Efficacy of yoga on physiological and psychological discomforts and delivery outcomes in Chinese primiparas

Abstract

Backgroud and purpose: Almost every woman experiences discomforts during pregnancy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of yoga on physiological and psychological discomforts and delivery outcomes in Chinese primiparas.

Materials and methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants in the control group (n = 32) received routine prenatal care, whereas participants in the intervention group (n = 32) received routine prenatal care and yoga exercise three times a week for 12 weeks. Outcomes evaluated included physiological discomforts, prenatal depression, anxiety, childbirth self-efficacy and delivery outcomes. Intention-to-treat analysis was conducted.

Results: Yoga decreased the symptoms of physiological discomforts during pregnancy (F = 6.966, p = 0.010), promoted childbirth self-efficacy (F = 11.900, p = 0.001), increased the rate of vaginal delivery (χ² = 4.267, p = 0.039), and shortened the length of the first (t = -2.612, p = 0.012), second (z = -3.313, p = 0.001) and third stages of labor (z = -3.137, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: Yoga offers beneficial effects on physiological discomforts, childbirth self-efficacy and delivery outcomes in Chinese primiparas.

Keywords: Anxiety; Childbirth self-efficacy; Delivery outcomes; Depression; Physiological discomforts; Yoga.