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REVIEW ARTICLE

Effects of Yoga on Stress Among Healthy Adults:

A Systematic Review

Feifei Wang, MSc; Attila Szabo, PhD, DSc

ABSTRACT
Background • Yoga was recommended in both clinical Results • Totally, 12 articles elaborating on the effects of
and nonclinical populations as therapy methods. The yoga or yoga-related interventions on stress management
diversity of yoga practice as a therapy method has rarely and remission were included in the review. This review
been discussed and it is essential to address the effects of included various types of yoga practice (e.g., Hatha yoga,
yoga on stress. Bikram yoga, Kundalini yoga, Sudarshan Kriya yoga,
Primary Study Objective • This article aims to investigate Kripalu yoga, Yin yoga). A time spectrum was conducted
the effect of different types of yoga on stress in healthy from 4 wks to 28 wks. This review revealed that most types
population. On the other hand, the authors intended to of yoga have positive effects on stress reduction in heathy
figure out yoga effects on stress systematically. populations.
Methods/Design • A systematic literature review was Conclusion • Further studies are recommended to
conducted to identify articles that assess the effect of yoga and examine the long-term effect of yoga and underlying
yoga-related interventions on stress reduction in nonclinical psychological mechanisms causing stress and mental
populations. Studies were classified according to the length restrain. In addition, it is suggested to consider age as a
of the intervention, yoga type, and measures of outcome. The risk factor affecting the effect of yoga on stress. (Altern
studies were selected throughout last 5 years (January 2014 to Ther Health Med. 2020;26(4):58-64).
November 2018) by using the key searching term yoga and
stress incorporation with tension and pressure. The selection
process followed the Prisma flow diagram.

Feifei Wang, MSc, is PhD student in Education at the poses (called asanas) with deep, rhythmed breathing and
Institute of Sports and Health Promotion, ELTE Eötvös meditation, with the goal of increasing physical flexibility
Loránd University, in Budapest, Hungary. Attila Szabo, and strength in skeletons. A treasury of 112 types of yoga
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PhD, DSc, is Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, written by Singh explicitly answered the context of yoga
Professor of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, and types, by which the highest reality was reached. Nevertheless,
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Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE despite the wide variety of yoga, its implementation was
Eötvös Loránd University, in Budapest, Hungary. successful worldwide in scientific research.
The effects of yoga on health have been illustrated many
Corresponding author: Feifei Wang, MSc times. Studies have shown that yoga benefits health both in
E-mail address: feifei.wang@ppk.elte.hu clinical patients and nonclinical populations. Yoga as a
treatment for insomnia among patiens with cancer and
survivors was systematically reviewed and suggested
promising evidence of yoga for its efficacy in improving
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INTRODUCTION insomnia and sleep quality impairment. Evidence showed
Yoga has become popular as a therapeutic and relaxation psychophysiological effects of yoga, and it was suggested to
intervention among all age groups, including the older increase endogenous secretion of melatonin, which, in turn,
adults. Although there are many types and styles of yoga, might be responsible for improving the sense of well-being.
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typical yoga practices combine stretching and holding various In addition, meditation also showed physiological effect by

58 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, JUL/AUG 2020 VOL. 26 NO. 4 Wang—Yoga and Stress Among Healthy Adults