The effectiveness of mindfulness yoga on patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Chuyuan Miao, Yun Gao, Xiaohua Li, Ying Zhou, Joanne Wai-Yee Chung, Graeme D Smith
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies September 8, 2023 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04141-2 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 581 |
| Population | Patients with major depressive disorder |
| Intervention | Mindfulness yoga |
| Topics | Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Systematic review Yoga |
| Citations | 19 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness yoga significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to control conditions, but the evidence was not conclusive. |
Abstract
Mindfulness yoga is a type of exercise that emphasizes the integration of mindfulness or meditation into yoga. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness yoga intervention on major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted by searching nine databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data knowledge service platform, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP) from inception to April 2023. Primary outcomes included the severity of depression. Secondary outcomes included anxiety and rumination. Nine RCTs met our inclusion criteria (n = 581). The meta-analysis showed that mindfulness yoga significantly has a significant effect on depression (SMD = -0.53; 95%CI = -0.96 to -0.11; P 0.05), but found a significant difference in the follow-up period based on two RCTs (MD = -7.42; 95%CI = -11.27 to -3.56; P < 0.05), compared with the control groups. Although we were unable to provide conclusive evidence to support the effectiveness of mindfulness yoga in improving symptoms in MDD patients, we found the literature included in this study indicated that mindfulness yoga might have a potential benefit for MDD patients and should be a feasible, acceptable, and promising intervention.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Meta-analysis of a mindfulness yoga exercise intervention on depression - based on intervention studies in China. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- Effectiveness of physical activity, mindfulness and mind-body therapies in improving mental health of university students: a systematic review of RCTS. Journal of American College Health April 22, 2025
- Discussion on the Application of Mindfulness Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Narrative Review Psychology Research and Behavior Management August 1, 2025
- Mindfulness mediates depressive symptom improvement during heated yoga: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial medRxiv July 10, 2026
- Mindfulness Meditation Yoga Mantra and Spiritual Practices for Mental Well-Being Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga May 9, 2026
and 1 more in the library
Cites 18
- Mindfulness Interventions Annual Review of Psychology September 30, 2016
- Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology Annual Review of Clinical Psychology December 11, 2018
- Mindfulness meditation and physical activity: Evidence from 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Health Psychology September 20, 2018
- A mindful yoga intervention for young women with major depressive disorder: Design and baseline sample characteristics of a randomized controlled trial International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research February 17, 2020
- Mindful yoga intervention as add-on to treatment as usual for young women with major depressive disorder: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology December 2022
and 13 more in the library