The Effectiveness of a Yoga Program on Heart Rate Variability in Postpartum Women
Yoga Postpartum and Heart Rate Variability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v17i1.846Keywords:
Postpartum, Yoga, Physical Activity, Heart Rate Variability, Self-compassionAbstract
Background: Chronic stress in new motherhood may result in dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Yoga has been found to increase heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy adults. Purpose: It is unknown whether yoga is effective at improving HRV in this population. Methods: Thirty women, mean age 31.5 (3.9) years, were randomized into one of three 12-week intervention groups: 1) in-person yoga, 2) online yoga, and 3) control and completed HRV measurements. HRV was recorded daily by participants 3 minutes upon waking as the root mean square of successive R-R intervals for 14 days pre- and post-intervention. Furthermore, participants recorded self-compassion, fatigue, and depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up. Results: HRV decreased in the in-person yoga group (p<0.05) but was not significant when compared to the control group. There were significant improvements in depression in the online yoga group (p<0.05). There were no significant associations between change in HRV and change in self-compassion, fatigue, or depression. Conclusions: Future research should consider a greater frequency of yoga classes to determine if there is a dose-response to HRV. To enhance the engagement of postpartum women in physical activity research, less stringent group assignments should be considered.
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