Abstract
Background
Excessive stress during pregnancy may cause mental disorders in pregnant women and
inhibit fetal growth. Yoga may alleviate stress during pregnancy.
Aim
To verify the immediate effects of yoga on stress response during pregnancy.
Methods
One group pre–post test was conducted at a hospital in Japan. We recruited 60 healthy
primiparas without complications and asked them to attend yoga classes twice a month
and to practice yoga at their homes using DVD 3 times a week from 20 gestational weeks
until childbirth. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase concentration were measured
before and after yoga classes at time 1 (27–32 gestational weeks) and time 2 (34–37
gestational weeks). Subjective mood was assessed using the profile of mood states.
Saliva values and mood scores before and after each yoga class were compared using
paired t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively.
Findings
We analyzed 44 and 35 women at time 1 and time 2, respectively. The mean salivary
cortisol concentration declined significantly after each yoga class [time 1: 0.36–0.26 μg/dL (p < 0.001), time 2: 0.32–0.26 μg/dL (p = 0.001)]. The mean salivary alpha-amylase concentration also decreased significantly
following each class [time 1: 72.2–50.8 kU/L (p = 0.001), time 2: 70.6–52.7 kU/L (p = 0.006)]. The scores for negative dimensions of mood (Trait-Anxiety, Depression, Anger-Hostility,
Fatigue, and Confusion) decreased significantly. The scores of Vigor for a positive
dimension of mood significantly increased.
Conclusion
This study indicated the immediate stress reduction effects of yoga during pregnancy.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 16, 2016
Accepted:
April 4,
2016
Received in revised form:
January 26,
2016
Received:
October 15,
2015
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2016 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
