Regular practice of Yoga can ease symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders, a new study, published in in JAMA Psychiatry, has revealed.
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, have found that yoga is more effective in easing the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorders than standard education on stress management. However, they also found that it may not be effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Generalized anxiety disorder is a very common condition which affect people of all age groups. Despite suffering from symptoms like chronic nervousness and worry, they often refuse to seek medical help.
“Our findings demonstrate that yoga, which is safe and widely available, can improve symptoms for some people with this disorder and could be a valuable tool in an overall treatment plan”, says lead study author Naomi M. Simon, MD, a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health.
54 per cent of those who practiced yoga met response criteria for meaningfully improved symptoms compared to 33 per cent in the stress-education group. Of those treated with CBT, 71 percent met these symptom improvement criteria.
However, after six months of follow-up, the CBT response remained significantly better than stress education (the control therapy), while yoga was no longer significantly better, suggesting CBT may have more robust, longer-lasting anxiety-reducing effects.
About the Study
- The study divided 226 men and women into three groups
- In the first group, they get cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- In the second groups, they were asked to practice Kundalini yoga
- Persons getting standardized control technique were put in the third group
- Kundalini yoga included physical postures, breathing techniques, relaxation exercises, yoga theory, and meditation/mindfulness practice.
- The stress-managementeducation control group received lectures about the physiological, psychological and medical effects of stress, as well as the antianxiety effects of lifestyle behaviors, such as reducing alcohol and smoking, and the importance of exercise and a healthy diet.
- CBT treatment includes psychoeducation, cognitive interventions, and muscle relaxation techniques.
After three months, both CBT and yoga were found to be significantly more effective for anxiety than stress management.
54 percent of those who practiced yoga felt better after three months. Only 33% of people found their symptoms improved after receiving stress management education.
However, after six months of follow-up, the CBT response remained significantly better than stress education (the control therapy), while yoga was no longer significantly better, suggesting CBT may have more robust, longer-lasting anxiety-reducing effects.
What Is GAD?
According to National Institute of Medical Health, people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) feel extremely worried or feel nervous about occasional anxiety and other things even when there is little or no reason to worry about them. People with GAD find it difficult to control their anxiety and stay focused on daily tasks.
However, GAD is treatable. Timely intervention and proper medical attention can ease the symptoms associated with GAD.
GAD sometimes runs in families, but no one knows for sure why some family members have it while others don’t.