Trial Outcomes & Findings for Treating Major Depression With Yoga: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (NCT NCT01210651)

NCT ID: NCT01210651

Last Updated: 2017-01-11

Results Overview

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) is a 21-item validated instrument for the self-report of depressive symptoms, with individual item scores summed to yield a total possible BDI score that ranges from 0-63. BDI scores from 0-13 suggest absent to minimal depressive symptoms, from 14-19 mild symptoms, from 20-28 moderate symptoms, and from 29-63 severe symptoms. Regression analysis software examined the BDI scores measured in study participants every 2 wks from intervention start at 0 wks until intervention end at 8 wks, using maximum likelihood estimations to derive an adjusted mean BDI score for each intervention group at each measurement point.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

38 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

0 wks, 2 wks, 4 wks, 6 wks, 8 wks

Results posted on

2017-01-11

Participant Flow

Participants were recruited via consecutive sampling of eligible individuals responding to ads approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of California, San Francisco. Ads were posted in San Francisco libraries, shopping areas, community centers, outpatient clinics, local newspapers, online classifieds \& clinical trials websites.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
Participants in this group met for 90-minute yoga practice sessions twice a weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
Participants in this group met for 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Overall Study
STARTED
20
18
Overall Study
Number Attending 1st Assigned Session
18
12
Overall Study
COMPLETED
15
10
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
5
8

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
Participants in this group met for 90-minute yoga practice sessions twice a weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
Participants in this group met for 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
1
1
Overall Study
schedule conflicts
1
5
Overall Study
Withdrawn by PI for disruptive behavior
0
1
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
1
Overall Study
Injury outside study
2
0

Baseline Characteristics

Treating Major Depression With Yoga: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
n=20 Participants
Participants in this group met for 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga practice twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
n=18 Participants
Participants in this group met for 90-minute education seminars on yoga history twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.
Total
n=38 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
43.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.2 • n=5 Participants
43.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.7 • n=7 Participants
43.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.8 • n=5 Participants
Age, Customized
Lowest age among participants
22 years
n=5 Participants
23 years
n=7 Participants
22 years
n=5 Participants
Age, Customized
Highest age among participants
64 years
n=5 Participants
72 years
n=7 Participants
72 years
n=5 Participants
Gender
Female
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
11 Participants
n=7 Participants
26 Participants
n=5 Participants
Gender
Male
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=7 Participants
12 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
European descent
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
22 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Asian descent
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
4 Participants
n=7 Participants
6 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Latino descent
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
African descent
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Multi-ethnic descent
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
20 participants
n=5 Participants
18 participants
n=7 Participants
38 participants
n=5 Participants
Married
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Highest Education
High school diploma
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Highest Education
Two years of college
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=7 Participants
12 Participants
n=5 Participants
Highest Education
Four-year college degree or higher
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
24 Participants
n=5 Participants
Employment
Employed
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
12 Participants
n=7 Participants
20 Participants
n=5 Participants
Employment
Student
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Employment
Retired
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
Employment
Unemployed
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
Prior Yoga Exposure
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
14 Participants
n=7 Participants
24 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Depressive Episodes
Participants with 0 prior episodes
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Depressive Episodes
Participants with 1 prior episode
12 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
22 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Depressive Episodes
Participants with 2 prior episodes
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
5 Participants
n=7 Participants
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Depressive Episodes
Participants with 3 prior episodes
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Antidepressant Trials
Participants with 0 prior trials
10 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Antidepressant Trials
Participants with 1 prior trial
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
15 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Antidepressant Trials
Participants with 2 prior trials
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Antidepressant Trials
Participants with 3 prior trials
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
Participants with Prior Antidepressant Trials
Participants with 4+ prior trials
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
Screening Score on Beck Depression Inventory-II
22.8 points on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.4 • n=5 Participants
22.4 points on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.6 • n=7 Participants
22.4 points on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=5 Participants
Screening Score on Folstein Mini Mental Status Exam
27.7 points on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.8 • n=5 Participants
28.4 points on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.2 • n=7 Participants
28.0 points on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.6 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 wks, 2 wks, 4 wks, 6 wks, 8 wks

Population: Intent-to-Treat population was comprised of all randomized participants in both intervention groups, regardless of adherence to protocol or premature dropout. BDI scores of any participants missing at 0 wks were imputed by carrying forward their BDI scores from screening.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) is a 21-item validated instrument for the self-report of depressive symptoms, with individual item scores summed to yield a total possible BDI score that ranges from 0-63. BDI scores from 0-13 suggest absent to minimal depressive symptoms, from 14-19 mild symptoms, from 20-28 moderate symptoms, and from 29-63 severe symptoms. Regression analysis software examined the BDI scores measured in study participants every 2 wks from intervention start at 0 wks until intervention end at 8 wks, using maximum likelihood estimations to derive an adjusted mean BDI score for each intervention group at each measurement point.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
n=20 Participants
Participants in this group practiced 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga exercises twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
n=18 Participants
Participants in this group attended 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Intent-to-Treat Analysis of Adjusted Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II Scores Over Intervention Period
Adjusted Mean BDI Score at 0 wks
20.98 points on a scale
Interval 18.45 to 23.51
19.92 points on a scale
Interval 17.26 to 22.58
Intent-to-Treat Analysis of Adjusted Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II Scores Over Intervention Period
Adjusted Mean BDI Score at 2 wks
15.15 points on a scale
Interval 12.17 to 18.12
13.06 points on a scale
Interval 8.91 to 17.2
Intent-to-Treat Analysis of Adjusted Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II Scores Over Intervention Period
Adjusted Mean BDI Score at 4 wks
14.35 points on a scale
Interval 11.28 to 17.41
14.66 points on a scale
Interval 10.76 to 18.56
Intent-to-Treat Analysis of Adjusted Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II Scores Over Intervention Period
Adjusted Mean BDI Score at 6 wks
13.04 points on a scale
Interval 9.46 to 16.62
12.72 points on a scale
Interval 7.82 to 17.62
Intent-to-Treat Analysis of Adjusted Mean Beck Depression Inventory-II Scores Over Intervention Period
Adjusted Mean BDI Score at 8 wks
11.51 points on a scale
Interval 8.69 to 14.33
16.93 points on a scale
Interval 13.56 to 20.3

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 wks and 8 wks

Population: Population of study completers was comprised of participants in both intervention groups who provided study measures at intervention start at 0 wks and at intervention end at 8 wks.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) is a 21-item validated instrument for the self-report of depressive symptoms, with individual item scores summed to yield a total possible BDI score that ranges from 0-63. BDI scores from 0-13 suggest absent to minimal depressive symptoms, from 14-19 mild symptoms, from 20-28 moderate symptoms, and from 29-63 severe symptoms. BDI scores of study completers were examined, and the total change score on BDI was calculated for each intervention group as the mean BDI score at 0 wks subtracted from the mean BDI score at 8 wks.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
n=15 Participants
Participants in this group practiced 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga exercises twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
n=10 Participants
Participants in this group attended 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Total Change Scores on Beck Depression Inventory-II Among Study Completers
Mean BDI Score at 0 wks
20.47 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.00
18.00 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.43
Total Change Scores on Beck Depression Inventory-II Among Study Completers
Mean BDI Score at 8 wks
11.00 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 10.01
16.30 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.63
Total Change Scores on Beck Depression Inventory-II Among Study Completers
Total Change Score on BDI
-9.47 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.85
-1.70 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.67

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 Weeks

Population: Population of study completers with remitted depression was comprised of participants in both intervention groups who provided study measures at 0 wks and 8 wks, and achieved an 8-wk BDI score ≤ 9.

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI) is a 21-item validated instrument for the self-report of depressive symptoms, with individual item scores summed to yield a total possible BDI score that ranges from 0-63. BDI scores from 0-13 suggest absent to minimal depressive symptoms, from 14-19 mild symptoms, from 20-28 moderate symptoms, and from 29-63 severe symptoms. Analysis examined BDI scores of study completers and identified in each intervention group the number of participants with an 8-wk BDI score ≤ 9, defined as remitted depression.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
n=15 Participants
Participants in this group practiced 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga exercises twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
n=10 Participants
Participants in this group attended 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Number of Study Completers With Remitted Depression, Per Completers Analysis of BDI Scores at 8 Weeks
Number of Study Completers with 8-wk BDI score ≤ 9
9 participants
1 participants
Number of Study Completers With Remitted Depression, Per Completers Analysis of BDI Scores at 8 Weeks
Number of Study Completers with 8-wk BDI score > 9
6 participants
9 participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 wks, 8 wks

Population: Population of study completers was comprised of participants in both intervention groups who provided study measures at intervention start at 0 wks and at intervention finish at 8 wks.

The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) is a 10-item, self-administered, validated psychometric instrument to measure self-efficacy, defined as the belief that one's actions are responsible for successful outcomes in coping with difficult life demands. Each item is scored from 1 to 4, with a total GSES score derived by summing the individual item scores. Possible GSES scores range from 10 (no belief in one's self-efficacy) to 40 (strongest belief in one's self-efficacy). GSES scores of study completers were examined, and the total change score on GSES was calculated for each intervention group as the mean GSES score at 0 wks subtracted from the mean GSES score at 8 wks.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
n=15 Participants
Participants in this group practiced 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga exercises twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
n=10 Participants
Participants in this group attended 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Total Change Scores on General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) Among Study Completers
Mean GSES Score at 0 wks
26.87 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.09
28.50 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.33
Total Change Scores on General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) Among Study Completers
Mean GSES Score at 8 wks
29.00 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.89
30.00 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.67
Total Change Scores on General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) Among Study Completers
Total Change Score on GSES
2.13 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.07
1.50 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.37

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 0 wks, 8 wks

Population: Population of study completers was comprised of participants in both intervention groups who provided study measures at intervention start at 0 wks and at intervention finish at 8 wks.

The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is a 10-item, self-administered, validated psychometric instrument to measure self-esteem, defined as having an overall feeling of self-worth and self-acceptance. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, and individual item scores are summed to yield a total possible RSES ranging from 0-30. RSES scores from 0-14 suggest low self-esteem, from 15-25 normal self-esteem, and from 26-30 high self-esteem. RSES scores of study completers were examined, and the total change score on RSES was calculated for each intervention group as the mean RSES score at 0 wks subtracted from the mean RSES score at 8 wks.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Hatha Yoga Practice Group
n=15 Participants
Participants in this group practiced 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga exercises twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Education Group
n=10 Participants
Participants in this group attended 90-minute educational seminars on yoga history twice weekly for a total of 8 weeks.
Total Change Scores on Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) Among Study Completers
Mean RSES Score at 0 wks
14.6 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.48
16.0 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.77
Total Change Scores on Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) Among Study Completers
Mean RSES Score at 8 wks
17.47 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.87
16.2 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.88
Total Change Scores on Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) Among Study Completers
Total Change Score on RSES
2.87 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.42
0.20 points on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.01

Adverse Events

Yoga Practice Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 5 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Attention Control Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Yoga Practice Group
n=18 participants at risk
Participants in this group met for 90-minute sessions of hatha yoga practice twice a week for a total of 8 weeks. week for a total of 8 weeks.
Attention Control Group
n=12 participants at risk
Participants in this group met for 90-minute education seminars on yoga history and philosophy twice a week for a total of 8 weeks.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal soreness or discomfort
27.8%
5/18 • Number of events 10 • Adverse event data were collected continuously over the 8 month period from recruitment to completion of all interventions (May 2010 through Jan 2011).
0.00%
0/12 • Adverse event data were collected continuously over the 8 month period from recruitment to completion of all interventions (May 2010 through Jan 2011).

Additional Information

Sudha Prathikanti, MD

UCSF

Phone: 415-516-3867

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place