RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06275217

Mindful Yoga for Postpartum Depression

The Effects of a Mindful Yoga Program on Mood Symptoms and Stress for Postpartum Women With Depressive Symptoms: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Sponsor

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Enrollment

198 participants

Start Date

Jan 8, 2021

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Mood Disorders

Summary

This is a parallel-group randomized controlled trial. A total of 198 postpartum women with depressive symptoms (EPDS scores≥8 at baseline) will be recruited and randomized into two groups: 10-week mindful yoga intervention and 10-week psychoeducation program. Clinical assessment of depression, self-report questionnaires and salivary cortisol tests will be performed at baseline, after 10-week intervention, and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. The investigators expected that the mindful yoga intervention will reduce depression after 10 weeks compared to psychoeducation. The mindful yoga intervention will further reduce anxiety, stress, improve quality of life and sleep, and steepen diurnal cortisol slopes. These effects will be maintained for at least six months.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 60 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether a mindful yoga program can help women who are experiencing depression after childbirth (postpartum depression). Yoga combines gentle movement and mindfulness, which may help improve mood and reduce anxiety. **You may be eligible if...** - You are a woman between 18 and 60 years old - You are between 6 weeks and 1 year postpartum - You show signs of postpartum depression (score of 10 or higher on the EPDS screening tool) - You gave birth to a single, full-term, healthy baby - You have done very little yoga, tai chi, or mindfulness practice in the past 3 months **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You or your baby had serious complications after delivery, or your baby is in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) - You are already receiving regular psychiatric care - You are currently taking antipsychotic medications - You are pregnant again or have medical reasons not to exercise Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALMindfulness-based yoga program

The intervention includes mindfulness-based components and yoga practice. Once a week for 10 weeks, with 1.5 hours in each session (30 minutes mindfulness-based practice and 1 hour yoga practice). A well-trained research personnel will facilitate the mindfulness-based section, and a qualified yoga instructor will facilitate the yoga section.

OTHERPsychoeducation

Knowledge of perinatal mental health, stress-related management, postnatal nutrition, exercise habit and sleep hygiene will be provided to the participants in the psychoeducation group. It is a group-based intervention delivered in hybrid mode including face-to-face and online group-based class. Once a week for 10 weeks, with 1.5 hour in each session.