Examined the efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in treating 46 male 18–46 yr old hospital outpatients with dysthymia. The patients practiced SKY 30 min every day for 3 mo, and avoided any medication. Patients were assessed initially and at 1- & 3-mo with interviews, video rating and self-report scales. In a subsample of 12 patients, plasma prolactin and cortisol levels were obtained before and after the 1st full SKY session. 37 patients completed the treatment and 25 remitted, with a higher proportion of those practicing SKY regularly. Significant elevation of plasma prolactin, but not cortisol occurred after the 1st SKY session. It is concluded that SKY has demonstrable biological effects and has therapeutic efficacy in dysthymic disorder.
Janakiramaiah, N., Gangadhar, B. N., Murthy, P. N. V., Harish, M. G., Shetty, K. T., Subbakrishna, D. K., … & Vedamurthachar, A. (1998). Therapeutic efficacy of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) in dysthymic disorder. Nimhans Journal, 16(1), 21-28.