Yoga may ease depressive symptoms in people with diagnosed
mental disorders. The more weekly sessions completed, the greater the effects
are likely to be, according to a new study.
A total of 19 relevant international clinical trials held in
the United States, India, Japan, China, Germany and Sweden were analyzed as
part of the systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research. The
finding has been published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
“This is a great result to now encourage people who might be
thinking about trying Yoga that there’s some scientific evidence that it can be
effective for helping reduce depressive symptoms,” said exercise physiologist
and study author Jacinta Brinsley, a doctoral candidate at the University of
South Australia.
The new analysis found the number of sessions per week
moderated the effect of Yoga on depressive symptoms. According to experts, the
finding can be made a basis for design of future Yoga interventions targeted at
depressive symptoms in people with mental orders. Interventions should aim to
increase frequency of their sessions per week, as opposed to the duration of
each session or the overall duration of the intervention.
People living with mental disorders commonly experience
depressive symptoms. For instance, 25 per cent of people diagnosed with
schizophrenia and 81 per cent of those diagnosed with anxiety disorder have
depression, the leading cause of disability worldwide with over 340 million being
affected.
“Exercise has always been a great strategy for people
struggling with these feelings as it boosts both mood and health. But as gyms
and exercise classes of all kinds are now closed. People are looking for
alternatives, and this is where yoga can help,” Brinsley added.
Participants did an average of one to two weekly yoga
sessions between 20 and 90 minutes long, in which at least half the session was
physical movement. The Yoga sessions were continued for an average of 2.5
months in the studies.
The results showed that Yoga moderately eased depressive
symptoms compared with no or self-help treatment across the mental health
spectrum, with some conditions benefiting more than others. The effects were
most noticeable for depression and schizophrenia, and to some extent, for
alcohol misuse.
