218. A SINGLE YOGA SESSION FOR ANXIETY AND STRESS IN ADULTS WITH OR WITHOUT MENTAL ILLNESSES: A SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract Background Yoga, a widely practiced mind-body exercise, has demonstrated significant benefits for anxiety, stress, and depression in both healthy adults and those with mental illnesses. While brief yoga sessions may appeal to individuals seeking shorter interventions, a comprehensive evaluation of single-session yoga interventions remains limited. Aims & Objectives This scoping review aims to 1) map clinical trials investigating single yoga interventions for anxiety and stress reduction and 2) identify evidence gaps regarding the effects of single yoga sessions on anxiety and stress in healthy adults and patients with mental illnesses. Method A systematic search of multiple bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) was conducted using keywords such as "yoga," "single session," "anxiety," and "stress." Studies evaluating the physiological and psychological effects of single yoga sessions on anxiety and stress in healthy adults or patients with mental illnesses were included. Data on session types, study settings, participant characteristics, measurements, and findings were synthesized. Results Of 3024 initial records, 30 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis: 25 studies focused on healthy adults and five studies targeted patients with mental illnesses, involving 1548 participants (1215 healthy adults and 333 patients). Most studies were conducted in India (36.7%) and the U.S.A. (36.7%), primarily targeting younger participants. Sessions lasted 30–60 minutes and mainly involved Hatha yoga or breathing exercises. In studies involving patients with mental illnesses (generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia), yoga session was integrated into standard clinical treatments. Three studies (75%) reported significant reductions in anxiety post-session, particularly those using breathing exercises and asanas. Two studies (66.7%) also observed reductions in stress through combinations of breathing exercises, asanas, and meditation or mindfulness. Interventions for patients with mental illnesses tended to be shorter and less intensive than those for healthy adults. For both populations, Hatha yoga was the most common approach, and sessions exceeding 30 minutes effectively reduced anxiety and stress. Single-session interventions, particularly those supervised by medical or allied health staff or conducted in group settings, were found feasible for individuals over 30 years of age in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. Discussion & Conclusions This scoping review highlights the potential of single yoga sessions to alleviate anxiety and stress in both healthy adults and patients with mental illnesses. Hatha yoga sessions lasting more than 30 minutes may complement clinical treatments for mental health conditions. Shorter, group-based sessions supervised by medical staff appear especially practical for patients with mental illnesses. However, this scoping review has limitations. It relied solely on published data, excluding unpublished studies, and did not consider the influence of cultural background, race, or nationality. Moreover, as a scoping review, it does not quantitatively assess the effectiveness of single yoga sessions. Future systematic reviews and meta-analyses are necessary to address these gaps. Further research should identify the most effective types of single-session yoga interventions for patients with mental illnesses and establish clinical guidelines for their application.