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Objective: To examine the added value of a 9-week mindful yoga intervention (MYI) as add-on to treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing depression for young women (18–34 years) with major depressive disorder (MDD). Method: Randomized controlled trial (RCT; n = 171) comparing TAU + MYI with TAU-only. Assessments were at baseline, postintervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Primary outcome measures were clinician-rated and self-reported symptoms of depression, together with a diagnostic interview to establish MDD diagnosis that was restricted to the baseline and 12-month follow-up assessments. Quality of life in various domains was assessed as secondary outcome measure. As potential mediators for treatment efficacy, we included self-report measures of rumination, self-criticism, self-compassion, intolerance of uncertainty, perceived body awareness and dispositional mindfulness, together with behavioral measures of attentional bias (AB) and depression-related self-associations. Results: Adding MYI to TAU did not lead to greater reduction of depression symptoms, lower rate of MDD diagnosis or increase in quality of life in various domains of functioning at post and follow-up assessments. There were no indirect effects through any of the potential mediators, with the exception of self-compassion. Conclusion: Adding MYI to TAU appeared not more efficacious than TAU-only in reducing depression symptoms in young women. What is the public health significance of this article?: Overall, this study suggests that adding a mindful yoga intervention to treatment as usual for young women with depression does not lead to increased benefits in terms of stronger reduction in symptoms of depression, lower rate of major depressive disorder diagnosis, or better quality of life within various domains of functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite the gains made by current first‐line interventions for major depressive disorder (MDD), modest rates of treatment response and high relapse indicate the need to augment existing interventions. Following theory and initial research indicating the promise of mindful yoga interventions (MYIs), this study examines mindful yoga as a treatment of MDD. Methods/Design: This randomized controlled trial uses a sample of young females (18–34 years) to examine the efficacy and cost‐effectiveness of a 9‐week manualized MYI added to treatment as usual (TAU) versus TAU alone. Primary outcome measures consist of clinician‐administered (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and self‐report (Depression‐Anxiety‐Stress Scales) measures of depression. Underlying mechanisms will be examined, including rumination, negative self‐evaluation, intolerance of uncertainty, interoceptive awareness, and dispositional mindfulness. Assessments were conducted at preintervention and will be conducted at postintervention, 6‐, and 12‐month follow up. Results: The baseline sample consists of 171 females (88 were randomized into the MYI), reporting a baseline Mage = 25.08 years (SDage = 4.64), MHamilton‐depression = 18.39 (SDHamilton = 6.00), and a MDASS‐depression = 21.02 (SDDASS = 9.36). Conclusion: This trial will provide important information regarding the benefits of adding yoga‐based interventions to TAU for young women with MDD and the mechanisms through which such benefits may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]