EFFECT OF YOGA FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SCALE
IN THERAPY PARTICIPANTS

SURYANARAYAN P., Post Graduate Student
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy (IAYT) on state anxiety and depression scale in therapy participants using Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. The anxiety and depression levels were measured in 81 subjects attending a 7 day yoga camp. The subjects were between 14 to 81 years of age. They were given IAYT practice for 4 hours/day all the seven days. The pre-post study of HADS scores show a significant decrease in state anxiety as well as depression indicating the positive effect of IAYT practices in reducing state anxiety and depression.

EFFECTS OF A SHORT TERM YOGA INTERVENTION
ON ANXIETY STATES AMONG HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

KRISHNAMOORTHY, Post Graduate Student
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India

Several studies have shown generalized anxiolytic effects with yoga intervention on self report measures of anxiety. The objective was to evaluate the effects of yoga intervention, on anxiety using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire (HADS) in healthy individuals. 750 Healthy volunteers were recruited in an open uncontrolled pilot study to participate in a week long yoga camp. Subjects were assessed at baseline and after the camp for anxiety levels using HADS questionnaire. 328 subjects completed the pre and post measures. Intervention effects were analyzed using non parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test and regression analysis was also done to evaluate the effect of age and sex on the changes in Anxiety levels. There was significant reduction in Anxiety states of healthy individuals following Yoga intervention (p<0.001). Regression Analysis showed baseline anxiety levels to be the primary predictor for decrease in anxiety scores following yoga intervention (a= 0.455, p < 0.001). The results show significant anxiolytic effects with a short term yoga intervention and better effects in individuals with higher anxiety levels.

ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS OF A SHORT TERM YOGA INTERVENTION
IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

MOHAN KUMAR C.V., Post Graduate Student
Swami Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation, Bangalore, India

Several studies have shown that yoga interventions (>7 sessions/1 month) confers antidepressant effects. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of a short term yoga intervention (1 week) on self reported depression using HADS questionnaire. 750 Healthy volunteers were recruited in an open uncontrolled pilot study to participate in a week long yoga camp. Subjects were assessed at baseline and after the camp for depression levels using HADS questionnaire. 328 subjects completed the pre and post measures. Intervention effects were analyzed using non parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test and regression analysis was also done to evaluate the effect of age and sex on the changes in depression levels. There was significant reduction in self reported depression in healthy individuals following Yoga intervention (p<0.001). Regression Analysis showed pre depression levels (a=0.598, p<0.001) to be the primary predictor for change in depression scores following yoga intervention and age (a=0.110, p <0.02) as the secondary predictor for change in depression scores following yoga intervention. The results show significant antidepressant effects with yoga intervention and better effects in subjects with more depressive symptoms and age.