A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing prenatal yoga to perinatal health education for antenatal depression

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2016 Jun;19(3):543-7. doi: 10.1007/s00737-015-0571-7. Epub 2015 Sep 18.

Abstract

We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing a prenatal yoga intervention to perinatal-focused health education in pregnant women with depression. Findings document acceptability and feasibility of the yoga intervention: no yoga-related injuries were observed, instructors showed fidelity to the yoga manual, and women rated interventions as acceptable. Although improvements in depression were not statistically different between groups, they favored yoga. This study provides support for a larger scale RCT examining prenatal yoga to improve mood during pregnancy.

Keywords: Clinical trial; Depression; Pregnancy; Treatment; Yoga.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Health Education*
  • Humans
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Prenatal Care
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Yoga*