Yoga As A Holistic Intervention For Reducing Problematic Smartphone Use In Healthcare Education: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) has become a growing concern in healthcare education, leading to decreased academic performance, increased stress, and impaired well-being among students. Yoga, as a holistic mind-body intervention, has shown potential in promoting self-regulation, mindfulness, and stress reduction—key factors in mitigating PSU. This systematic review examines the efficacy of yoga as an intervention for reducing PSU among healthcare students.

A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published up to 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, and pre-post interventions evaluating yoga’s impact on PSU, mindfulness, stress, or related behavioral outcomes in healthcare education settings. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively due to methodological heterogeneity.

Preliminary findings suggest that yoga-based interventions, particularly those incorporating mindfulness meditation, breathwork (pranayama), and physical postures (asanas), may reduce smartphone dependency by enhancing self-awareness and impulse control. Studies reported significant improvements in stress reduction, attention regulation, and emotional balance, which are inversely associated with PSU. However, limited high-quality RCTs specifically targeting PSU in healthcare students highlight the need for further rigorous research.

In conclusion, yoga shows promise as a holistic, non-pharmacological approach to reducing PSU in healthcare education by fostering mental resilience and healthier digital habits. Future studies should employ standardized yoga protocols and objective PSU measures to strengthen evidence-based recommendations for integrating yoga into student wellness programs.