Yoga appears to improve anorexia nervosa symptoms, particularly emotional dysregulation, but evidence is weak. A review of five studies found that all but one had serious methodological problems, including confounding factors like psychiatric comorbidity and small sample sizes. The authors conclude yoga is a candidate complementary treatment but call for more randomized controlled trials with larger samples and less bias to draw robust conclusions. They also suggest comparing yoga's effectiveness against psychotherapy or medication and adapting yoga practices to the specific needs of these patients.
Meditation-based interventions for people with epilepsy show promise for improving depression, anxiety, concentration, and quality of life. Neurophysiological changes include modulation of gamma power, beta burst duration, and interictal epileptiform discharges, suggesting a potential stabilizing effect on neural networks. However, evidence for reducing seizure frequency is inconsistent and generally not statistically significant. The review included five studies: two randomized controlled trials, two open-label studies, and one case report. Meditation appears to be a promising adjunctive therapy for psychological well-being and possibly cortical excitability, but well-powered randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and longer follow-up are needed to confirm effects on seizure control.
Yogic meditation, which involves focused awareness, appears to promote coherent brainwave activity and modulate neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, according to a narrative review of 21 peer-reviewed articles. The reviewed studies suggest that these changes may reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and provide pain relief and autonomic stability. However, the findings remain preliminary and require more well-designed confirmation.