Abstract
BackgroundA growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the therapeutic value of yoga interventions. This bibliometric analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the characteristics of the totality of available randomized yoga trials.MethodsAll RCTs of yoga were eligible. Medline/PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, IndMED, and the tables of content of yoga specialty journals not listed in medical databases were screened through February 2014. Bibliometric data, data on participants, and intervention were extracted and analyzed descriptively.ResultsPublished between 1975 and 2014, a total of 366 papers were included, reporting 312 RCTs from 23 different countries with 22,548 participants. The median study sample size was 59 (range 8–410, interquartile range = 31, 93). Two hundred sixty-four RCTs (84.6%) were conducted with adults, 105 (33.7%) with older adults and 31 (9.9%) with children. Eighty-four RCTs (26.9%) were conducted with healthy participants. Other trials enrolled patients with one of 63 varied medical conditions; the most common being breast cancer (17 RCTs, 5.4%), depression (14 RCTs, 4.5%), asthma (14 RCTs, 4.5%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (13 RCTs, 4.2%). Whilst 119 RCTs (38.1%) did not define the style of yoga used, 35 RCTs (11.2%) used Hatha yoga and 30 RCTs (9.6%) yoga breathing. The remaining 128 RCTs (41.0%) used 46 varied yoga styles, with a median intervention length of 9 weeks (range 1 day to 1 year; interquartile range = 5, 12). Two hundred and forty-four RCTs (78.2%) used yoga postures, 232 RCTs (74.4%) used breath control, 153 RCTs (49.0%) used meditation and 32 RCTs (10.3%) used philosophy lectures. One hundred and seventy-four RCTs (55.6%) compared yoga with no specific treatment; 21 varied control interventions were used in the remaining RCTs.ConclusionsThis bibliometric analysis presents the most complete up-to-date overview on published randomized yoga trials. While the available research evidence is sparse for most conditions, there was a marked increase in published RCTs in recent years.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-328) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
A growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the therapeutic value of yoga interventions
In order to inform practitioners, therapists and patients about the therapeutic value of yoga in a specific condition, it is important to consolidate knowledge on the available research evidence. The aim of this bibliometric analysis was to provide a comprehensive review of the characteristics of the totality of available randomized yoga trials. Where applicable, this bibliometric analysis is reported in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines [10]
Bibliometrics The 366 analyzed articles originated in 23 different countries, with most coming from India (k = 170, 46.4%) or the USA (k = 98, 26.8%)
Summary
A growing number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the therapeutic value of yoga interventions. The Indian sage Patañjali prescribed adherence to eight limbs of yoga, aimed at quieting one’s mind to achieve the union of mind, body and spirit that is traditional yoga’s ultimate goal. These limbs include ‘Yama’ and ‘Niyama’ (a code of conduct for an ethical lifestyle), ‘Asana’ (physical postures), ‘Pranayama’ (breath control), ‘Pratyahara’ About half of American yoga practitioners (more than 13 million people) reported starting practice explicitly to improve their health [6,7]. In the United Kingdom, yoga is even promoted by the National Health Service as a safe and effective approach, in health and illness, for people of all ages [8]
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