Hot Off the Mat: Study Reveals How Heated Yoga Is Revolutionizing Depression Treatment

November 3rd, 2023

By Lily Anderson

Staff Writer for Wake Up World

Depression is a widespread mental health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. While various treatment options exist, a recent clinical trial suggests that heated yoga may hold the key to reducing depression symptoms effectively. In a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital, individuals with moderate-to-severe depression experienced remarkable reductions in their depressive symptoms after participating in heated yoga sessions. This ground breaking study, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, brings to light the potential of heated yoga as a viable treatment option for patients battling depression.

The Study

The study, led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital, involved 80 participants with moderate-to-severe depression. These individuals were divided into two groups: one received 90-minute sessions of Bikram yoga practiced in a room heated to a scorching 105°F, while the other group served as a waitlist control. Importantly, participants on the waitlist eventually completed the yoga intervention after their waitlist period.

Participants in the yoga group were encouraged to attend at least two yoga classes per week, with an average attendance of 10.3 classes over the eight-week trial. At the end of the trial, the results were truly remarkable. Those who participated in heated yoga sessions experienced a significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to those on the waitlist.

The Outcomes

The reductions in depressive symptoms were measured using the clinician-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-CR) scale. The findings were astounding – 59.3% of the yoga participants experienced a 50% or greater decrease in symptoms, compared to only 6.3% of waitlisted participants. Furthermore, 44% of participants in the yoga group achieved such low IDS-CR scores that their depression was considered to be in remission, compared to just 6.3% in the waitlist group.

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