Can yoga lift teen depression? new study tests it against talk therapy

NCT ID NCT07475845

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Butler Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is testing whether a yoga program can help ease depression symptoms in teenagers, compared to group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Researchers will recruit 96 teens aged 12-18 with elevated depressive symptoms across two sites in Boston and Columbus. Participants will attend twice-weekly sessions for 12 weeks, with one in-person and one virtual class each week. The main goal is to see if the programs are practical and well-liked, not yet to prove which works better.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: yoga-based intervention and group cognitive-behavioral therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide evidence that yoga is a helpful, accessible option for easing depression symptoms in teens, alongside or as an alternative to talk therapy.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage pilot study focused on feasibility, not on proving effectiveness. Results may not apply to all teens, and the study does not compare against a no-treatment group.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENCE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Nationwide Children's Hospital
RECRUITING

Columbus, Ohio, 43215, United States

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