Yoga
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What is it?
Yoga is based on Hindu religious practices. It includes exercises that aim to give greater control of the body and mind and to increase wellbeing.
How does it work?
Yoga exercises are often used to reduce stress and anxiety. Since stress and anxiety can lead to depression, these exercises might be useful for depression as well.
Is it effective?
Six studies have looked at the effects of yoga exercises on depression. Overall, yoga produces greater improvements for depression than a placebo (dummy treatment) or no treatment. One study reported yoga exercises to be as effective as antidepressants. However, each of these studies was small.
Are there any disadvantages?
Some yoga exercises require muscle strength and good flexibility.
Where do you get it?
Yoga teachers are listed in the Yellow Pages.
Recommendation
Yoga exercises look promising as a treatment for depression, but require further evaluation.
Key references
2008 Annual evidence update on CAM in depression: Yoga. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Specialist Library. National Library for Health. Available: http://www.library.nhs.uk/cam/ViewResource.aspx?resID=295220 [accessed 17 Nov 2008]
Pilkington K, Kirkwood G, Rampes H, Richardson J. Yoga for depression: The research evidence. Journal of Affective Disorders 2005; 89: 13-24.
Morgan AJ, Jorm AF. Self-help interventions for depressive disorders and depressive symptoms: a systematic review. Annals of General Psychiatry 2008; 7: 13. DOI: 10.1186/1744-859-X-7-13.