Clinical Trials (>2 Sessions) Investigating the Effects of Yoga and Yoga-Based Programs on Clinical Outcomes, Stratified by Study Design and Intervention (Yoga, Including Yoga-Based Meditation Alone vs. in Combination with Other Interventions) (Studies Reporting Beneficial Effects Are in Bold)
| Findings, by Endpoint | Study Design | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Clinical Trials | Non-Randomized Controlled Trials | Randomized Controlled Trials | |||||
| Yoga Alone | Multiple Interventions | Yoga Alone | Multiple Interventions | Yoga Alone | Multiple Interventions | ||
| Clinical endpoints | |||||||
| Reduced need for medication | |||||||
| Hypertension/CAD | [119] | [68] | [109, 121, 122]* | [80] | [130]* | [79]† | |
| Diabetes | [91] | [92] [68] | [95] | ||||
| Reduced revascularization procedures related complications† | [78] | ||||||
| Number of subjects on treatment for: | |||||||
| Hypertension (no difference)† | [79]† | ||||||
| Other CVD complications (reduced)† | [79]† | ||||||
| Reduced ECG evidence of ischemia† | [79]† | ||||||
| Reduction in anginal episodes | [79]† [78] | ||||||
| Reduced carotid intimal media thickness | [87] | ||||||
| Reduced progression of CAD | [80] | [78] | |||||
| Increased regression of CAD | [80] | [78] | |||||
| Reduced number of serious coronary events | [129](NS)[79]† | ||||||
| Reduced number of hospitalizations | [80] | ||||||
* With biofeedback.
† At 4 year follow up of individuals at risk for CVD; no difference in number of Ss currently on treatment for hypertension.
Abbreviations: CAD, coronary artery disease; CVD, cardiovascular disease.