Kundalini Yoga Is Helpful for Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder but not as Effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | NCCIH

Kundalini Yoga Is Helpful for Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder but not as Effective as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | NCCIH

Kundalini yoga can reduce anxiety in adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but it’s not as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), according to a recent NCCIH-funded study.

The study compared a Kundalini yoga program, a CBT program, and stress education as a control intervention among 230 people with GAD. All three programs involved 12 small-group sessions and daily homework.

Both CBT and Kundalini yoga reduced anxiety symptoms, but CBT was more effective. A total of 71 percent of the CBT group, 54 percent of the yoga group, and 33 percent of the stress education group responded to treatment.

The findings of this study support CBT as a first-line treatment for GAD. They also suggest that Kundalini yoga may be moderately helpful for people who have this condition.