Mental health challenges among children and adolescents are becoming an increasing concern worldwide, effecting education, social development and overall wellbeing. While medication and psychological therapies remain important, growing evidence suggests that yoga could serve as a valuable complementary approach in managing a range of psychiatric conditions in young people.
A comprehensive review by researchers from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, found that yoga interventions may help improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and learning disabilities among children and adolescents.
The study was conducted by Dr. Bichitra Nanda Patra, Dr. Kanika Khandelwal, Dr. Rajesh Sagar and Dr. Gautam Sharma from the Departments of Psychiatry and Cardiology at AIIMS, New Delhi, and was published in the International Journal of Yoga.
Why Mental Health in Young People Matters
Mental health disorders account for a significant share of the global disease burden. In children and adolescents, poor mental health can affect school attendance, academic performance, social relationships and quality of life. It is also linked to higher risks of substance abuse, violence and self harm.
Given the complex nature of psychiatric disorders, experts increasingly support a combination of medical and non medical interventions to improve outcomes.
What the Review Found
The researchers analysed 11 randomised controlled trials involving 476 children and adolescents aged between 3 and 18 years. The studies examined the impact of yoga on conditions including depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism and learning disabilities.
Across the studies, yoga programmes typically included physical postures, breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and meditation, delivered over several weeks.
Benefits Seen Across Different Conditions
The review found that yoga was associated with improvements in several mental health outcomes.
Among adolescents with anxiety and depression, participants reported lower stress levels, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, improved physical fitness and better ability to cope with everyday challenges.
In children with ADHD, yoga was linked to improvements in attention, concentration and behavioural regulation. Some studies also reported reductions in hyperactivity and impulsivity.
For children with autism, yoga based programmes appeared to improve social interaction, sensory processing and overall behavioural outcomes.
Researchers also found evidence suggesting that yoga may help reduce anxiety and improve mood in children with learning disabilities.
A Useful Complementary Approach
While the findings are encouraging, the authors noted that many of the studies involved relatively small sample sizes and short intervention periods. Larger studies are needed to better understand the long term benefits of yoga and how it compares with other therapeutic approaches.
Nevertheless, the review concluded that yoga shows significant promise as a non pharmacological intervention for children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders.
According to the researchers, yoga can be a safe and accessible complementary therapy that supports conventional treatment for young people with mental health conditions. The review recommends that clinicians consider incorporating yoga into broader mental health care programmes to help improve psychological wellbeing and quality of life among children and adolescents.
