Effects of Yoga Nidra on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Shashank Ghai, Pawel Odyniec, Ishan Ghai
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.70149 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA systematic review and meta-analysis of 73 studies with 5,201 participants found that Yoga Nidra, a meditative practice, is associated with significant reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression. Between-group analyses showed moderate-to-large effect sizes for stress, anxiety, and depression when compared to both active and no-treatment comparators. However, the authors caution that the low methodological quality and variability in how Yoga Nidra was delivered across studies likely inflate these estimates. The findings suggest Yoga Nidra has potential as a holistic mental health intervention, but high-quality, standardized research is needed to confirm its clinical efficacy.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5,201 |
| Population | Participants in studies of Yoga Nidra for mental health |
| Intervention | Yoga Nidra |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Yoga nidra Holistic care Mental health Non‐sleep deep rest |
| Key finding | Yoga Nidra showed significant moderate-to-large effects on stress, anxiety, and depression, but low study quality suggests these effects may be inflated. |
Abstract
The global mental health crisis has escalated to unprecedented levels, with stress, anxiety, and depression posing major public health concerns. Conventional interventions have shown limited success in addressing these multifaceted issues, prompting researchers to explore alternative solutions. Yoga Nidra (YN), a meditative practice, has gained momentum over the past decade as a potential holistic approach to mental health care. Yet, its clinical effectiveness remains inadequately understood. This systematic review and meta-analysis rigorously assessed YN's impact on stress, anxiety, and depression. A comprehensive search of seven databases and one trial database yielded 814 articles, of which 73 studies involving 5201 participants met the inclusion criteria. Between-group meta-analyses revealed significant benefits of YN for stress (Hedge's g: -0.80 with active comparator, -1.70 with no comparator), anxiety (active: -1.35, no comparator: -1.43), and depression (active: -0.69, no comparator: -0.92). Within-group analyses supported these effects, reinforcing YN's therapeutic potential. However, given the low methodological quality and variability in intervention delivery, these moderate-to-large effects should be interpreted cautiously, as they likely reflect inflated estimates. Despite these limitations, YN shows potential in managing mental health symptoms, underscoring the need for high-quality, standardized research to establish its efficacy as a viable clinical intervention.