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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Yoga for Substance Use: A Systematic Review

Namrata Walia, Jennifer Matas, Acara Turner, Sandra Gonzalez and Roger Zoorob
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine September 2021, 34 (5) 964-973; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.2021.05.210175
Namrata Walia
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (NW, JM, SG, RZ); West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV (AT).
MD, MHA
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Jennifer Matas
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (NW, JM, SG, RZ); West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV (AT).
MPH
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Acara Turner
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (NW, JM, SG, RZ); West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV (AT).
MD
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Sandra Gonzalez
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (NW, JM, SG, RZ); West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV (AT).
PhD
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Roger Zoorob
From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (NW, JM, SG, RZ); West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV (AT).
MD, MPH, FAAFP
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Abstract

Introduction: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex interactions between various genetic, environmental, developmental, and social factors. Yoga is recommended as a nonmainstream treatment for many health conditions, including SUDs.

Methods: Five databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated yoga as an intervention in adults with any type of substance use disorder. The interventions being studied included Hatha yoga, Sudarshan Kriya yoga, breathing yoga exercises, and meditation. Studies, where yoga was combined with other interventions were excluded. The effect of yoga as an intervention was analyzed using primary outcomes such as anxiety, pain, and craving. Eight RCTs met the eligibility criteria, and quality analysis was conducted using the Cochrane criteria.

Results: Among the 8 final studies eligible for quality analysis, 2 had undefined substance use, while the others were focused on tobacco, alcohol, or opioids. Seven out of 8 studies showed significant results and improved primary outcomes such as anxiety, pain, or substance use. Seven out of the 8 studies showed significant positive outcomes using yoga in conjunction with other pharmacological treatment modalities like opioid substitution therapy.

Conclusions: Six out of 8 studies showed low concerns, while 2 studies showed some concerns about the risk of bias judgment. Although the results look encouraging, RCTs with larger sample size are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of yoga as a treatment modality for substance use.

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Meditation
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Yoga
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The Journal of the American Board of Family   Medicine: 34 (5)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 34, Issue 5
September/October 2021
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Yoga for Substance Use: A Systematic Review
Namrata Walia, Jennifer Matas, Acara Turner, Sandra Gonzalez, Roger Zoorob
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Sep 2021, 34 (5) 964-973; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.05.210175

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Yoga for Substance Use: A Systematic Review
Namrata Walia, Jennifer Matas, Acara Turner, Sandra Gonzalez, Roger Zoorob
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Sep 2021, 34 (5) 964-973; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.05.210175
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