Study Shows Effectiveness of Yoga for Prenatal Depression

Amy Taylor March 13, 2015

Women experience a wide range of emotions during pregnancy, ranging from joy to excitement, fear and apprehension. Whether it is planned or unplanned, pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience. And that is why some women suffer from a mental health disorder that too often causes a huge impact in their life.

In a small pilot study carried out by researchers from Butler Hospital, Women & Infants’ Hospital, and Brown University, yoga was found to be an effective therapy for women suffering from prenatal depression.

For the study, researchers examined whether a 10-week programme of prenatal yoga could be a feasible, acceptable, safe, and effective intervention for women with mild to moderate depression. In addition to practicing yoga and mindfulness during the classes, the participants were also encouraged to do so at home.

The study confirms the long-held belief that yoga can help people feel better about themselves.

“What we feel like we’ve learned from this open pilot trial is that prenatal yoga really does appear to be an approach that is feasible to administer, acceptable to women and their healthcare providers, and potentially helpful to improve mood,” says lead author Cynthia Battle, Ph.D. In prior studies, she discovered that some pregnant women with depression are hesitant to taking medications, and some have difficulty engaging in individual psychotherapy.

Though the study lacked the presence of a control group, it provides signs that prenatal yoga could be helpful. It also showed that the more frequent the women practised prenatal yoga, the more they benefitted psychologically.

The researchers also measured significant changes in some attributes of mindfulness, which many they believe is one mechanism by which yoga may reduce depression. They also note that measuring levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines – biomarkers of stress – can help explain how yoga can help reduce symptoms of stress.

“This is not the definitive study where we can say that this is an efficacious frontline treatment, however it is a study suggesting that we know enough now to warrant the next, larger study,” she said.

Their findings were published in the journal Women’s Health Issues.

Source of this article: Yoga May Help Ease Prenatal Depression