In 2013, technological advancements have significantly improved the survival rates for micro-premature and very low birth-weight infants. However, these improvements have also brought about substantial financial burdens on healthcare systems and society. Addressing the need for cost-effective and accessible interventions, a new study explores the potential benefits of yoga therapy (YT) for high-risk pregnancies.

A research team led by C.S. Deshpande and colleagues conducted a single-blind randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of a yoga therapy module on maternal stress levels in high-risk pregnancies. The study involved 68 pregnant women with a mean age of 27.2 years, recruited from outpatient services at a medical college and hospital in Bangalore, South India. The participants were divided into two groups: 38 women received standard antenatal care (control group), and 30 women participated in the yoga therapy module (YT group).

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to measure stress levels at three different stages of pregnancy: the 12th, 20th, and 28th weeks. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16.0, employing repeated measures ANOVA (RMANOVA) to compare the PSS scores between the two groups. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

The results revealed a significant reduction in stress levels for the YT group at the second follow-up (28th week of pregnancy) compared to the control group, with a P-value of 0.02. Women who participated in the yoga therapy module reported significantly fewer pregnancy discomforts and a notable decrease in stress levels. In contrast, the control group experienced an increase in stress levels over the same period.

This study suggests that yoga therapy can be an effective means of reducing stress in high-risk pregnancies. Not only is it a cost-effective intervention, but it is also feasible and safe for expectant mothers facing pregnancy complications. However, the researchers emphasize the need for additional well-designed studies to confirm these findings before making strong clinical recommendations.

In summary, yoga therapy presents a promising option for managing stress in high-risk pregnancies, offering a potential pathway to improved maternal health and well-being during this critical period.

Reference: Deshpande, C. S., Rakshani, A., Nagarathna, R., Ganpat, T. S., Kurpad, A., Maskar, R., & Ramarao, N. H. (2013). Yoga for high‑risk pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Annals of medical and health sciences research, 3(3), 341-344.