The Effects of Yoga on the Health Profile, Depression and Anxiety Levels of the Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic Process: A Randomize Trial

Abstract

Objective: With the effect of the pandemic and a sedentary lifestyle, it is thought that physical health may be negatively affected. Moreover, individuals also experience negative feelings like stress and anxiety due to spending a long time at home, social isolation, changes in daily routines and constant exposure to news stories on the media about the coronavirus. Yoga-based exercises are interventions that are effective on both health and stress. This study was conducted for the purpose of determining the effects of yoga on the health profile, depression and anxiety levels of individuals in the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic process. Material and Methods: The data in this study were collected by an online survey database (Google Forms) in entire Turkey. A total of 374 individuals were reached, while 137 of these individuals stated that they did yoga-based exercises (Yoga Group), and 237 said they did not take part in any physical activity (Sedentary Group). The questionnaire was open to everyone over the age of 18, and the yoga instructors were asked to share with their groups in order to reach those who exercise yogabased. The study assessed the participants’ general health status by using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), depression by the Beck Depression Inventory and anxiety by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Result: In terms of the health profiles, there were significant differences in those who did yoga (Yoga Group) and the sedentary individuals (Sedentary Group) in all parameters of NHP except for the sleep and social isolation parameters (p<0.05). There were also significant differences between the groups in terms of their depression and anxiety levels (p<0.05). Besides, no difference was found between those who do yoga 0- 14 days and sedentary group. Conclusion: These findings show that, in the COVID-19 pandemic period, yoga has positive effects on individual’s health profile, depression and anxiety levels.