Yoga Program Reduces Anxiety, Depression; Increases Well-Being

Research Topics

Sunday, 04 January 2009

Researchers from the Department of Psychobiology at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo in Brazil looked at the efficacy of Siddha Samadhi Yoga, a program of meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises). Twenty-two volunteers with anxiety complaints (Median age = 42.8 yr., Standard deviation = 10.3) were assigned to two groups: 14 attended the yoga group, and 8 attended a waiting-list or control group.

Subjects were evaluated before the intervention and 1 month after it on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Beck Depression Inventory, Tension Feelings Self-evaluation Scales, and the Well-being Self-evaluation Scales.

The study found a significant reduction in scores on anxiety, depression, and tension in yoga group, as well as an increase in well-being, as compared with the control group.

Citation: Kozasa EH, Santos RF, Rueda AD, Benedito-Silva AA, De Ornellas FL, Leite JR. Evaluation of Siddha Samadhi Yoga for anxiety and depression symptoms: a preliminary study. Psychological Reports. 2008 Aug; 103 (1): pages 271-4. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it