Am J Gastroenterol

Yoga shows limited benefit for IBS symptoms, meta-analysis shows

May 19, 2025

Study details: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 randomized controlled trials with a total of 535 patients that evaluated the effect of yoga on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. The studies varied in terms of yoga intervention type, duration (six weeks to eight months), and session length (40 to 90 minutes). Primary outcomes assessed were the severity of GI symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL).

Results: No significant differences were found between yoga and control groups in the following:

• Alleviating GI symptom severity: standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.51 to 0.18, p=0.12
• Anxiety: SMD -0.39, 95% CI -0.85 to 0.06, p=0.09
• Depression: SMD -0.46, 95% CI -1.15 to 0.22, p=0.19
• Improving QoL: SMD: 0.53, 95% CI -0.38 to 1.44, p=0.25

Heterogeneity and high risk of bias among the included studies were significant limitations.

Clinical impact: Yoga, as currently studied, doesn’t significantly reduce GI symptoms, anxiety, depression, or improve QoL in patients with IBS. Given the considerable methodological heterogeneity and high risk of bias, further large-scale studies are needed to provide more definitive evidence.

Source:

Saab O, et al. (2025, May 13). Am J Gastroenterol. Yoga for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40358469/