08/01/2025
𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗬: Yoga and Anxiety
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Kundalini yoga in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) compared to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and stress management education.
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🧪𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻
Participants: 226 adults diagnosed with GAD
Groups:
• CBT (structured talk therapy)
• Kundalini yoga
• Stress management education (control group)
Duration: 12 weeks of weekly 2-hour group sessions + daily homework
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🔎𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀
* CBT - 71% Meaningful symptom improvement . Most effective, with lasting results at 6-month follow-up.
* Kundalini Yoga - 54% Meaningful symptom improvement. More effective than stress education short-term but not sustained at 6 months.
* Stress Management - 33% Meaningful symptom improvement. Least effective.
Yoga was significantly more effective than stress education in reducing anxiety symptoms after 3 months.
CBT remained superior at the 6-month follow-up, suggesting longer-lasting benefits. Yoga is safe, accessible, and well-tolerated, making it a valuable complementary option for those unable or unwilling to access CBT or take medication.
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🧠 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
• Yoga may be a short-term effective tool for managing anxiety, especially for individuals seeking alternative or complementary treatments.
• Future research should explore which individuals benefit most from yoga, to better personalize treatment plans.
• Expanding treatment options can help reduce barriers to care and improve engagement with evidence-based therapies.
📚SOURCE: https://nyulangone.org/news/yoga-shown-improve-anxiety-study-finds
