Efficacy of yoga for posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Seyed Aria Nejadghaderi, Seyed Ehsan Mousavi, Asra Fazlollahi, Kimia Motlagh Asghari, Dana Rose Garfin
Psychiatry Research October 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116098 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | Adults with PTSD |
| Intervention | Yoga |
| Topics | Meditation PTSD |
| Keywords | Complementary health Integrative health Pooled analysis Randomized controlled trial |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | Yoga interventions significantly improved self-reported PTSD and depression symptoms compared to controls, but not clinician-reported PTSD symptoms. |
Abstract
Yoga is an increasingly popular complementary intervention to reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and related comorbidities, but its safety and treatment efficacy are not firmly established. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing randomized control trials (RCTs) of yoga interventions for PTSD and related secondary outcomes (e.g., depression). Initial search results found over 668 potential papers. Twenty met inclusion criteria (e.g., RCTs on adult participants with PTSD that evaluated safety or efficacy outcomes). Meta-analysis indicated that, compared to control interventions, participation in yoga interventions significantly improved self-report PTSD (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.51; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -0.68, -0.35) and immediate (SMD: -0.39; 95 % CI: -0.56, -0.22) and long-term (SMD: -0.44; 95 % CI: -0.74, -0.13) depression symptoms. However, using clinician-reported assessments, yoga interventions were not associated with improved PTSD symptoms. Type of yoga differentially predicted outcomes. Sensitivity analysis showed consistent effect sizes when omitting each study from main analyses. Six studies reported whether any serious adverse events occurred. None were indicated. No publication bias was found, although individual intervention studies tended to be high in bias. Results suggest yoga is likely a safe and effective complementary intervention for reducing PTSD and depressive symptoms in individuals with PTSD. More rigorous RCTs are warranted.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on PTSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Recent trends in yoga therapies for psychiatric disorders International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health March 31, 2026
- Contemplating Together Applied Mindfulness and Integrative Practices for Mental Well-Being May 6, 2026
- Case Report: Integrating CBT, hypnosis-based consciousness activation techniques, and yoga-based postural training: a three-pillar approach used for migrant populations. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2026
Cites 7
- Breathing‐Based Meditation Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in U.S. Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study Journal of Traumatic Stress August 1, 2014
- Mind–Body Exercises for PTSD Symptoms, Depression, and Anxiety in Patients With PTSD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Frontiers in Psychology January 18, 2022
- Randomised clinical non-inferiority trial of breathing-based meditation and cognitive processing therapy for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. BMJ Open August 25, 2022
- Valued living among veterans in breath-based meditation treatment or cognitive processing therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: Exploratory outcome of a randomized controlled trial Global Advances in Health and Medicine 2022
- Effect of a Yoga Based Meditation Technique on Emotional Regulation, Self‐compassion and Mindfulness in College Students Explore November 1, 2018
and 2 more in the library