Yoga-enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (Y-CBT) for anxiety management: a pilot study.
Manjit K Khalsa, Julie M Greiner-Ferris, Stefan G Hofmann, Sat Bir S Khalsa
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy May 7, 2014 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.1902 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Treatment-resistant clients at a community mental health clinic, including those with generalized anxiety disorder and multiple diagnoses |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Humans Treatment outcome Yoga Pilot projects Anxiety disorders Quality of life Middle aged Female Young adult Cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive behavioural therapy Y-cbt |
| Key points | The authors report that after the Y-CBT intervention, pre-post comparisons showed statistically significant improvements in state and trait anxiety, depression, panic, sleep, and quality of life. They suggest that Y-CBT may be a promising treatment for generalized anxiety disorder and may reduce depression in this clinic population. |
Abstract
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, but there is still room for improvement. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential benefit of enriching CBT with kundalini yoga (Y-CBT). Participants consisted of treatment resistant clients at a community mental health clinic. A total of 32 participants enrolled in the study and 22 completed the programme. After the Y-CBT intervention, pre-post comparisons showed statistically significant improvements in state and trait anxiety, depression, panic, sleep and quality of life. Results from this preliminary study suggest that Y-CBT may have potential as a promising treatment for those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Key practitioner messages: Yoga-enhanced cognitive behavioural therapy (Y-CBT) may be a promising new treatment for those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Y-CBT may also reduce depression in those suffering from generalized anxiety. Y-CBT may reduce depression and anxiety in a clinic population where clients suffer from multiple diagnoses including generalized anxiety disorder.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
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- Recent trends in yoga therapies for psychiatric disorders International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health March 31, 2026
- The Effect of Simplified Kundalini Yoga (SKY) Practices on Stress and Serum Cortisol Levels Among Medical Students. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences June 1, 2025
and 2 more in the library
Cites 12
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- Increased default mode network connectivity associated with meditation Neuroscience Letters October 28, 2010
- Mind wandering and attention during focused meditation: a fine-grained temporal analysis of fluctuating cognitive states. Neuroimage January 2, 2012
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