Research Summary

Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Yoga improves mental health in adults with type 2 diabetes

Last updated August 16, 2026

Key finding

The intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in depression.

This study evaluated the impact of yoga on physical and mental health in adults with Type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in depression, stress, cognitive function, and mindfulness.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the impact of yoga on physical and mental health in adults with Type 2 diabetes, finding significant improvements in depression, stress, cognitive function, and mindfulness.

Clinical relevance

These findings suggest that incorporating yoga into treatment plans for adults with Type 2 diabetes may enhance mental health and overall well-being, which is crucial given the psychological burden often associated with chronic conditions. Improved mental health can lead to better adherence to diabetes management and potentially improve quality of life.

Keep in mind

The study's sample size may limit generalizability. The effects on HbA1c were not statistically significant. Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Poongothai S, Anjana RM, Latha S, et al. Impact of Yoga on Physical and Mental Health in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. International Journal of Yoga. 2025;18(1):67-73. doi:10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_219_24

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Main Effects

Depression improved significantly with a reduction of 3.5 points (p=0.001).

Stress levels decreased significantly by 2.3 points (p=0.001).

Cognitive function increased significantly by 0.8 points (p=0.02).

Mindfulness improved significantly with an increase of 5 points (p=0.001).

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Yoga Group (YG) and Cognitive function, Depression score, HbA1c, and 2 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Yoga Group (YG)

Outcome

Cognitive function

Evidence topic

Mental Health

Primary intervention

Yoga Group (YG)

Primary outcomes

Cognitive function
Depression score
HbA1c

Evidence topics

Mental Health HbA1c Reduction

Primary intervention

Yoga Group (YG)

Primary outcomes

Cognitive function Depression score HbA1c

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

Evidence pairs

Relationships

Evidence topics

contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

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Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

Why it is useful

Contributes to 5 evidence relationships
Includes primary outcome data
Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Mental Health

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

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Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Cognitive function

Yoga Group (YG) → Cognitive function

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

Depression score

Yoga Group (YG) → Depression score

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

Yoga Group (YG) → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Moderate; Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™: 75; Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 35; mixed

Based on 2 studies

Add to Evidence Tracker

Mindfulness

Yoga Group (YG) → Mindfulness

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Emerging; Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: unclear; Not enough independent studies

Based on 1 study

Add to Evidence Tracker

Stress

Yoga Group (YG) → Stress

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Moderate; Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 2 studies

Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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Evidence Suggest

Yoga significantly reduced depression scores by 3.5 points.
Stress levels decreased by 2.3 points after the intervention.
Mindfulness increased significantly by 5 points.

Who this applies to

Adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Individuals seeking alternative methods to improve mental health.

Keep in Mind

The study did not find significant changes in blood sugar control.
Results may not be applicable to all demographics.
The intervention's long-term effects are unknown.

Between the Lines

The study's sample size may limit generalizability.
The effects on HbA1c were not statistically significant.
Potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.

Evidence Library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Yoga Group (YG) and HbA1c, Yoga Group (YG) and Mental Health.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Behavioral & Lifestyle

Detailed evidence

Yoga Group (YG) → HbA1c

Behavioral & Lifestyle

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Moderate; Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™: 75; Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 35; mixed

Based on 2 studies

View evidence

Behavioral & Lifestyle

Detailed evidence

Yoga Group (YG) → Mental Health

Behavioral & Lifestyle

Evidence Intelligence™

EvidenceScore™: Moderate; Score 69 · Based on 2 studies
ImpactScore™: 100; Very Positive
ConsistencyScore™: 100; consistent

Based on 2 studies

View evidence

Included in these evidence collections

Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.

HbA1c Evidence Hub

All studies measuring HbA1c

2 studies

outcome_hub

Measures HbA1c as a key outcome.

Mental Health Evidence Hub

All studies measuring Mental Health

2 studies

outcome_hub

Measures Mental Health as a key outcome.

Yoga Group (YG) Evidence Hub

All studies on Yoga Group (YG)

2 studies

intervention_hub

Contributes to Yoga Group (YG) evidence base.

Recent Diabetes Research

Latest published studies

recency_collection

Published within the last 2 years.

Explore more in Evidence Explorer

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All studies on Yoga Group (YG) and HbA1c

Intervention: Yoga Group (YG)Outcome: HbA1c

2 results

All studies on Yoga Group (YG) and Stress

Intervention: Yoga Group (YG)Outcome: Stress

2 results

All studies on Yoga Group (YG)

Intervention: Yoga Group (YG)

2 results

All studies measuring HbA1c

Outcome: HbA1c

2 results

All studies measuring Stress

Outcome: Stress

2 results

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Yoga Group (YG) improve stress?

Moderate Evidence

Yoga Group (YG) appears to improve stress.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Stress
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

Does Yoga Group (YG) lower HbA1c?

Moderate Evidence

Yoga Group (YG) may lower HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Results are mixed and should be interpreted cautiously.

Evidence caveat: The available evidence reports mixed findings.

Ranked evidence signals

1
HbA1c
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 69.0 | moderate positive | ConsistencyScore™ Mixed | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is cautious because the available studies report mixed findings.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

Does Yoga Group (YG) improve cognitive function?

Emerging Evidence

Yoga Group (YG) appears to improve cognitive function.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Cognitive function
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

Does Yoga Group (YG) improve depression score?

Emerging Evidence

Yoga Group (YG) appears to improve depression score.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Depression score
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.

View Full Evidence

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Next steps

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Evidence topics

Follow the topics this study contributes to.

Mental Health Evidence Hub HbA1c Reduction Evidence Hub

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All studies on Yoga Group (YG) and Stress All studies on Yoga Group (YG) and Cognitive function All studies on Yoga Group (YG) and Depression score All studies on Yoga Group (YG) and Mindfulness

Related research

Read related research summaries.

Yoga and Naturopathy Improve Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Acupuncture with Diet May Improve Depression in Diabetics Adding diabetes medications to metformin improves glycemic control in adults with T2 diabetes.Almond-Based Diet Improves Depression and Glycometabolism in Type 2 Diabetes HRS-7535 improves glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes

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