Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
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International journal of yoga therapy
Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Yoga on Anxiety Severity, Quality of Life, and Biomarkers in Individuals with Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent mental health conditions characterized by physiological dysregulation that includes heightened stress responses, low-grade systemic inflammation, and metabolic imbalance, which together contribute to impaired quality of life. Although yoga-based interventions are increasingly used as complementary therapies, evidence isolating the effects of slow pranayama (yoga breathing) and savasana (corpse pose) on psychological outcomes and biochemical markers in anxiety disorders remains limited. This randomized controlled study evaluated the effects of slow pranayama and savasana, implemented as adjuncts to routine psychiatric care, on anxiety severity, quality of life, and selected biochemical markers in individuals with anxiety disorders. A total of 150 people diagnosed with anxiety disorders were allocated to either routine psychiatric care alone (control group) or routine care plus slow pranayama and savasana (intervention group) for 8 weeks. We assessed anxiety severity using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, quality of life using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief questionnaire, and biochemical markers such as serum cortisol, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), inflammatory markers, and metabolic parameters. Outcomes were analyzed using mixed-design analysis of covariance with Bonferroni correction, and correlational analyses were performed between psychometric, quality-of-life, and biochemical variables. Of the enrolled participants, 112 completed the study. Significant Group × Time interactions were observed for anxiety severity scores and the physical, psychological, and environmental domains of quality of life, with improvements noted only in the pranayama group. Serum cortisol levels decreased and BDNF levels increased significantly in the intervention group compared with controls. Inflammatory and metabolic parameters did not show statistically significant changes after correction, although favorable directional trends were observed. Anxiety severity and quality-of-life scores demonstrated significant correlations with cortisol, BDNF, and inflammatory and metabolic markers. Slow pranayama and savasana appear to be safe, feasible, and effective adjuncts to standard psychiatric care, improving anxiety severity and quality of life while favorably modulating stress-related physiological markers in people with anxiety disorders.
31 July 2026
Read appraisal →Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
Efficacy of Yoga in Tobacco Cessation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco consumption is a global epidemic with a high relapse rate. A complementary method like yoga, recognized for addressing psychological and behavioral aspects of addiction, was evaluated in this systematic review and metaanlaysis. METHODS: The objective was to comprehensively summarize the current evidence and evaluate the efficacy of yoga in tobacco cessation. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025643806). A systematic search across four databases identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English up to September 2024. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) using any form of tobacco excluding vaping, randomized to yoga as monotherapy or adjunct therapy. The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence (7PPA), while the secondary outcomes included quality of life, depression, anxiety, and mood states. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2) tool. A meta-analysis was conducted for outcomes assessed in at least two studies. RESULTS: Seven RCTs were included, with five suitable for meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio for 7PPA at the end of treatment was 1.50 (95% confidence interval = 0.60 to 3.73), suggesting a positive but inconsistent effect. Considerable heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 65%, p = .07; τ2 = 0.7127), indicating substantial variability across studies. Heterogeneity (I2 = 65%) markedly reduced to 16% when high-risk trials were excluded in sensitivity analysis. Studies reported improvements in depression, anxiety, and quality of life. CONCLUSION: This review consolidates the best available evidence on the effects of yoga interventions for tobacco cessation, showcasing the promising potential of yoga in smoking cessation. IMPLICATIONS: Active yoga styles like hatha, vinyasa, and Iyengar improved 7PPA by reducing stress and depression, while pranayama reduced cravings and negative affect. Future research should explore yoga-based cessation programs in diverse settings, especially low- and middle-income countries, to address unique challenges. Standardizing methodologies across populations will enable a more comprehensive evaluation of yoga's role in tobacco cessation and its potential to enhance global public health outcomes.
25 June 2026
Read appraisal →Lasers in medical science
Effect of photobiomodulation on pain and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread pain and central sensitization that significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL). For management to be effective, a multidisciplinary approach to care is typically required. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), a non-pharmacological treatment, has garnered attention lately, though its clinical relevance and applications are not well defined. The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of PBMT in reducing FMS symptoms. This systematic review was registered at PROSPERO (CRD420251084730) and conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) reporting guidelines. A total of seven randomized controlled trials were identified following an extensive literature search across various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid and ProQuest. To evaluate the methodological quality of these studies, the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) tool was applied. PBMT demonstrated consistent short-term reductions in pain intensity and improvements in QoL. Additional positive effects on sleep quality and psychological well-being were observed, indicating that PBMT may provide additional therapeutic benefits beyond pain reduction, including improvements in sleep quality and psychological well-being. PBMT has shown promise as a safe, non-pharmacological adjunct therapy that may provide short-term improvements in pain levels and QoL, but substantial heterogeneity limits generalizability. Clinical trials with large samples and standardized methodologies should be conducted to better clarify the role of PBMT in multidisciplinary therapy for FMS.
24 June 2026
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