Mindfulness-based yoga intervention for women with depression.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a 12-week mindfulness-based yoga intervention on depressive symptoms and rumination among depressed women.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled 12 week intervention pilot study. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks), and one-month follow-up.


METHODS
Women with a history of diagnosed depression and currently depressed were randomized to a mindfulness-based yoga condition or a walking control.


METHODS
The mindfulness-based yoga intervention consisted of a home-based yoga asana, pranayama and meditation practice with mindfulness education sessions delivered over the telephone. The walking control condition consisted of home-based walking sessions and health education sessions delivered over the phone.


METHODS
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS).


RESULTS
Both groups reported decreases in depressive symptoms from baseline to post-intervention, f(1,33)=34.83, p<0.001, and from baseline to one-month follow-up, f(1,33)=37.01, p<0.001. After controlling for baseline, there were no significant between group differences on depression scores at post-intervention and the one-month follow-up assessment. The mindfulness-based yoga condition reported significantly lower levels of rumination than the control condition at post-intervention, after controlling for baseline levels of rumination, f(1,31)=6.23, p<0.01.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that mindfulness-based yoga may provide tools to manage ruminative thoughts among women with elevated depressive symptoms. Future studies, with larger samples are needed to address the effect of yoga on depression and further explore the impact on rumination.
University of Minnesota, School of Kinesiology and Center for Spirituality & Healing, 1900 University Ave SE & 420 Delaware St. SE C592, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. Electronic address: schuv007@umn.edu.
Katie J
KJ
Schuver
University of Minnesota, School of Kinesiology, 1900 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Beth A
BA
Lewis
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D064866:Mindfulness; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015013:Yoga; D055815:Young Adult
Depression; Hatha yoga; Mindfulness; NCT02630758