Interest is growing in using yoga as a possible treatment for those suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or PTSD.

But research done at UNC suggests that while there are health benefits related to yoga, there is not enough evidence to support it as a solution to mental health problems.

“As a standalone treatment right now, it’s just not viable,” said Leslie Roach, a certified yoga instructor who co-authored the study. “However, I think with more education, more research, and more experienced instructors, it will be.”

The research looked at 13 literature reviews to conduct a meta-review of 185 articles published between 2000 and 2013.

They found that yoga holds potential promise for helping improve anxiety, depression, PTSD or the psychological consequences of trauma at least in the short term.

“Even though I do think yoga is, in general, incredibly beneficial, I also think there needs to be a whole lot more education about how to use yoga specifically to treat survivors of trauma in order to be the most effective and helpful,” Roach said.

Roach and UNC researcher Rebecca Macy are considering several possible future studies, including one that would examine the use of yoga within a rape crisis center or domestic violence shelter.

Related Stories
‹
'Let's Not Forget Our Neighbors': UNC Leader Shares Western NC's Needs Amid Helene Recovery
In western North Carolina, recovery continues from Hurricane Helene last fall. UNC officials are working to harness their resources to help.
UNC Chancellor Shares Updates on 'Carolina Across 100,' Off-Campus Initiatives
While classes start this week on campus, UNC is also working on several initiatives off of its campus to expand its footprint and influence.
UNC Confirms Student Death in Residence Hall 1 Week Before Classes Ended
While the UNC campus community is celebrating its last day of classes on Friday, details are emerging of a tragedy that took place one week before. A student death was reported in Thomas Ruffin Jr. Residence Hall on the morning of Friday, April 21, according to UNC Police’s crime log. WRAL first reported the student […]
UNC Student Representatives Share Successes, Farewells with Board of Trustees
UNC Student Body President Taliajah Vann and Graduate Student President Theodore Nollert shared highlights of their tenures last Thursday.
'They Are Not Alone': UNC CAPS Director Details Expansion, Vision for Mental Health Services
As mental health continues to be a dominating issue across the country, especially on college campuses, UNC is continuing to seek ways to help address its students’ needs. Now, they’re doing it with new leadership — who has already overseen some major changes. The university’s Counseling and Psychological Services, or CAPS, recently took […]
UNC School of Medicine Research Named to Forbes' Healthcare Innovators List
A UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health researcher known for studying perinatal depression just landed another honor to her decorated career. In its recent list of “16 Healthcare Innovators That You Should Know,” Forbes included Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, a long-time UNC faculty member and innovator in studying women’s mood disorders. The magazine pens that […]
'What It Comes Down To Is Relationships': Helping Kids Process Trauma
Following Tuesday's school shooting, how can we help kids process their feelings in a positive way - and how can we help ourselves?
After Bizarre Notifications, UNC Blocks Access To The Coursicle Scheduling App
UNC students are now planning their classes for fall semester, but they're doing it without an online scheduling tool that many used to take advantage of. Coursicle is a privately-owned website that makes course planning easier. The university is now blocking access to Coursicle after the site started sending users odd and offensive push notifications.
Top Stories of 2021: The Return to In-Person Learning and its Mental Toll
To reflect on the year, Chapelboro.com is re-publishing some of the top stories that impacted and defined our community’s experience in 2021. These stories and topics affected Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the rest of our region. After more than a year of virtual learning, students of all ages returned to the classroom this year. Orange […]
UNC Announces Spring 2022 'Wellness Day'
After a challenging semester with growing concerns for the mental health of students and faculty, UNC leadership announced April 14, 2022 will be observed as a wellness day. All classes are cancelled on wellness days. 
›