Adjunctive yoga v. health education for persistent major depression: a randomized controlled trial. Feasibility, acceptability, and effects of gentle Hatha yoga for women with major depression: findings from a randomized controlled mixed-methods study. Efficacy of yoga as an add-on treatment for in-patients with functional psychotic disorder Yoga on Our Minds: A Systematic Review of Yoga for Neuropsychiatric Disorders Yoga for heart failure patients: a feasibility pilot study with a multiethnic population. Effect of Sahaj Yoga on depressive disorders. Feasibility Study: The Effect of Therapeutic Yoga on Quality of Life in Children Hospitalized With Cancer Treating major depression with yoga: A prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial Randomized Controlled Trial of Yoga for Chronic Poststroke Hemiparesis: Motor Function, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Outcomes Open Trial of Vinyasa Yoga for Persistently Depressed Individuals: Evidence of Feasibility and Acceptability A responder analysis of the effects of yoga for individuals with COPD: who benefits and how? A randomized controlled bicenter trial of yoga for patients with colorectal cancer. A randomized controlled pilot study of the therapeutic effects of yoga in people with Parkinson's disease Overview of Systematic Reviews: Yoga as a Therapeutic Intervention for Adults with Acute and Chronic Health Conditions Influence of yoga on mood states, distress, quality of life and immune outcomes in early stage breast cancer patients undergoing surgery A yoga intervention for young adults with elevated symptoms of depression. A Yoga Intervention for Posttraumatic Stress: A Preliminary Randomized Control Trial
BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine whether hatha yoga is an efficacious adjunctive intervention for individuals with continued depressive symptoms despite antidepressant treatment . METHOD We conducted a r and omized controlled trial of weekly yoga classes ( n = 63 ) v. health education classes ( Healthy Living Workshop ; HLW ; n = 59 ) in individuals with elevated depression symptoms and antidepressant medication use . HLW served as an attention-control group . The intervention period was 10 weeks , with follow-up assessment s 3 and 6 months afterwards . The primary outcome was depression symptom severity assessed by blind rater at 10 weeks . Secondary outcomes included depression symptoms over the entire intervention and follow-up periods , social and role functioning , general health perceptions , pain , and physical functioning . RESULTS At 10 weeks , we did not find a statistically significant difference between groups in depression symptoms ( b = -0.82 , s.e . = 0.88 , p = 0.36 ) . However , over the entire intervention and follow-up period , when controlling for baseline , yoga participants showed lower levels of depression than HLW participants ( b = -1.38 , s.e . = 0.57 , p = 0.02 ) . At 6-month follow-up , 51 % of yoga participants demonstrated a response ( ⩾50 % reduction in depression symptoms ) compared with 31 % of HLW participants ( odds ratio = 2.31 ; p = 0.04 ) . Yoga participants showed significantly better social and role functioning and general health perceptions over time . CONCLUSIONS Although we did not see a difference in depression symptoms at the end of the intervention period , yoga participants showed fewer depression symptoms over the entire follow-up period . Benefits of yoga may accumulate over time Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is a common , debilitating chronic condition in the United States and worldwide . Particularly in women , depressive symptoms are often accompanied by high levels of stress and ruminations , or repetitive self-critical negative thinking . There is a research and clinical imperative to evaluate complementary therapies that are acceptable and feasible for women with depression and that target specific aspects of depression in women , such as ruminations . To begin to address this need , we conducted a r and omized , controlled , mixed- methods community-based study comparing an 8-week yoga intervention with an attention-control activity in 27 women with MDD . After controlling for baseline stress , there was a decrease in depression over time in both the yoga group and the attention-control group , with the yoga group having a unique trend in decreased ruminations . Participants in the yoga group reported experiencing increased connectedness and gaining a coping strategy through yoga . The findings provide support for future large scale research to explore the effects of yoga for depressed women and the unique role of yoga in decreasing rumination Context : The efficacy of yoga as an intervention for in- patients with psychosis is as yet unknown ; although , previous studies have shown efficacy in stabilized out- patients with schizophrenia . Aim : This study aim ed to compare the effect of add-on yoga therapy or physical exercise along with st and ard pharmacotherapy in the treatment of in- patients with psychosis . Setting s and Design : This study was performed in an in-patient setting using a r and omized controlled single blind design . Material s and Methods : A total of 88 consenting in- patients with psychosis were r and omized into yoga therapy group ( n=44 ) and physical exercise group ( n=44 ) . Sixty patients completed the study period of 1½ months . Patients who completed in the yoga group ( n=35 ) and in the exercise group ( n=25 ) were similar on the demographic profile , illness parameters and psychopathology scores at baseline . Results : The two treatment groups were not different on the clinical syndrome scores at the end of 2 weeks . At the end of 6 weeks , patients in the yoga group however had lower mean scores on Clinical Global Impression Severity ( CGIS ) , Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale ( total and general psychopathology subscale ) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HDRS ) ( P<0.05 ) . Repeated measure analysis of variance detected an advantage for yoga over exercise in reducing the clinical CGIS and HDRS scores . Conclusion : Adding yoga intervention to st and ard pharmacological treatment is feasible and may be beneficial even in the early and acute stage of psychosis Background : The dem and for clinical ly efficacious , safe , patient acceptable , and cost-effective forms of treatment for mental illness is growing . Several studies have demonstrated benefit from yoga in specific psychiatric symptoms and a general sense of well-being . Objective : To systematic ally examine the evidence for efficacy of yoga in the treatment of selected major psychiatric disorders . Methods : Electronic search es of The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the st and ard bibliographic data bases , MEDLINE , EMBASE , and PsycINFO , were performed through April 2011 and an up date d in June 2011 using the keywords yoga AND psychiatry OR depression OR anxiety OR schizophrenia OR cognition OR memory OR attention AND r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) . Studies with yoga as the independent variable and one of the above mentioned terms as the dependent variable were included and exclusion criteria were applied . Results : The search yielded a total of 124 trials , of which 16 met rigorous criteria for the final review . Grade B evidence supporting a potential acute benefit for yoga exists in depression ( four RCTs ) , as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in schizophrenia ( three RCTs ) , in children with ADHD ( two RCTs ) , and Grade C evidence in sleep complaints ( three RCTs ) . RCTs in cognitive disorders and eating disorders yielded conflicting results . No studies looked at primary prevention , relapse prevention , or comparative effectiveness versus pharmacotherapy . Conclusion : There is emerging evidence from r and omized trials to support popular beliefs about yoga for depression , sleep disorders , and as an augmentation therapy . Limitations of literature include inability to do double-blind studies , multiplicity of comparisons within small studies , and lack of replication . Biomarker and neuroimaging studies , those comparing yoga with st and ard pharmaco- and psychotherapies , and studies of long-term efficacy are needed to fully translate the promise of yoga for enhancing mental health BACKGROUND Congestive heart failure ( CHF ) is highly prevalent and the most costly cardiovascular illness in the United States . Yoga is known to be effective in lowering stress , lessening depression , and increasing physical fitness and may be used as an adjuvant management program for CHF patients . PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility of a yoga intervention program among a multiethnic CHF population living in underserved neighborhoods . METHODS Uncontrolled intervention trial . SETTING Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers , Richmond and Oakl and , California . PARTICIPANTS 14 CHF patients ( 7 female ) , mean age 64 ( SD=6.4 ) years , and 62 % African-American . INTERVENTION Eight-week , 2x/week , 1-hr yoga classes that included meditation , breathing exercises , gentle yoga poses , and relaxation . PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES The intervention feasibility was measured by recruitment rates , participant retention and adherence . Body weight and self-reported depression and quality of life were measured before and after the intervention . RESULTS Among the 14 patients enrolled , 13 completed the intervention . Of those who completed the trial , 92 % attended at least 50 % of the classes . There was a significant reduction in weight ( -3.5 lb , p=0.01 ) and improvement in the severity of depression ( p<0.05 ) , as well as a trend toward increased quality of life ( p=08 ) . No adverse events were observed . CONCLUSIONS This pilot trial demonstrates that it is feasible for patients with CHF to incorporate yoga into their lifestyle . Yoga may help with routine disease management , prevention of fluid retention , and improvement of depression and quality of life . A larger trial is needed to confirm efficacy and to determine the long-term effects on other important outcomes , such as hospital re-admission rates or prognostic biomarkers Sahaj Yoga is a meditative technique that has been found to have beneficial effects in some psycho-somatic illnesses . The study was carried out on 30 cases ( 19 Males , 11 females , age 18 - 45 years ) of major depression diagnosed on the basis of DSM IV criteria . The patients were then r and omly divided into two groups : Group 1 : ( 10 Males & 5 Females ) Patients who were practising Sahaj Yoga and also received conventional anti-depressants . Group 2 : ( 9 Males & 6 Females ) Patients who were only receiving conventional anti-depressants .  Training in Sahaj yoga was conducted under the supervision of a trained Sahaj Yogi for 8 weeks . At start of the study , all the patients were subjected to Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAM-D ) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety ( HAM-A ) . Above scales were again assessed after two months of treatment . There was significant improvement in HAM-D as well as HAM-A scores in both Group 1 and Group 2 patients ( P<0.001 ) . However , percentage improvement in HAM-D scores and HAM-A scores in patients receiving Sahaj Yoga was significantly higher than in Group 2 patients . The number of patients who went into remission after two months of intervention were also significantly higher in Group 1 patients ( P=0.02 ) . The present study demonstrates that Sahaj Yoga has got a potential role as a component in the management of depressive disorders Purpose : To describe the effect of therapeutic yoga on child and parental reports of quality of life in children hospitalized with oncological diagnoses . Methods : Six children participated in 5 yoga sessions  over 2 months . The PedsQL 4.0 was administered to each child and participating parent/caregivers at baseline and after completion of the yoga intervention . The Wilcoxon nonparametric rank test measured individual differences over time . Results : Statistically significant differences ( P < .05 ) were found in child perception of gross motor function . Conclusion : These feasibility study data suggest that therapeutic yoga positively affected child perception of gross motor function measured on the PedsQL 4.0 . Further studies are needed , including a r and omized control trial and with a larger number of participants , to clarify and confirm the effect of therapeutic yoga Background Conventional pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies for major depression are associated with limited adherence to care and relatively low remission rates . Yoga may offer an alternative treatment option , but rigorous studies are few . This r and omized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessors examined an 8-week hatha yoga intervention as mono-therapy for mild-to-moderate major depression . Methods Investigators recruited 38 adults in San Francisco meeting criteria for major depression of mild-to-moderate severity , per structured psychiatric interview and scores of 14–28 on Beck Depression Inventory-II ( BDI ) . At screening , individuals engaged in psychotherapy , antidepressant pharmacotherapy , herbal or nutraceutical mood therapies , or mind-body practice s were excluded . Participants were 68 % female , with mean age 43.4 years ( SD = 14.8 , range = 22–72 ) , and mean BDI score 22.4 ( SD = 4.5 ) . Twenty participants were r and omized to 90-minute hatha yoga practice groups twice weekly for 8 weeks . Eighteen participants were r and omized to 90-minute attention control education groups twice weekly for 8 weeks . Certified yoga instructors delivered both interventions at a university clinic . Primary outcome was depression severity , measured by BDI scores every 2 weeks from baseline to 8 weeks . Secondary outcomes were self-efficacy and self-esteem , measured by scores on the General Self-Efficacy Scale ( GSES ) and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale ( RSES ) at baseline and at 8 weeks . Results In intent-to-treat analysis , yoga participants exhibited significantly greater 8-week decline in BDI scores  than controls ( p-value = 0.034 ) . In sub-analyses of participants completing final 8-week measures , yoga participants were more likely to achieve remission , defined per final BDI score ≤ 9 ( p-value = 0.018 ) . Effect size of yoga in reducing BDI scores was large , per Cohen ’s d = -0.96 [ 95%CI , -1.81 to -0.12 ] . Intervention groups did not differ significantly in 8-week change scores for either the GSES or RSES . Conclusion In adults with mild-to-moderate major depression , an 8-week hatha yoga intervention result ed in statistically and clinical ly significant reductions in depression severity . Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov Abstract Purpose : To assess the efficacy of yoga for motor function , mental health , and quality of life outcomes in persons with chronic poststroke hemiparesis . Method : Twenty-two individuals participated in a r and omized controlled trial involving assessment of task-orientated function , balance , mobility , depression , anxiety , and quality of life domains before and after either a 10-week yoga intervention ( n = 11 ) or no treatment ( n = 11 ) . Results : The yoga intervention did not result in any significant improvements in objective motor function measures , however there was a significant improvement in quality of life associated with perceived motor function ( P = .0001 ) and improvements in perceived recovery approached significance ( P = .072 ) . Memory-related quality of life scores significantly improved after yoga intervention ( P = .022 ) , and those participating in the intervention exhibited clinical ly relevant decreases in state and trait anxiety . Conclusions : Preliminary results offer promise for yoga as an intervention to address mental health and quality of life in persons with stroke-related activity limitations . There is a need to more rigorously evaluate these yoga benefits with a larger r and omized controlled trial , which , based on this preliminary trial , is feasible The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of Vinyasa yoga as an adjunctive treatment for depressed patients who were not responding adequately to antidepressant medication . The authors also planned to ask participants for qualitative feedback on their experience of the class and to assess change over time in depression and in possible mediating variables . The authors recruited 11 participants in 1 month for an 8-week open trial of yoga classes . They found that 10 participants completed follow-up assessment s , 9 of 10 were positive about their experience , and all provided feedback about what was and was not helpful about yoga , as well as barriers to class attendance . Over the 2-month period , participants exhibited significant decreases in depression symptoms and significant increases in an aspect of mindfulness and in behavior activation . This pilot study provided support for continuing to investigate Vinyasa yoga as an adjunct treatment for depression . The next step required is a rigorous r and omized clinical trial BACKGROUND We previously reported that a twice-weekly , modified Iyengar yoga program was a safe and viable self-management strategy for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) . 1 OBJECTIVE The primary purpose of this exploratory analysis was to classify yoga participants into 1 of 3 responder categories by using minimum clinical ly important difference ( MCID ) criteria for each of 3 variables : 6-minute walk distance ( 6MW ) , distress related to dyspnea ( shortness of breath ; DD ) , and functional performance ( FPI ) . Changes in health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) and in psychological well-being ( anxiety and depression ) , and participants ' self-reported improvements by responder category were also examined . A secondary goal was to identify baseline participant characteristics , including initial r and omization assignment that might predict response to treatment . METHODS Participants were r and omly assigned to either an initial yoga ( IY ) or an enhanced wait-list control ( WLC ) group . Those in the WLC group were offered the yoga program immediately following the IY group 's participation . Individuals from both groups who completed at least 18 of 24 yoga classes were categorized as responders , partial responders , or non-responders for each of the 3 outcome variables ( 6MW , DD , FPI ) on the basis of MCID criteria . Baseline characteristics and changes in HRQL and psychological well-being were also analyzed . RESULTS None of the participants demonstrated MCIDs for all 3 outcomes ; however , 6 were classified as responders for 2 out-come variables and 4 were classified as non-responders for all 3 outcome variables . Two-thirds of the female participant group and one-third of the male participant group completed the yoga program . DD responders showed increased anxiety levels , whereas anxiety levels of the DD non-responders remained unchanged . FPI responders reported significant improvements in physical function , whereas partial and non-FPI responders noted declined function . Participants assigned to the IY group demonstrated greater benefit from yoga than did those in the W LC group . CONCLUSIONS Although this modified Iyengar yoga program appears to have benefited some individuals with COPD , further studies are required to assess who the intervention works for and under what conditions OBJECTIVE The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of yoga on health-related quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer . METHODS Patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer were r and omly assigned to a 10-week yoga intervention ( 90 min once weekly ) or a waitlist control group . Primary outcome measure was disease-specific quality of life ( Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Colorectal [ FACT-C ] ) at week 10 . Secondary outcome measures included FACT-C subscales : spiritual well-being ( FACT - Spirituality ) ; fatigue ( FACT - Fatigue ) ; sleep disturbances ( Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory ) ; depression and anxiety ( Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ) ; body awareness ( Scale of Body Connection ) ; and body-efficacy expectations ( Body-Efficacy Expectations Scale ) . Outcomes were assessed at week 10 and week 22 after r and omization . RESULTS Fifty-four patients ( mean age 68.3 ± 9.7 years ) were r and omized to  yoga  ( n = 27 ; attrition rate 22.2 % ) and control group ( n = 27 ; attrition rate 18.5 % ) . Patients in the yoga group attended a mean of 5.3 ± 4.0 yoga classes . No significant group differences for the FACT-C total score were found . Group differences were found for emotional well-being at week 22 ( ∆ = 1.59 ; 95 % CI = 0.27,2.90 ; p = 0.019 ) , sleep disturbances at week 22 ( ∆ = -1.08 ; 95 % CI = -2.13 , -0.03 ; p = 0.043 ) , anxiety at week 10 ( ∆ = -1.14 ; 95 % CI = -2.20 , -0.09 ; p = 0.043 ) , and depression at week 10 ( ∆ = -1.34 ; 95 % CI = -2.61 , -0.8 ; p = 0.038 ) . No serious adverse events occurred in the yoga group , while liver metastases were diagnosed in one patient in the control group . CONCLUSION This r and omized trial found no effects of yoga on health-related quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer . Given the high attrition rate and low intervention adherence , no definite conclusions can be drawn from this trial Background : Exercise can be beneficial for cardiopulmonary , musculoskeletal or neurological systems , and other factors including mood , and may be beneficial in reducing fall risks , dementia and variables associated with quality of life ( QOL ) . Parkinson 's disease ( PD ) produces progressive motor and cognitive deterioration that may leave those inflicted unable to participate in st and ard exercise programs . Alternative forms of exercise such as yoga may be successful in improving physical function , QOL and physiological variables for overall well-being . Aim : This r and omized controlled pilot study investigated the effectiveness of yoga intervention on physiological and health-related QOL measures in people with PD . Methods and Material s : Thirteen people with stage 1 - 2 PD were r and omized to either a yoga ( n = 8) or a control group ( n = 5 ) . The yoga group participated in twice-weekly yoga sessions for 12 weeks . Participants were tested at baseline , and at 6 and 12 weeks using the Unified Parkinson 's Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) , clinical measures of health-related QOL and physiological measures . Results : Significant improvement in UPDRS scores ( P = .006 ) , diastolic blood pressure ( P = 0.036 ) and average forced vital capacity ( P = 0.03 ) was noted in the yoga group over time . Changes between groups were also noted in two SF-36 subscales . Positive trends of improvement were noted in depression scores ( P = 0.056 ) , body weight ( P = 0.056 ) and forced expiratory volume ( P = 0.059 ) . Yoga participants reported more positive symptom changes including immediate tremor reduction . Conclusions : The results suggest that yoga may improve aspects of QOL and physiological functions in stages 1 - 2 PD . Future larger studies are needed to confirm and extend our findings of the effects of yoga in PD Objectives . Overview the quality , direction , and characteristics of yoga interventions for treatment of acute and chronic health conditions in adult population s. Methods . We search ed for systematic review s in 10 online data bases , bibliographic references , and h and - search es in  yoga-related  journals . Included review s satisfy Oxman criteria and specify yoga as a primary intervention in one or more r and omized controlled trials for treatment in adults . The AMSTAR tool and GRADE approach evaluated the method ological quality of review s and quality of evidence . Results . We identified 2202 titles , of which 41 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 26 systematic review s satisfied inclusion criteria . Thirteen systematic review s include quantitative data and six papers include meta- analysis . The quality of evidence is generally low . Sixteen different types of health conditions are included . Eleven review s show tendency towards positive effects of yoga intervention , 15 review s report unclear results , and no , review s report adverse effects of yoga . Yoga appears most effective for reducing symptoms in anxiety , depression , and pain . Conclusion . Although the quality of systematic review s is high , the quality of supporting evidence is low . Significant heterogeneity and variability in reporting interventions by type of yoga , setting s , and population characteristics limit the generalizability of results Context : Breast cancer patients awaiting surgery experience heightened distress that could affect postoperative outcomes . Aims : The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of yoga intervention on mood states , treatment-related symptoms , quality of life and immune outcomes in breast cancer patients undergoing surgery . Setting s and Design : Ninety-eight recently diagnosed stage II and III breast cancer patients were recruited for a r and omized controlled trial comparing the effects of a yoga program with supportive therapy plus exercise rehabilitation on postoperative outcomes following surgery . Material s and Methods : Subjects were assessed prior to surgery and four weeks thereafter . Psychometric instruments were used to assess self-reported anxiety , depression , treatment-related distress and quality of life . Blood sample s were collected for enumeration of T lymphocyte subsets ( CD4 % , CD8 % and natural killer ( NK ) cell % counts ) and serum immunoglobulins ( IgG , IgA and IgM ) . Statistical Analysis Used : We used analysis of covariance to compare interventions postoperatively . Results : Sixty-nine patients contributed data to the current analysis ( yoga n = 33 , control n = 36 ) . The results suggest a significant decrease in the state ( P = 0.04 ) and trait ( P = 0.004 ) of anxiety , depression ( P = 0.01 ) , symptom severity ( P = 0.01 ) , distress ( P < 0.01 ) and improvement in quality of life ( P = 0.01 ) in the yoga group as compared to the controls . There was also a significantly lesser decrease in CD 56 % ( P = 0.02 ) and lower levels of serum IgA ( P = 0.001 ) in the yoga group as compared to controls following surgery . Conclusions : The results suggest possible benefits for yoga in reducing postoperative distress and preventing immune suppression following surgery CONTEXT Yoga teachers and students often report that yoga has an uplifting effect on their moods , but scientific research on yoga and depression is limited . OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of a short-term Iyengar yoga course on mood in mildly depressed young adults . DESIGN Young adults pre-screened for mild levels of depression were r and omly assigned to a yoga course or wait-list control group . SETTING College campus recreation center . PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight volunteers ages 18 to 29 . At intake , all participants were experiencing mild levels of depression , but had received no current psychiatric diagnoses or treatments . None had significant yoga experience . INTERVENTION Subjects in the yoga group attended two 1-hour Iyengar yoga classes each week for 5 consecutive weeks . The classes emphasized yoga postures thought to alleviate depression , particularly back bends , st and ing poses , and inversions . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Beck Depression Inventory , State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , Profile of Mood States , morning cortisol levels . RESULTS Subjects who participated in the yoga course demonstrated significant decreases in self-reported symptoms of depression and trait anxiety . These effects emerged by the middle of the yoga course and were maintained by the end . Changes also were observed in acute mood , with subjects reporting decreased levels of negative mood and fatigue following yoga classes . Finally , there was a trend for higher morning cortisol levels in the yoga group by the end of the yoga course , compared to controls . These findings provide suggestive evidence of the utility of yoga asanas in improving mood and support the need for future studies with larger sample s and more complex study design s to more fully evaluate the effects of yoga on mood disturbances Yoga may be effective in the reduction of PTSD symptomology . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a Kundalini Yoga ( KY ) treatment on PTSD symptoms and overall wellbeing . To supplement the current field of inquiry , a pilot r and omized control trial ( RCT ) was conducted comparing an 8-session KY intervention with a waitlist control group .  80 individuals with current PTSD symptoms participated . Both groups demonstrated changes in PTSD symptomology but yoga participants showed greater changes in measures of sleep , positive affect , perceived stress , anxiety , stress , and resilience . Between-groups effect sizes were small to moderate ( 0.09–0.25 ) . KY may be an adjunctive or alternative intervention for PTSD . Findings indicate the need for further yoga research to better underst and the mechanism of yoga in relation to mental and physical health , gender and ethnic comparisons , and short- and long-term yoga practice for psychiatric conditions
Compared to aerobic exercise , no short- or medium-term group differences in depression severity was found .
Higher short-term depression severity was found for yoga compared to electro-convulsive therapy ;  remission rates did not differ between groups .
No short-term group differences occurred when yoga was compared to antidepressant medication .
Conflicting evidence was found when yoga was compared to attention-control interventions , or when yoga as an add-on to antidepressant medication was compared to medication alone .
This review found some evidence for positive effects beyond placebo and comparable effects compared to evidence -based interventions .
BACKGROUND The purpose of this review was to investigate the efficacy and safety of yoga interventions in treating patients with major depressive disorder .