Yoga as Potential Therapy for Burnout: Health Technology Assessment Report on Efficacy, Safety, Economic, Social, Ethical, Legal and Organizational Aspects

• Published in: Current psychiatry reports 2024-09
• Main Authors: Schröter, Marleen, Cramer, Holger, Haller, Heidemarie, Huster, Stefan, Lampert, Ulrike, Schaefer, Martin, Janssen-Schauer, Gesa, Meier, Friedhelm, Neumann, Anja, Neusser, Silke, Koch, Anna K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1523-3812; 1535-1645; 1535-1645
• DOI: 10.1007/s11920-024-01516-1

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This health technology assessment aimed to systematically assess the efficacy and safety of yoga as therapy for burnout. Economic, ethical, legal, social and organizational aspects were considered as well. RECENT FINDINGS: Yoga as a therapy has been shown to have positive effects on a range of symptoms, including stress, anxiety and depression. Regarding work-related stress and burnout, the effects of yoga have mainly been examined in a preventative context. Meta-analyses revealed no effects on burnout severity comparing yoga with passive controls in general. Compared with passive controls, yoga had a positive effect on subjective stress. Compared to active control, yoga had an effect on the burnout subscale depersonalization on individual study level. Yoga may have positive effects on burnout, but the results are mixed. Common definitions and standardized diagnostic tools are necessary to improve research and further assess yoga as therapy for burnout. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The HTA is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022299405, on 6th February 2022.