Rehabilitating Psychological Well-being in the Postpartum Phase: The Impact of Yoga Therapy and Overcoming Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15391/prrht.2024-9(6).01Abstract
Purpose. The study aimed to promote, foster, and cultivate psychological well-being among women during their postpartum phase and devise yoga-based interventions that enhance the psychological well-being of postpartum women.
Material and Method. A 'mood and self-esteem measure' was employed to evaluate 50 participants who had recently given birth at Annamalai University Hospitals in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. In the yoga sessions, these individuals were randomly assigned to either a yoga group (N = 25) or a control group (N = 25) comprising 16 instructional units conducted over eight weeks. Those who completed the postpartum therapy and participated in the study received continuous supervision. The yoga sessions took place in a public setting, and the duration gradually increased from 25 minutes, including setup and conclusion, in the initial four weeks to 35 minutes from the fifth week to the eighth week.
Result. The group participating in yoga demonstrated significantly more pronounced improvements in depression, anger, and tension compared to the control group, indicating moderate to substantial benefits. Yoga therapy groups and control of anger (t=44.10 and.338) and the depression (t =74.789 and 1.653). Tension (t =24.608 and .428). The yoga therapy groups exhibited significant alterations.
Conclusion. The results endorse yoga as a potential complementary therapy for women in the postpartum phase.
References
Abadibavil, D., Sharifi, N., Dashti, S., & Najafi, T. F. (2021). Effects of yoga in pregnancy on postpartum depression: A systematic review. Modern Care Journal, 18(2), e115237. https://doi.org/10.5812/modernc.115237
Beddoe, A.E., Paul Yang, C.P., Kennedy, H.P., Weiss, S.J., & Lee, K.A. (2009). The effects of mindfulness-based yoga during pregnancy on maternal psychological and physical distress. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 38(3), 310–319. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2009.01023.x
Bershadsky, S., Trumpfheller, L., Kimble, H.B., Pipaloff, D., & Yim, I.S. (2014). The effect of prenatal Hatha yoga on affect, cortisol, and depressive symptoms. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 20(2), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.01.002
Bielawska‐Batorowicz, E., & Kossakowska‐Petrycka, K. (2006). Depressive mood in men after the birth of their offspring in relation to a partner's depression, social support, fathers' personality, and prenatal expectations. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 24(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646830500475179
Brown, S., & Lumley, J. (2000). Physical health problems after childbirth and maternal depression at six to seven months postpartum. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 107(10), 1194–1201. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2000.tb11607.x
Buttner, M. M., Brock, R. L., O’Hara, M. W., & Stuart, S. (2015). Efficacy of yoga for depressed postpartum women: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 21(2), 94–100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.03.003
Cohen, L.S., Wang, B., Nonacs, R., Viguera, A.C., Lemon, E.L., & Freeman, M.P. (2010). Treatment of mood disorders during pregnancy and postpartum. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 33, 273–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2010.02.001
D’Alessio, L., Korman, G.P., Sarudiansky, M., Guelman, L.R., Scevola, L., Pastore, A., et al. (2020). Reducing allostatic load in depression and anxiety disorders: Physical activity and yoga practice as add-on therapies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 501. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00501
Davis, C.P. (2021). Medical definition of postpartum. MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/medterms-medical-dictionary/article.htm
Eustis, E.H., Ernst, S., Sutton, K., & Battle, C.L. (2019). Innovations in the treatment of perinatal depression: The role of yoga and physical activity interventions during pregnancy and postpartum. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(12), 133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1121-1
Higgins, J.P., Thomas, J., Chandler, J., Cumpston, M., Li, T., Page, M. J., & Welch, V. A. (2019). Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119536604
International Association of Yoga Therapists. (2020). All rights reserved. https://www.iayt.org/
Kamat, D.N.H. (2019). To study the effect of yoga on postpartum stress and depression. National Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Medical Sciences, 2(3), 108–116.
Kmet, L.M., Cook, L.S., & Lee, R.C. (2004). Standard quality assessment criteria for evaluating primary research papers from a variety of fields.
Lin, K.Y., Hu, Y.T., Chang, K.J., Lin, H.F., & Tsauo, J.Y. (2011). Effects of yoga on psychological health, quality of life, and physical health of patients with cancer: A meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1–12.
Medical Dialogues. (n.d.). 22% of new mothers in India suffer from postpartum depression: WHO. https://bit.ly/4g9No3Y
Mehrabizadeh Honarmand, M.J.F., & Sheiykh-Hossein, A. (2013). The effect of yoga therapy on psychological well-being and happiness in male employees nearing retirement in a big company in Ahvaz. New Findings in Psychology, 8(26), 3–38.
Norhayati, M.N., Nik Hazlina, N.H., Asrenee, A.R., & Wan Emilin, W.M.A. (2015). Magnitude and risk factors for postpartum symptoms: A literature review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 175, 34–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.12.041
O’Hara, M.W., & McCabe, J.E. (2013). Postpartum depression: Current status and future directions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 9, 379–407. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050212-185612
Patel, M., Bailey, R.K., Jabeen, S., Ali, S., Barker, N.C., & Osiezagha, K. (2012). Postpartum depression: A review. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 23(2), 534–542.
Satyapriya, M., Nagarathna, R., Padmalatha, V., & Nagendra, H.R. (2013). Effect of integrated yoga on anxiety, depression, and well-being in normal pregnancy. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 19(4), 230–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2013.06.003
Sengupta, P. (2012). Health impacts of yoga and pranayama: A state-of-the-art review. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 3(4), 444–450.
Shapiro, D., Cook, I.A., Davydov, D.M., Ottaviani, C., Leuchter, A.F., & Abrams, M. (2007). Yoga as a complementary treatment of depression: Effects of traits and moods on treatment outcome. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 4(4), 493–502. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nel114
Sheffield, K.M., & Woods-Giscombé, C.L. (2016). Efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of perinatal yoga on women's mental health and well-being: A systematic literature review. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 34(1), 64–79. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010115577976
Skalkidou, A., Hellgren, C., Comasco, E., Sylvén, S., & Sundström Poromaa, I. (2012). Biological aspects of postpartum depression. Women's Health (Lond), 8(6), 659–672. https://doi.org/10.2217/whe.12.55
Streeter, C.C., Gerbarg, P.L., Brown, R.P., Scott, T.M., Nielsen, G.H., Owen, L., et al. (2020). Thalamic gamma-aminobutyric acid level changes in major depressive disorder after a 12-week Iyengar yoga and coherent breathing intervention. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(3), 190–197. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0234
Timlin, D. (2017). A preliminary randomized control trial of the effects of Dru yoga on psychological well-being in Northern Irish first-time mothers. Midwifery, 46, 29–36.
Uebelacker, L.A., Tremont, G., Epstein-Lubow, G., Gaudiano, B.A., Gillette, T., & Zornitsa, K. (2010). Open trial of vinyasa yoga for persistently depressed individuals: Evidence of feasibility and acceptability. Behavior Modification, 34, 247–264. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445510368845
Vieten, C., & Astin, J. (2008). Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention during pregnancy on prenatal stress and mood: Results of a pilot study. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 11(1), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-008-0214-3
Wankhede, S., Udhan, V., & Shinde, P. (2020). Assessment of long-term yoga therapy as a complementary therapeutic measure for anxiety, depression, and psychological distress in healthy individuals. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy, and Pharmacology, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2020.10.1136622112019
Woolery, A., Myers, H., Sternlieb, B., & Zeltzer, L. (2004). A yoga intervention for young adults with elevated symptoms of depression. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 10(2), 60–63.
Zuehlke, J. B. (2008). Traditional and non-traditional techniques for women with postpartum depression: An integrative group treatment manual. University of Hartford.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Vinu W, Dilshith A. Kabeer
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.