22.81 mg/dL) with mind-body practices in type 2 diabetes, including statistically significant subgroup signals for MBSR, qigong, and yoga.
Design
SR + MA; Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov through 10 Jun 2022; 28 studies (587 screened); random-effects mean differences.
Glycemic endpoints (abstract-reported)
- HbA1c (overall): MD −0.84% (95% CI −1.10 to −0.58; p < 0.0001)
- MBSR: −0.48% (−0.72 to −0.23; p = 0.03)
- Qigong: −0.66% (−1.18 to −0.14; p = 0.01)
- Yoga: −1.00% (−1.38 to −0.63; p < 0.0001)
- FBG (overall): MD −22.81 mg/dL (95% CI −33.07 to −12.55; p < 0.0001)
Dose theme (yoga frequency; meta-regression)
+1 day/week of yoga practice associated with −0.22% additional mean HbA1c change (95% CI −0.44 to −0.003; p = 0.046); no significant regression slope for FBG vs weekly yoga days in the abstract.
Evidence hygiene
Pooled mind–body umbrella—do not merge effect sizes across yoga vs seated mindfulness arms without reading primary trials; this row is a complementary glycemic literature anchor next to oral glucose-lowering care standards.
Publication
Sanogo F, Xu K, Cortessis VK, et al. J Integr Complement Med. 2023 Feb;29(2):77-94. Epub 2022 Sep 7. PMID 36070591.
Outcomes
- HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)-0.84% (Absolute Change)
- Fasting blood glucose mean difference −22.81 mg/dL (95% CI −33.07 to −12.55; p < 0.0001) vs controls; yoga subgroup HbA1c −1.00% (95% CI −1.38 to −0.63; p < 0.0001).