2026 ECNP Congress

PS03-3123

The effects of a mindful yoga program on postpartum depression: a randomized controlled clinical trial

Feiyang Jin — R.T.H. Ho, F.W. Ngai, P.H. Chau, K.L. Chan, S.S.Y. Yau, L.M. Yeung, Y.K. Mok, K.C.K. Lee, J. Lin · The Hong Kong Polytechinic University, Department of Rehabilitation Science, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR- China

2026 ECNP Congress

Background

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a pervasive and costly public health problem. The adverse consequences of mood disorder and poor parenting behaviour may ultimately influence the infant’s development [1]. However, most women experiencing PPD do not seek professional help. A simple, self-practice-based intervention is an ideal treatment modality, providing accessible and longitudinal individual care, for early motherhood.

Aims

The primary objective was to examine the effects of a mindful yoga program (MYP) on depression and anxiety in PPD. The secondary objectives were to examine the effects of the MYP on stress, sleep quality, quality of life, mindfulness levels, physical fitness, and the steepening of diurnal cortisol slopes, and to assess whether treatment effects, except for cortisol outcomes, were maintained at 6 months and 1 year.

Methods

This multisite randomized controlled trial recruited 256 Chinese mothers with PPD from three hospitals and randomly assigned them to a 10-week MYP or psychoeducation group. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms measured by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the secondary outcomes included anxiety, stress, sleep and quality of life. Differences between the two groups regarding demographics and baseline variables were assessed by an independent t-test and a chi-square test. Generalized linear mixed models were used to compare the changes in variables between groups at baseline, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 1-year follow-ups. Cortisol dynamic levels were assessed using the average level across the day and the diurnal cortisol slope.

Results

A total of 202 participants were included in the final analysis (n = 104 in MYP; n = 98 in psychoeducation). Compared with psychoeducation, the MYP group showed significantly greater reductions in depression measured by EPDS(p < 0.001). Significant group × time effects were also observed for anxiety (p < 0.001) and stress (p = 0.002). Sleep and quality of life domains (physical, emotional and social functioning) were significantly improved in MYP compared with psychoeducation. Mindfulness ability, particularly nonjudgment, showed a significant group × time effect (p = 0.037) after 10-week MYP. Physical effects were observed in balance (p = 0.009), and flexibility (p = 0.034) in MYP group compared with psychoeducation. Cortisol levels significantly reduced at daytime after 10 weeks in the MYP group (p = 0.011).

Conclusions

The MYP was associated with significant improvements in mood symptoms, physical and psychosocial well-being, sleep quality, and balance compared with psychoeducation, and is worth incorporating into routine clinical practice. The findings highlight the benefits of incorporating MYP into maternal mental health services on an ongoing basis. Given its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, MYP is an ideal treatment modality, providing accessible and longitudinal individual care, for women in the early stages of motherhood.

Acknowledgment:This project was funded by the Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund (Ref. Nr. 17182481).

References

  1. Goodman, S. H., Rouse, M. H., Connell, A. M., Broth, M. R., Hall, C. M., & Heyward, D. (2011). Maternal depression and child psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical child and family psychology review, 14(1), 1-27.