The Science of Yoga
A growing body of scientific research examines the benefits of yoga across psychological, physical, and social domains. This evidence includes clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and findings from neuroscience and health research.
For those interested in learning more, a selection of peer-reviewed journal articles is included below. This list is not exhaustive, but highlights research relevant to community, health, and wellbeing settings.
Yoga for Emotional and Psychological Wellbeing
Beranbaum, S., & D’Andrea, W. (2024). Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Capacity Building and Wellness Strengthening Intervention for Female Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Affiliative Staff. Violence against Women, 30(15–16), 4101–4118.
Park, C. L., & Slattery, J. M. (2021). Yoga as an Integrative Therapy for Mental Health Concerns: An Overview of Current Research Evidence. Psychiatry International (Basel), 2(4), 386–401.
Takemura, N., Chung, K. C., Kwok, J. Y., & Fong, D. Y. T. (2025). Effect of Yoga on Psychological and Spiritual Outcomes in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with Meta-Regression. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 94(4), 289–301.
Wu, Y., Yan, D., & Yang, J. (2023). Effectiveness of yoga for major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1138205.
Zhang, Y., Sun, J., Wu, C., Fei, Y., Hu, W., & Lang, H. (2024). Comparing the effectiveness of mind–body practices (MBPs) and various psychological methods on occupational stress among healthcare workers: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Health Services Research, 24(1), Article 962.
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Yoga and Healthy Ageing
Bhattacharyya, K. K., Andel, R., & Small, B. J. (2021). Effects of yoga-related mind-body therapies on cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 93, Article 104319.
Gothe, N. P., Kramer, A. F., & McAuley, E. (2014). The Effects of an 8-Week Hatha Yoga Intervention on Executive Function in Older Adults. The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 69(9), 1109–1116.
Ko, K. Y., Kwok, Z. C. M., & Chan, H. Y. (2023). Effects of yoga on physical and psychological health among community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of older people nursing, 18(5), e12562.
Northey, J. M., Cherbuin, N., Pumpa, K. L., Smee, D. J., & Rattray, B. (2018). Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50: a systematic review with meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(3), 154–160.
Shin, S. (2021). Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Yoga Practice on Physical Fitness in the Elderly. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(21), 11663.
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Yoga for Physical Health
Heredia-Rizo, A. M., Martinez-Calderon, J., Piña-Pozo, F., González-García, P., & García-Muñoz, C. (2024). Effectiveness of mind-body exercises in chronic respiratory diseases: an overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Disability and Rehabilitation, (advance online publication), 1–16.
Lenoir Dit Caron, R., Verdun, S., Triquenot-Bagan, A., Tourny, C., & Coquart, J. (2024). Yoga in the Rehabilitation of Post-Stroke Sequelae: A Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 30(6), 543–553.
Li, Y., Li, S., Jiang, J., & Yuan, S. (2019). Effects of yoga on patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: A PRISMA systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 98(8), e14649.
Lin, S.-L., Huang, C.-Y., Shiu, S.-P., & Yeh, S.-H. (2015). Effects of Yoga on Stress, Stress Adaption, and Heart Rate Variability Among Mental Health Professionals-A Randomized Controlled Trial. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 12(4), 236–245.
Mumtaz, O., Hameed, M., Kashif, R. S., Abazeed, S., Ali, A., Qureshi, A. U., Akhtar, A., & Saeed, F. (2024). Yoga Exercises as a Therapeutic Approach for Adults with Insomnia to Promote Better Sleep: A Randomized Control Trial. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 4(2), 585–592.
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Research findings are presented for informational purposes only and do not replace medical advice or clinical care.