Effect of Yoga on Postpartum Depression: A Randomized controlled trial

Purpose: This study was conducted to explore the impact of yoga on postpartum depression. Subjects: Forty primipara women with postpartum depression (PPD). Their ages were extended from 20-35 years old. Their body mass index were less than 30 kg/m². Women scores within the Zung scale extended from 50-69 (moderate depression).. Design: Design of this study was experimental study (two groups pre-test and post-test) Randomized controlled trial. Group A (Control group): It comprised of 20 women and treated by antidepressant drugs as it were for 12 weeks. Group B (Study group): It consisted of 20 women and treated by the same antidepressant drugs as in group A and yoga program. Methods: BMI was surveyed with standard weight-height scale and depression was evaluated with Zung self-rating depression scale before and after treatment for both groups A & B. Results: The results of this study revealed that there was noteworthy diminish within the Self Depression Scale (SDS) of both groups A & B post-treatment differentiate with pre-treatment (P = 0.0001) with rate of diminish 9.53% and 16.68% respectively. Between groups, there was no significant distinction within the SDS between both groups A and B pre-treatment (P = 0.42). Whereas post-treatment; there was noteworthy difference within the SDS between both groups A & B (More diminish in group B) (P = 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that yoga is successful strategy in treatment of postpartum depression. Keywords: Yoga - Postpartum - Depression.