Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Clinical guidelines for the management of major depressive disorder in adults

Mind–body interventions are beneficial in stress-related mental and physical disorders. Current research is finding associations between emotional disorders and vagal tone as indicated by heart rate variability. A neurophysiologic model of yogic breathing proposes to integrate research on yoga with polyvagal theory, vagal stimulation, hyperventilation, and clinical observations. Yogic breathing is a unique method for balancing the autonomic nervous system and influencing psychologic and stress-related disorders. Many studies demonstrate effects of yogic breathing on brain function and physiologic parameters, but the mechanisms have not been clarified. Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY), a sequence of specific breathing techniques (ujjayi, bhastrika, and Sudarshan Kriya) can alleviate anxiety, depression, everyday stress, post-traumatic stress, and stress-related medical illnesses. Mechanisms contributing to a state of calm alertness include increased parasympathetic drive, calming of stress response systems, neur...

Sudarshan Kriya Yogic Breathing in the Treatment of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression: Part I—Neurophysiologic Model

http://www.srossell.com/Publications/5%20shapleske%20pt_brain%20research%20reviews.pdf

The planum temporale: a systematic, quantitative review of its structural, functional and clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Mind-body medical interventions are commonly used to cope with depression and yoga is one of the most commonly used mind-body interventions. The aim of this review was to systematically assess and meta-analyze the effectiveness of yoga for depression. METHODS: Medline/PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and IndMED were searched through January 2013. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga for patients with depressive disorders and individuals with elevated levels of depression were included. Main outcomes were severity of depression and remission rates, secondary outcomes were anxiety, quality of life, and safety. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs with 619 participants were included. Three RCTs had low risk of bias. Regarding severity of depression, there was moderate evidence for short-term effects of yoga compared to usual care (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.99, -0.39; P Language: en

Yoga for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

https://kaitlynroland.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/yoga-for-depression-pilkington-2005.pdf

Yoga for depression: The research evidence

Yoga is a multifaceted spiritual tool with enhanced health and well-being as one of its positive effects. The components of yoga which are very commonly applied for health benefits are asanas (physical postures), pranayama (regulated breathing) and meditation. In the context of asanas, yoga resembles more of a physical exercise, which may lead to the perception that yoga is another kind of physical exercise. This article aims at exploring the commonalities and differences between yoga and physical exercise in terms of concepts, possible mechanisms and effectiveness for health benefits. A narrative review is undertaken based on traditional and contemporary literature for yoga, along with scientific articles available on yoga and exercise including head-to-head comparative trials with healthy volunteers and patients with various disease conditions. Physical exercises and the physical components of yoga practices have several similarities, but also important differences. Evidence suggests that yoga interventions appear to be equal and/or superior to exercise in most outcome measures. Emphasis on breath regulation, mindfulness during practice, and importance given to maintenance of postures are some of the elements which differentiate yoga practices from physical exercises.

Yoga and physical exercise – a review and comparison

Depression is associated with low serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and elevated levels of serum cortisol. Yoga practices have been associated with antidepressant effects, increase in serum BDNF, and reduction in serum cortisol. This study examined the association between serum BDNF and cortisol levels in drug-naive patients with depression treated with antidepressants, yoga therapy, and both. Fifty-four drug-naive consenting adult outpatients with Major Depression (32 males) received antidepressants only (n = 16), yoga therapy only (n = 19), or yoga with antidepressants (n = 19). Serum BDNF andcortisol levels were obtained before and after 3 months using a sandwich ELISA method. One-way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation tests were used for analysis. The groups were comparable at baseline on most parameters. Significant improvement in depression scores and serum BDNF levels, and reduction in serum cortisol in the yoga groups, have been described in previous reports. A significant negative correlation was observed between change in BDNF (pre-post) and cortisol (pre-post) levels in the yoga-only group (r = -0.59, p = 0.008). In conclusion, yoga may facilitate neuroplasticity through stress reduction in depressed patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and delineate the pathways for these effects.

Serum cortisol and BDNF in patients with major depression—effect of yoga

Therapeutic efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in dysthymic disorder

Defects in social cognition which includes Facial Emotion Recognition Deficits [FERD] have been consistently demonstrated in most neuropsychiatric disorders. Influences of culture, age & sex on emotional expression and perception necessitates that a tool standardized in the Indian population be developed to study these deficits in Indian patients. Four experienced and trained actors (one young male, one young female, one older male and one older female) emoted six basic emotions, namely happy, sad, fear, anger, surprise and disgust at two different intensities [i.e. high and low] along with neutral facial expressions. 52 still images and 28 video clips were obtained. These images were then validated by 51 students from various mental health disciplines and five qualified psychiatrists. On statistical analysis the tool was found to have good inter­rater agreement and internal consistency. TRENDS is a tool validated for use in the Indian population, which captures the full range and nature of emotional expressions akin to real life situations and can be utilized for future behavioral and functional imaging studies in Indian patients. Such research can give useful insights into the neurobiological basis of neuropsychiatric disorders and has important implications for improving socio-occupational functioning.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0975156420080106

B.N. Gangadhar

Papers

Yoga and physical exercise – a review and comparison

Serum cortisol and BDNF in patients with major depression—effect of yoga

Therapeutic efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in dysthymic disorder

Trends- A tool for recognition of emotions in neuropsychiatric disorders

Tele-yoga for stress management: Need of the hour during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond?