Table 2.
Results of subgroup analyses: effect sizes, number of trials, and number of participants per subgroup.
| Subgroup category | Number of trials | Number of participants | Effect size (confidence interval), mmHg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systolic | Diastolic | |||
| Type of yoga intervention* | ||||
| (1) P, M, B | 11 | 431 | −8.17 (−12.75, − 3.89) | −6.14 (−9.39, − 2.89) |
| (2) 2 or less of PMB | 8 | 403 | 0.19 (−1.70, 2.07) | 0.38 (−1.55, 2.32) |
| (3) (±P ± M ± B) + other intervention | 3 | 109 | −11.87 (−26.43, 2.70) | −7.35 (−16.20, 1.50) |
| Type of comparison group* | ||||
| (1) No intervention or usual care | 13 | 656 | −7.96 (−10.65, − 5.27) | −5.52 (−7.92, − 3.11) |
| (2) Exercise or exercise + additional intervention | 3 | 97 | 2.87 (1.42, 4.31) | −0.30 (−1.47, 0.87) |
| (3) Non-exercise intervention | 6 | 190 | 1.14 (−3.37, 5.66) | −0.35 (−3.56, 2.86) |
| Length of yoga intervention | ||||
| (1) ≤ mean (58.9 hours) | 16 | 728 | −3.11 (−5.49, − 0.73) | −2.55 (−2.95, 2.15) |
| (2) > mean (58.9 hours) | 6 | 215 | −9.73 (−17.66, − 1.79) | −1.83 (3.59, − 0.07) |
Types of yoga intervention: P: postures; B: breathing; M: meditation; 1 = P + M + B, 2 = any 2 of these or less; 3: (±P ± M ± B) + Other intervention.
Length of yoga intervention: 16 trials (12 studies) were categorized as being of short duration as they fell below the mean value across all studies of 58.9 hours; 6 trials (5 studies) were categorized as being of long duration.
*Significant effect of subgroup differences, P < 0.001.