Abstract
Objective: To study the effect of Yoga in pregnancy on maternal
depression using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale.
Design: A Randomised Control Study from December 2020 to
September 2022. Setting: Tertiary care (Referral centre)
Sample: 260 pregnant patients were screened, 32 declined to
participate in the study and 28 were excluded based on the exclusion
criteria. The remaining 200 women, matched for age, weight, parity and
physical activity were randomised into two groups: Group I (n = 100,
undergoing Yoga therapy) and Group II (n = 100, given usual antenatal
care). There was no loss to follow up or any adverse effect seen in
either group. Methods: A trained instructor provided two
physical sessions of Yoga, each lasting for 60 minutes and further
online sessions for five days a week for 3 months. Main outcome
measure: Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS) questionnaire was
assessed as the primary outcome at recruitment, 32 weeks (Antenatal), 1
week and 6 week post-partum in both the groups. Results: In the
200 women randomised and matched for age, weight, parity and physical
activity there was no complication seen throughout the pregnancy and no
patient was lost to follow up in either group. The majority of patients
exhibited a decline in the EPDS score in Group 1 (45%) compared to
Group 2 in which the majority had same score (64%). The mean difference
of scores between recruitment and 6 week post-partum was statistically
significant [p value = <0.05]. Conclusion: Yoga in
pregnancy significantly decreases maternal depression in an easy manner
with no proven adverse effects.