Long-term Add-on Yoga Therapy Modulates Oxidative Stress Pathway and Offers Clinical Benefits in Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Yoga therapy (YT) as an adjunct treatment has reportedly been demonstrated to offer clinical benefits in major depressive disorder (MDD). Although a few biological pathways are suggested to mediate the effects of yoga, the precise mechanistic basis remains unknown. Oxidative stress pathway activation has consistently been linked to the pathobiology of MDD. Whether YT has a modulatory effect on the oxidative stress pathway in MDD is not adequately understood. Aim and Objectives: In this study, we examined the impact of a course (3 months) of yoga as an add on therapy on the markers of the oxidative stress pathway in MDD patients. Methods: Thirty-three MDD patients were randomized to the YT ( n = 16) and waitlist control (WC) ( n = 17) groups. Colorimetric estimation of the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant (AO) levels was performed in all the study participants using commercially available kits at the baseline and after 3 months. Results: A significant reduction of plasma MDA levels was observed in MDD patients of YT group ( P = 0.05) after 3 months of YT. Notably, the plasma MDA levels also decreased in MDD patients of WC group ( P = 0.015) after the trial period. In addition, levels of total AO showed a trend toward significance only in MDD patients after 3 months of YT ( P = 0.07). Conclusion: The current study suggests that the benefits of YT might be mediated through its modulatory role on the oxidative stress pathway in MDD.