The therapeutic potential of practising yoga for trauma-related mental health problems is being increasingly investigated. However, there is little research on yoga as treatment for patients with Complex Trauma Experiences (CTE) specifically, and how adult patients with CTE experience yoga as treatment.

The aim of this Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) was to explore and synthesize qualitative research on how adult patients with CTE experience yoga as treatment for trauma-related mental health problems.

We searched seven databases until July 25, 2024, and screened 1973 studies. We included studies written in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, English, or Spanish, with qualitative design, that were peer-reviewed, published, and available during the search period. Five studies were included after quality appraisal. Thematic Synthesis was used to synthesize the findings.

An overarching analytical theme “yoga as a multifaceted, transformative treatment process that extends beyond the yoga mat into daily life and self-reformation” was developed with three main themes: 1) “Yoga as new encounters with oneself on the yoga mat”, 2) “Yoga as possibilities for daily life coping”, and 3) “Yoga as opportunities for personal growth”. The confidence in the findings were assessed to be of moderate to high confidence.

This review indicates that adult patients with CTE experience yoga as treatment as a comprehensive therapeutic journey. Based on these findings, implications regarding the integration, recognition and exploration of yoga as a multifaceted, transformative treatment process for adult patients with CTE are presented to support future practice, policy and research.