Yoga-based lifestyle intervention for antenatal depression (YOGA-D): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Antenatal depression poses risks to both mother and child, including preterm labor and adverse developmental outcomes.
• Concerns exist regarding the safety of antidepressants during pregnancy, highlighting the need for non-pharmacological interventions.
• Many pregnant women in rural India lack awareness of their depression and access to suitable treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a yoga-based lifestyle intervention for antenatal depression (YOGA-D).
• To explore implementation barriers in a low-resource rural setting in Maharashtra, India.
• To inform the design of a future explanatory randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, individual randomized controlled pilot trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio.
• Participants (12-26 weeks pregnant) were assigned to either Yoga-Sanskar (YS) intervention or Enhanced Usual Care (EUC).
• Feasibility assessed via recruitment, retention, and completion rates; depression measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (Marathi version) at baseline, 3 months, and post-delivery.

Main Results:

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Conclusions:

• This pilot trial will provide crucial insights into the barriers of implementing yoga interventions for antenatal depression in rural India.
• Learnings from this study will guide the subsequent explanatory randomized controlled trial.
• Yoga presents a potential culturally relevant, self-care approach for managing antenatal depression in underserved populations.