THE EFFECT OF INTEGRATED YOGA MODULE ON QUALITY OF LIFE IN SECOND TRIMESTER IN ANTENATAL COHORT 0 0

Abstract

Introduction Pregnancy is a unique phase in the life of a woman. While it is an exciting time, filled with expectations and hopes for a new future; it is also fraught with dramatic changes at a physical, mental, emotional and hormonal level. The duration of nine months is divided into three trimesters wherein distinct changes are observed in the physical body as itprepares for labour and delivery. At a mental level, mood swings, anxiety, depression may manifest. The quality of life of the pregnant woman is crucial to a positive delivery outcomeas the level of satisfaction, happiness, physical well-being and selfcare directly affect the foetus in vitro.

Objective:To investigate the effect of integrated yoga protocol module on dimensions of quality-of-life satisfaction pertaining to happiness, physical wellbeing and selfcare amongpregnant women in their second trimester. Methodology: The study was a randomized pre and post, experimental and control study with assessment at the beginning and end of a three-month period conducted at the obstetricsand gynaecology department of GMERS Sola hospital with 180 participants.

Results: Data was analysed using SPSS. It resulted in p-value being below the significancelevel (0.01). In intergroup, independent sample t test was applied. Here, dimension of life satisfaction, the overall mean of experiment group was found to be higher at 12.88 as compared to 11.82 of the control group. Also the calculated t-value of 6.875 at df=178 was found to be significantly larger than the critical t-value. Similar results were observed with happiness and physicalwellbeing and selfcare. With intragroup paired sample t tests, the calculated t- value of 9.13 and a significance level of 0.01 (α = 0.01) with 89 degrees of freedom, indicated a statistically significant difference between the paired samples. Findings were similar in levels of happiness and physical wellbeing and selfcare strongly suggesting a statistically significant positive result after yoga intervention.

Discussion:The results of this investigation were consistent with the findings of other studies conducted in this field. Factors supporting the efficacy of antenatal protocol, it’s mechanism and scientific rationale could be regulation of HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal) axis, reduction of fluctuation in hormonal levels and balance in the autonomic nervous system. The activation of parasympathetic nervous system due to practices such as Om chanting yoga nidra and meditation in addition to asanas and pranayama appropriate during pregnancy is also a distinct possibility.

Conclusion:It was concluded that integrated yoga module significantly improved the quality of life in pregnant woman.Integrated yoga module could be efficacious in ameliorating quality of life and helpful as a viable intervention along with standard medical care during pregnancy.

Research Implications: The results of this study demonstrate that an integrated yoga module developed for the antenatal cohort, administered under expert guidance could be a vital component in antenatal care. In conjunction with standard medical treatment and supervision, antenatal yoga intervention module may be viable as an efficacious holistic, non- pharmacological intervention in the enhancement of quality of life. The result of this study may serve as a template for use and a base for further work in this area.