Impact of Yoga and Meditation on Immune System – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Yoga and Meditation is a mind body technique which has various positive effects on immune system and helps in bring down the inflammatory markers. Therefore, therapies based on Yoga and Meditation showed promising effects on immuno-compromised condition like HIV, Aim: To examine the effects of Yoga and Meditation on immune system functioning in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for conducting systematic reviews.
Methods: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and IndMED) were searched and the extraction of the applicable variables and assessing the risk of bias from the gathered studies was noted. The data analysis was done using, Review Manager software (RevMan; version 5.3.5) and R statistical software (version 3.6.1). Mean differences (MD), and standardize mean difference (SMD) were measured for continuous outcomes. Heterogeneity with the help of I2 statistic was used for the assessment of inconsistency across studies with the level of significance at P< 0.10. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Egger’s test for the selected studies.
Results:From a total of 141 papers, duplicates and other filtrations like languages other than English, non- clinical trials and non-RCT papers were excluded and finally 91 papers were selected for the present study. After the complete review of the selected papers, articles were grouped based on each immune parameters like Nuclear factor-kB , Interleukin-1b, Interleukin-6 , Tumor necrosis factor , CD4 T-cells, CD8-cells and NK cells. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of nineteen RCTs were included in the meta-analysis.
Conclusion: Yoga may have potential for the supplemental treatment and prevention of inflammation-related disorders, according to current studies. Yoga practice may be beneficial as it combines the positive effects of physical activity with those of mindfulness; consequently, more research into the advantages of yoga-based therapies is especially important.
Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number- CRD42020187532