Yoga therapy intervention to improve maternal and newborn physiological outcomes in pregnant women: A study protocol

Pregnancy is a unique period in a woman’s life, accompanied by physical and psychological changes that may contribute to maternal stress and affect pregnancy outcomes. Yoga therapy may offer a complementary approach to reducing stress and improving maternal physiological well-being. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of yoga therapy in improving maternal and newborn physiological outcomes among pregnant women. A randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Udupi District, Karnataka, India, involving 132 pregnant women enrolled between 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. Participants will be randomly allocated to an intervention group receiving comprehensive yoga therapy alongside standard antenatal care or a control group receiving standard antenatal care. The intervention will continue from enrolment until delivery. Perceived stress and sleep quality will be assessed using a standardised stress scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. Selected maternal physiological parameters and pregnancy outcomes will also be evaluated. Assessments will be conducted according to the study protocol, including at 33–35 weeks of gestation. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the potential role of yoga therapy in reducing maternal stress and improving maternal and newborn outcomes. The study may contribute to the development of evidence-based complementary approaches to antenatal care.