Similarly, in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression trial, the remission rate after initial antidepressant treatment was 37%, and the cumulative remission rate with up to four successive treatment steps was 67% ( Rush et al., 2006). For example, in a large, naturalistic study of depression treatment in which 77% of participants received “adequate” or “aggressive” pharmacotherapy, 46% of participants were classified as non-responders after 6 months, and 32% were considered to have responded but not remitted ( Corey-Lisle et al., 2004). However, partial and non-response to existing treatments, such as antidepressant medications, remains a significant problem. The goal of depression treatment is to help individuals achieve symptomatic remission and normal functioning. Benefits of yoga may accumulate over time. Yoga participants showed significantly better social and role functioning and general health perceptions over time.ConclusionsAlthough we did not see a difference in depression symptoms at the end of the intervention period, yoga participants showed fewer depression symptoms over the entire follow-up period. At 6-month follow-up, 51% of yoga participants demonstrated a response (⩾50% reduction in depression symptoms) compared with 31% of HLW participants (odds ratio = 2.31 p = 0.04). However, over the entire intervention and follow-up period, when controlling for baseline, yoga participants showed lower levels of depression than HLW participants (b = -1.38, s.e. Secondary outcomes included depression symptoms over the entire intervention and follow-up periods, social and role functioning, general health perceptions, pain, and physical functioning.ResultsAt 10 weeks, we did not find a statistically significant difference between groups in depression symptoms (b = -0.82, s.e. The primary outcome was depression symptom severity assessed by blind rater at 10 weeks.
The intervention period was 10 weeks, with follow-up assessments 3 and 6 months afterwards. HLW served as an attention-control group.
health education classes (Healthy Living Workshop HLW n = 59) in individuals with elevated depression symptoms and antidepressant medication use.
BackgroundThe objective of this study was to determine whether hatha yoga is an efficacious adjunctive intervention for individuals with continued depressive symptoms despite antidepressant treatment.MethodWe conducted a randomized controlled trial of weekly yoga classes (n = 63) v.