Effectiveness of Yoga in Managing Anxiety and Depression in Women

RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE

CRITICAL APPRASIAL
Introduction
The practice of yoga has been prevalent since ancient times and has co-existed along with
conventional treatments and medicine. Yoga has been considered as an ideal technique for
maintenance of healthy mind and body especially psychological cardiovascular and respiratory
related issues.
Aim
The aim of the study by Javnbakht, Kenari & Ghasemi (2009, p.102), is to discuss the
effectiveness of Yoga in managing or reduction of symptoms related to anxiety and depression in
women.
Hypothesis
H1: Yoga is effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Sample and recruitment
The sample for the study was randomly shortlisted new female patient according to personal
information questionnaire. The study excluded those having a history of psychiatric disorder,
drug abuse or have practiced yoga in their past. A sample size of 65 women were further divided
into experimental and control groups consisting of 34 and 31 women respectively to understand
the impact of yoga on mental wellbeing as well as reducing depression and anxiety.
Main findings and considerations
The study indicated that yoga was effective in decreasing symptoms of anxiety and supported the
findings of previous studies related to yoga by other scholars like Gupta (Gupta et al. 2006, p.41)
and Michalsen (Michalsen et al. 2005, p.555). The study also brought forward the fact that
treatment of depression through yoga will require a greater time period and longer exposure to
therapeutic yoga treatment. The study was in contrast with findings of Woolery (Woolery et al.
2004, p.63), since the sample shortlisted in his study had patients having mild depressive
disorder and not the severe ones. The study supported the use of yoga as a desirable technique
for bringing down the level of anxiety and with prolonged use is beneficial for mild to severe
levels of depression. Yoga techniques helped the individuals to understand their bodies’ thus
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building self confidence in them and also bring a sense of control on personal levels
(Broughton,2016, p.20).
Summary of the measurement of the study
The method employed in the study included test according to Beck depression inventory which is
a reliable way of assessing intensity, depth and severity related to depression. The 21 item BDI
questionnaires were marked with scores to evaluate the intensity of scale of depression (Ediz,
Ozcakir & Bilgel, 2017, p.1283829). The high score indicated towards high intensity of
depression. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory is helpful in measuring the state and trait anxiety
effectively (Renner et al. 2018, p.1409). The observations were conducted through method of
questionnaire proved to be highly efficient method in conducting the experiment over a period of
time. The participants shortlisted for the study were divided into experimental and control group
in order to understand the impact of yoga on levels of anxiety and depression. The data collected
was analysed with the help of T test and Wilcoxon test ruling out possibilities of any
discrepancies in calculating the data. The use latest software for the purpose of regression
analysis helped deriving just and valid results.
Methods of data collection
The method of data collection was quantitative research method which included personal
information questionnaires distributed to a group of 65 women for the segregated into control
and experimental group. The group was observed before the intervention of yoga therapy was
induced and again after a period of two months of undergoing yoga practices by experimental
group of women. The women in the control group observations were also monitor along with the
experimental groups.
Appropriate research methods were used to answer questions
Qualitative research method employed in the study was appropriate sunset and boy transforming
of numerical data collected from the control and experimental group into usable statistics (Nardi,
2018, p.275). The derived result was used for quantification of defined variables and the results
could be applied upon a larger population. The quantitative research method provided a
systematic investigation of the effectiveness of yoga on anxiety and depression and help in
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