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)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| 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 Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Yoga nidra Holistic care Mental health Non‐sleep deep rest |
| Key findings | 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.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- Transforming Trauma: A Qualitative Feasibility Study of Integrative Restoration (iRest) Yoga Nidra on Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder International Journal of Yoga Therapy September 1, 2011
- Exploring the uses of yoga nidra: An integrative review. Journal of Nursing Scholarship November 1, 2023
- The Effects of an Online Yoga Nidra Meditation on Subjective Well-Being and Diurnal Salivary Cortisol: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Stress and Health June 1, 2025
- Impact of Yoga Nidra Meditation on Perceived Stress and Self Regulation in Teacher Trainees International Journal of Indian Psychology September 1, 2018
- A closer look at yoga nidra- early randomized sleep lab investigations. Journal of Psychosomatic Research March 2023
and 7 more in the library