This article, from 2004, reviews the research on yoga for depression. It looks at five randomised controlled trials that each used different forms of yoga interventions and in which the severity of the condition ranged from mild to severe. All the trials reported positive findings but methodological details such as method of randomisation, compliance and attrition rates were missing. No adverse effects were reported with the exception of fatigue and breathlessness in participants in one of the studies. Though they need to be interpreted with caution, the findings were that there are potentially beneficial effects of yoga interventions on depressive disorders.
Unfortunately this article can’t be posted here as it is copyright-protected, but you can reach the publisher’s purchase page by clicking here. If you want further information about it, you could also get in touch with us at the Foundation.