Yoga practice duration and its influence on type 2 diabetes management: A meta-analysis of Asian population

The study compares the effectiveness of yoga practice duration in managing type 2 diabetes (T2D) among the Asian population. Out of 664 results, 22 randomized clinical trials were identified with 1,720 participants, aged 18-65 years, with intervention periods ranging from 5.5 to 24 weeks. Yoga therapies of ≥12 weeks show significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (Standard Mean Deviation [SMD] = -0.70, p = 0.0001, I 2 = 89%), while interventions of <12 weeks did not have statistically significant difference (SMD = -1.04, p = 0.28, I 2 = 93%). Weight loss was significant for interventions <12 weeks (SMD = -0.60, p = 0.05, I 2 = 0%) but not for those ≥12 weeks (SMD = -0.58, p = 0.17, I 2 = 92%). Lipid profile changes varied, with significant reductions in the lipid profile (total cholesterol) (SMD = -0.34, p = 0.05, I 2 = 85%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL; SMD = -0.30, p = 0.05, I 2 = 79%) for interventions of ≥12 weeks, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL; SMD = 0.37, p = 0.04, I 2 = 85%) increased significantly in this group. Yoga interventions of ≥12 weeks were associated with significant improvements in glycemic control, particularly reductions in HbA1c, along with favorable changes in the lipid profile, among T2D individuals.