Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study
Abstract Background Prenatal depression is the greatest risk factor for postnatal depression and subsequently, impaired mother-infant attachment. Prenatal yoga may improve both mental and physical health during pregnancy and support mother–fetal attachment. However, its integration into perinatal ca...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01667-9 |
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| author | Carolina Estevao Carola Chiarpenello Winsze Kwok Hemant Bhargav Nishitha Jasti Prabha Chandra Shivarama Varambally Carmine Pariante |
| author_facet | Carolina Estevao Carola Chiarpenello Winsze Kwok Hemant Bhargav Nishitha Jasti Prabha Chandra Shivarama Varambally Carmine Pariante |
| author_sort | Carolina Estevao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Prenatal depression is the greatest risk factor for postnatal depression and subsequently, impaired mother-infant attachment. Prenatal yoga may improve both mental and physical health during pregnancy and support mother–fetal attachment. However, its integration into perinatal care remains limited due to a lack of standardization. This study primarily assessed the feasibility of a prenatal yoga module co-developed by King’s College London and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the first rigorously designed, scientifically backed prenatal yoga module for mental health and mother–fetal attachment. Methods We codeveloped the PRENAYOGA intervention through Preliminary Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and a 3-month collaboration project with NIMHANS. The final yoga module consisted of biweekly 1-h sessions for 8 weeks in South London, with 15 ethnic minority women. Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Feasibility outcomes, including intervention acceptability, appropriateness, and attendance, were assessed using validated measures and focus group data. Clinical exploratory outcomes, such as mental health and maternal–fetal attachment, quality of life, social support, and self-efficacy were also evaluated. Results The findings demonstrated the acceptability and appropriateness of the adapted yoga module among participants and stakeholders. Attendance and attrition rates alongside qualitative analyses highlighted both barriers and enablers to sustained engagement. Participants reported enhanced physical and mental health, flexibility, and relief from physical ailments. Insights into session frequency and duration suggested that two 1-h sessions per week for 8 weeks are a viable model, with 80% attending at least once weekly. Yoga teachers highlighted the community-building aspect and adapted sessions to participants’ unique needs. Preliminary clinical findings suggested improvements in mental health and maternal–fetal attachment, though these require further investigation. Conclusions These preliminary results indicate the potential benefit of rigorously developed prenatal yoga for ethnic minority populations. These findings support the need for larger trials to evaluate the module’s clinical effectiveness and scalability; such research would contribute to evidence-based prenatal care for underrepresented populations. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT05824208. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a2d5347110d04d7c83f4eef858943db9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-a2d5347110d04d7c83f4eef858943db92025-08-20T03:42:19ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842025-07-0111111810.1186/s40814-025-01667-9Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility studyCarolina Estevao0Carola Chiarpenello1Winsze Kwok2Hemant Bhargav3Nishitha Jasti4Prabha Chandra5Shivarama Varambally6Carmine Pariante7Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonIntegrated Centre for Yoga, Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesIntegrated Centre for Yoga, Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesDepartment of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesIntegrated Centre for Yoga, Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, King’s College LondonAbstract Background Prenatal depression is the greatest risk factor for postnatal depression and subsequently, impaired mother-infant attachment. Prenatal yoga may improve both mental and physical health during pregnancy and support mother–fetal attachment. However, its integration into perinatal care remains limited due to a lack of standardization. This study primarily assessed the feasibility of a prenatal yoga module co-developed by King’s College London and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the first rigorously designed, scientifically backed prenatal yoga module for mental health and mother–fetal attachment. Methods We codeveloped the PRENAYOGA intervention through Preliminary Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and a 3-month collaboration project with NIMHANS. The final yoga module consisted of biweekly 1-h sessions for 8 weeks in South London, with 15 ethnic minority women. Data were collected at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Feasibility outcomes, including intervention acceptability, appropriateness, and attendance, were assessed using validated measures and focus group data. Clinical exploratory outcomes, such as mental health and maternal–fetal attachment, quality of life, social support, and self-efficacy were also evaluated. Results The findings demonstrated the acceptability and appropriateness of the adapted yoga module among participants and stakeholders. Attendance and attrition rates alongside qualitative analyses highlighted both barriers and enablers to sustained engagement. Participants reported enhanced physical and mental health, flexibility, and relief from physical ailments. Insights into session frequency and duration suggested that two 1-h sessions per week for 8 weeks are a viable model, with 80% attending at least once weekly. Yoga teachers highlighted the community-building aspect and adapted sessions to participants’ unique needs. Preliminary clinical findings suggested improvements in mental health and maternal–fetal attachment, though these require further investigation. Conclusions These preliminary results indicate the potential benefit of rigorously developed prenatal yoga for ethnic minority populations. These findings support the need for larger trials to evaluate the module’s clinical effectiveness and scalability; such research would contribute to evidence-based prenatal care for underrepresented populations. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: NCT05824208.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01667-9PregnancyYogaEthnic minorityPrenatal depressionPrenatal anxiety |
| spellingShingle | Carolina Estevao Carola Chiarpenello Winsze Kwok Hemant Bhargav Nishitha Jasti Prabha Chandra Shivarama Varambally Carmine Pariante Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study Pilot and Feasibility Studies Pregnancy Yoga Ethnic minority Prenatal depression Prenatal anxiety |
| title | Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study |
| title_full | Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study |
| title_fullStr | Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study |
| title_short | Co-designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women: a feasibility study |
| title_sort | co designing and evaluating a prenatal yoga intervention for ethnic minority women a feasibility study |
| topic | Pregnancy Yoga Ethnic minority Prenatal depression Prenatal anxiety |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01667-9 |
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