Effects of yoga on stress, depression, and health-related quality of life in a non-clinical, bi-ethnic sample of adolescents

Purpose: The presence of mental illness during adolescence has an immediate and lasting influence on health-related quality of life (HRQL). Yoga is an effective non-pharmaceutical treatment of mental illness, yet no studies have examined the affects of yoga in adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of yoga to improve stress, depression, and HRQL in a non-clinical, bi-ethnic sample of adolescents. Methods: A randomized cross-over trail design was employed to assess treatment (acute) and carryover effects (withdraw of treatment, 2wks). The design consisted of three measures: baseline (wk0), post-1 (wk2), and post-2 (wk4). A total of 55 students (13.9±1.9yrs, 50% girls, 49% Hispanic), enrolled in physical education, were randomized to receive either 2wks of yoga followed by 2wks removal or 2wks of no treatment followed by 2wks of yoga. Students completed 4 or 5 45min yoga classes. Three surveys, completed at each time point, measured: depression – Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; stress – Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); and HRQL – KINDL (overall scale and 6 subscales). Results: Significant treatment effects were observed for PSS, the overall KINDL HRQL, and the physical health, general feelings, and self-esteem KINDL subscales. Carryover effects were observed for the HRQL subscales self-esteem, physical health, and general feelings. Nonsignificant beneficial changes were observed in the other measures. Conclusions: Despite short program exposure, acute and carryover changes in mental health indicators were observed. Results indicate longer durations of yoga may prove beneficial in alleviating mental health problems of adolescents.