Effects of yoga on anxiety and depression for high risk mothers on hospital bedrest

Background: and purpose: In recent years, yoga practitioners have joined forces with medical programs to approach patients' well-being holistically. This study is a randomized controlled trial to assess the effects of a specialized adapted yoga program on anxiety and depression for high-risk expectant mothers on bedrest in a hospital setting. Materials and methods: Seventy-nine pregnant subjects on physician ordered hospitalized bedrest were randomized into two groups: receiving biweekly yoga sessions (intervention group) or receiving no yoga (control group). Data collection tool was the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess outcomes after delivery. Results: Yoga, even as little as three sessions, showed significant impact in reducing anxiety and depression high-risk pregnant women on hospitalized bedrest. Perceived anxiety and depression overall scores were lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Results demonstrated that yoga is an effective intervention to decrease anxiety and depression in high-risk antepartum women on hospitalized bedrest.