Yoga Medical News Daily

Hatha yoga for depression: still up in the air

This review focused on the evidence for the efficacy of hatha yoga for depression and possible mechanisms by which yoga may have an impact on depression. 

The researchers did a literature search for clinical trials examining yoga for depression and uncovered eight trials: 5 including individuals with clinical depression, and 3 for individuals with elevated depression symptoms. "Although results from these trials are encouraging, they should be viewed as very preliminary because the trials, as a group, suffered from substantial methodological limitations." The authors argue that there are several reasons to consider constructing careful research on yoga for depression and detail their reasons for continued research.

Abstract: PubMed. "Hatha yoga for depression: critical review of the evidence for efficacy, plausible mechanisms of action, and directions for future research," Journal of Psychiatric Practice [2010 Jan;16(1):22-33]

Effect of Therapeutic Yoga on Balance and the Ability to Transfer from the Floor in an Older Adult Population

The purpose of this study, described in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy (2009: 19;1: 60-77),"was to determine if a therapeutic Yoga program could improve the ability of older adults to transfer from the floor. The study also examined how balance, quadriceps strength, and ankle flexibility influence transfer ability in older adults." Participants ranged in age from 58 to 83. The intervention involving a 13-week therapeutic Hatha Yoga program produced results that showed improvement "across all measures. Specifically, a paired sample t-test revealed significant improvement in participants' ability to transfer from the floor (t = 11.25, p <. 001) with a large magnitude of effect (d = 1.36). These improvements were reflected by participants' own perception of their transfer ability and general level of fitness. A series of nested regression models revealed balance and quadriceps strength to be the largest contributors to transfer ability." Abstract.

Yoga as an intervention for stress reduction and enhanced wellbeing in African American athletes

This doctoral dissertation by Jennifer Fallon (Utah State University, 2009) "explored the preventive impact of a brief Hatha yoga program on stress-reduction and enhanced wellbeing in a sample of healthy African American college athletes. African Americans suffer higher rates of hypertension and sudden cardiac death syndrome, both linked to stress. Study design was single case, with six replications, utilizing comparison of pre- and post-intervention scores on physiological and psychological indicators of distress and wellbeing."  The author concludes that "Given the brevity and cost-effectiveness of the intervention, limited positive results suggest more intensive studies are warranted." Abstract and full-text PDF for download at:  PQDT Open.

Effectiveness of Hatha Yoga on . . . Wellbeing in Female Health Care Employees

This recent dissertation by Karen D. Dunn, George Mason University, College of Education and Human Development, points out that "Wilcoxon tests indicated that overall, participants experienced a significant improvement in self-efficacy from baseline to post-treatment. In addition, the women in this sample reported growth over time for anxiety symptoms and self-efficacy." PDF copy of the dissertation.

Effects of selected asanas in hatha yoga on agility and flexibility level

Thirty male students ranging in age from 18-25 were involved in this study in which members of the control group were subjected to a six-week yoga asanas training program. The conclusions, published in Citius Altius Fortius: Journal of Physical Education and Sport (2009; vol. 23, issue 2, pp. 116-124), showed that the control group had significant improvement in flexibility and agility. Abstract. Full text.