The Effects of Yoga on Student Mental Health

Last updated: February 4, 2020
Sponsor: University of Oslo
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Sleep Disorders

Depression

Narcolepsy

Treatment

N/A

Clinical Study ID

NCT04258540
2016/1751 C
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The investigators performed a randomised controlled trial with 202 healthy university students in the Oslo area, with 50:50 in a yoga intervention group and a waitlist control group. Measures included symptoms of depression and anxiety, sleep problems, heart rate variability (HRV), well-being and mindfulness at week 0 (baseline), week 12 (post-intervention) and week 24 (follow-up).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Living in the Oslo area

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • No serious mental health diagnoses

  • No recent major life crisis

  • No systematic yoga practice during the prior six months

Study Design

Total Participants: 202
Study Start date:
December 16, 2016
Estimated Completion Date:
February 20, 2018

Study Description

Universities around the world are facing an epidemic of mental health problems among their students. The problem is truly a public health issue, affecting many and with serious consequences. Moreover, the global burden of disease-agenda calls for effective interventions with lasting effects that have the potential to improve the mental health of young adults. In this study the investigators aimed to determine whether yoga, a popular and widely available mind-body practice, can improve student mental health.

The participants were randomly assigned to a yoga group or waitlist control group in a 1:1 ratio by a simple online randomisation program. The intervention group was offered 24 yoga sessions over 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at week 0 (baseline), week 12 (post-intervention), and week 24 (follow-up). The primary outcome was psychological distress assessed by the HSCL-25 questionnaire. Analysis was performed based on the intention to treat-principle.

The methods were laid out in a protocol, previously published on the website of the study. (available at http://yogastudy.tilda.ws/). The planned analyses were very straightforward and included a description of the study participants, and simple analyses of each of the a priori selected outcome measures. We have not included or excluded any variables post-hoc.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Oslo

    Oslo,
    Norway

    Site Not Available

Map preview placeholder

Not the study for you?

Let us help you find the best match. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.