Yoga as a non-pharmacological approach: Evaluating its impact on postpartum depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health challenge among women in the postpartum period, with widespread adverse effects on maternal and newborn health. Given the limitations and safety concerns associated with pharmacological treatments during this critical period, there has been growing interest in investigating non-pharmacological interventions, such as yoga, as adjunctive treatment options. This purposeful review was conducted to assess the available evidence on the effectiveness of yoga on symptoms of postpartum depression. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published between ۲۰۰۸ and ۲۰۲۵ was conducted, leading to the identification of ۴۳ relevant articles. Of these, ۱۳ randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected for in-depth analysis. Findings suggest that yoga interventions are associated with significant reductions in postpartum depression symptoms, along with improvements in emotional regulation, stress reduction, and overall quality of life in affected mothers. These benefits have been observed in different populations and with different intervention durations. Despite heterogeneity in study designs and intervention protocols, the accumulated evidence supports the role of yoga as a promising, non-pharmacological adjunct in the management of postpartum depression. This review emphasizes the importance of developing comprehensive, safe, and accessible intervention strategies to support maternal mental health. Future research should focus on optimizing intervention parameters and elucidating the underlying mechanisms through which yoga exerts its beneficial effects.

کلیدواژه ها:

postpartum depression ، yoga ، pregnancy