Meta-analysis of a mindfulness yoga exercise intervention on depression - based on intervention studies in China.
Yuehang Yang, Dawei Cao, Teng Lyu, Wei Gao
Frontiers in Psychology 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1283172 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,216 |
| Population | Patients with depressive symptoms |
| Intervention | mindfulness yoga exercise |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Mindfulness thinking Yoga exercises |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness yoga exercise significantly reduces depressive symptoms and may be used as an effective adjunct to pharmacological treatment. |
Abstract
Using statistical methods to analyze and summarize the research data of the inclusion criteria, to provide a quantitative average effect size to interpret the influence of mindfulness yoga exercise on patients with different depressive symptoms, explain the therapeutic effect of mindfulness yoga therapy on depression and its possible mechanism of action, and provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of patients with depression. Review Manage 5.4 software was used to comprehensively evaluate the effect of yoga exercise on depression interventions to provide a reference for improving mental health. CNKI, PubMed, Web of science, EBSCO were searched for all case-control research articles on yoga for depression from 2000 to 2022. After screening, data extraction and quality evaluation of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 22 studies with 2,216 patients were included, including 1,101 in the yoga intervention group and 1,115 in the control group. The results showed a large heterogeneity in the literature on the effect of yoga exercise on depression, with a combined total effect size [SMD = -1.53, 95%CI (-1.96, -1.10), p < 0.00001]. Mindfulness yoga exercise is effective in preventing and treating depression and improving mental health, and may be considered as a non-medical, low-cost intervention as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Scientific Reports August 30, 2024
- 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
- The Contribution of Yoga to the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration of Incarcerated Individuals: A Systematic Review. Healthcare December 27, 2025
- Physical exercise and depression in college students: the serial mediating roles of mindfulness and experiential avoidance. Frontiers in Psychology June 22, 2026
- Yoga and the Mind-Body Connection Improving Mental Well-Being at the Intersection of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Yoga April 16, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 9
- The effectiveness of mindfulness yoga on patients with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies September 8, 2023
- Editorial: Neural Mechanisms Underlying Movement-Based Embodied Contemplative Practices Frontiers in Human Neuroscience April 26, 2016
- Impact of mindfulness training and yoga on injury and pain-related impairment: a group randomized trial in basic combat training Frontiers in Psychology October 6, 2023
- Exploring the potential of mindfulness-based therapy in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases based on molecular mechanism studies Frontiers in Neuroscience June 13, 2023
- Comparing the Psychological Effects of Meditation- and Breathing-Focused Yoga Practice in Undergraduate Students Frontiers in Psychology November 12, 2020
and 4 more in the library