Title: Effects of Yoga on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ana Leticia Fornari Caprara, Jamir Pitton Rissardo, and Ian M. Walker
Conference: 2026 MDS-PAS, Houston, TX
Objective
To determine the impact of yoga interventions on motor and non-motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background
Yoga, a mind-body practice combining specific body postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, has been proposed as an adjunct therapy for PD. While individual trials suggest benefits for motor function and psychological well-being, pooled evidence remains limited.
Design/Methods
We systematically searched major databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) for randomized controlled trials comparing yoga to control interventions in PD. Eligible studies reported changes in motor symptoms (UPDRS-III), balance (Mini-BEST, BBS), freezing of gait (FOG), and psychological outcomes (BAI, HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression). Standardized mean differences (SMD) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using fixed-effect and random-effect models.
Results
Six trials (174 n.E. and n.C 166) met inclusion criteria. Yoga significantly improved motor symptoms [UPDRS-III: MD fixed-effect –3.80 (95% CI: –5.28; –2.33) and random-effect –3.87 (95% CI: –5.44; –2.29); I2 1.5%] and balance [BBS: MD 3.8 (95% CI: 2.19; 5.41)] inconsistently [Mini-BEST: MD 1.98 (95% CI: –0.13; 4.09); I2 0%]. Freezing of gait showed no significant improvement [MD –0.93 (95% CI: –3.52; 1.6)]. For psychological outcomes, yoga was associated with mild reductions in depression [HADS-depression: MD –0.92 (95% CI: –1.43; –0.40); I2 84%]; though anxiety [HADS-anxiety: MD –0.49 (95% CI: –0.99; 0.02); I2 83%] and BAI [SMD –0.52 (95% CI: –1.11; 0.07); I2 85%] results were inconsistent. Heterogeneity was low to high, likely due to differences in yoga practices, session frequency and duration, and disease severity.
Conclusions
Yoga provides clinically meaningful improvements in motor function and balance and may reduce anxiety and depression in PD. These findings support yoga as a safe, accessible adjunct to standard care. Future research should standardize intervention protocols and assess long-term sustainability.
Citation
Caprara ALF, Rissardo JP, Walker I. Effects of Yoga on Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2026;13(S1):S97–S98. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.7047.
Figure 1. Forest plots showing pooled effects of yoga interventions on UPDRS-III, Mini-BEST, HADS-Anxiety, HADS-Depression, and BAI outcomes, with mean differences and 95% confidence intervals.