Prenatal Yoga App for Pregnancy
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Female
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: San Diego State University
Disqualifiers: High-risk pregnancy, Severe psychiatric disorder, others
No Placebo Group
Approved in 2 Jurisdictions
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?The goal of this research is to test if a prenatal yoga app can improve well-being in African American/Black (AA) pregnant women. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Is the Down Dog prenatal yoga app feasible for AA pregnant women?
2. How does mental and physical health change after using the Down Dog app for 12-weeks?
3. What cultural adaptations to the Down Dog app are needed?
The study lasts for 12 weeks and participants are asked to:
* do prenatal yoga with the app for at least 20 min/day, three days/week, from home
* wear a Garmin Vivosmart 5 watch daily
* complete four online surveys
* complete an optional virtual interview
This project aims to advance public health by contributing to a broader understanding of how prenatal yoga can support the health and well-being of AA pregnant women and promote optimal maternal and child health outcomes.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App for pregnancy?
Research shows that prenatal yoga can improve quality of life, reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and help with pain management during labor. These benefits suggest that using a prenatal yoga app like Down Dog could be effective for pregnant women.
123Is prenatal yoga safe for pregnant women?
Research suggests that prenatal yoga is generally safe for pregnant women, including those with high-risk pregnancies. Studies have shown no harmful effects on fetal or maternal heart rates during typical prenatal yoga sessions, and it is recommended for low-risk pregnancies.
12345How is the Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App treatment different from other pregnancy yoga treatments?
The Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App offers a unique approach by providing a digital, app-based platform for prenatal yoga, allowing pregnant women to practice yoga conveniently at home, which may not be available with traditional in-person classes. This app-based format can offer personalized yoga sessions tailored to individual needs and schedules, making it more accessible and flexible compared to standard pregnancy yoga classes.
12678Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for African American pregnant women who are interested in using a prenatal yoga app to potentially improve their well-being. Participants should be willing to practice yoga at home for at least 20 minutes per day, three times a week, wear a fitness watch daily, and complete online surveys.Inclusion Criteria
Are 18-46 years of age (childbearing age)
Reside in San Diego Metropolitan Area
Speak English
+7 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
1 week
1 virtual visit
Baseline
Participants resume normal activities for one week and complete a baseline survey
1 week
1 in-person visit
Treatment
Participants engage in prenatal yoga using the mobile app for at least 20 min/day, 3 days/week for 12 weeks
12 weeks
4 online surveys, optional virtual interview
Follow-up
Participants complete a birth outcomes survey within 1-2 weeks after delivery
2 weeks
1 online survey
Participant Groups
The study is testing the feasibility of the Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App over a period of 12 weeks. It will evaluate how this app affects mental and physical health in participants and what cultural adjustments might be necessary for optimal use by African American pregnant women.
1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Down Dog Prenatal Yoga AppExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Prenatal yoga via Down Dog Prenatal Yoga Mobile App 20 minutes a day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks.
Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:
馃嚭馃嚫 Approved in United States as Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App for:
- Prenatal wellness
- Maternal health support
馃嚜馃嚭 Approved in European Union as Down Dog Prenatal Yoga App for:
- Prenatal wellness
- Maternal health support
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA
Loading ...
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
San Diego State UniversityLead Sponsor
References
The characteristics and effectiveness of pregnancy yoga interventions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]Yoga is a popular mind-body medicine frequently recommended to pregnant women. Gaps remain in our understanding of the core components of effective pregnancy yoga programmes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the characteristics and effectiveness of pregnancy yoga interventions, incorporating the FITT (frequency, intensity, time/duration and type) principle of exercise prescription.
The effectiveness and characteristics of pregnancy yoga interventions: a systematic review protocol. [2020]Background: The purpose of the proposed review is to systematically examine the clinical effectiveness of pregnancy yoga.  The review will use the FITT (frequency, intensity, time/duration and type) principle of physical activity to characterise the different types of yoga interventions that have been evaluated in the included studies.   Methods/design: The following electronic databases will be searched using a detailed search strategy: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, WHOLiS, AMED, ScieLo, ASSIA and Web of Science. Randomised control trials and quasi-experimental studies examining pregnancy yoga will be included. Titles, abstracts and full articles will be screened by two investigators independently to identify eligible studies.  The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment tool will be used to assess study quality.  Quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE criteria. A standardised data extraction form will be used to extract data. Effect sizes will be estimated using mean differences for continuous outcomes, and relative risks for dichotomous outcome. Where possible, pooling of effect estimates will be done using a random effect model. Discussion: This review will synthesise the best available evidence on the effectiveness of yoga during pregnancy and provide valuable high-quality information for clinicians and health policymakers. Findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at relevant conference proceedings. The review will make recommendations for the appropriate volume, intensity and type of pregnancy yoga for maximum effect and may have implications for policy and practice relating to pregnancy yoga as an intervention.   Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42019119916.  Registered on 11th January 2019.
Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Prenatal Yoga Among Women with High-Risk Pregnancies. [2020]This study sought to evaluate attitudes and knowledge about prenatal yoga and to investigate barriers and facilitators to yoga participation in high-risk pregnant women receiving prenatal care in an academic tertiary care center. We surveyed a convenience sample of women receiving prenatal care through the Maternal-Fetal Medicine practice at Brigham and Women's Hospital. We classified participants as yoga-experienced or yoga-naive depending on self-report. We compared differences between the two groups using the appropriate nonparametric tests and compared bivariate odds ratios for survey results using logistic regression. Of the 100 respondents, 53% had practiced yoga previously. Women with yoga experience were older (age 34.9 卤 5.6 vs. 31.0 卤 6.0 years, p = 0.004), more likely to be college graduates (94% vs. 68%, p = 0.002), and more likely to be White (77% vs. 47%, p = 0.002) than women without previous yoga experience. Previous yoga experience was associated with participant agreement that yoga was safe during their current pregnancy (odds ratio 5.9, 95% confidence interval 1.9-17.7). Of the women surveyed, 56% agreed that they would like to attend a prenatal yoga class. In a multivariate model including age, race, and education, previous yoga experience was the only significant predictor associated with willingness to participate in prenatal yoga classes during current pregnancy (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1-8.6). Prior yoga experience was the strongest predictor of willingness to attend a prenatal yoga class in our population. Our results suggest that women with high-risk pregnancies who may benefit from prenatal yoga interventions but lack prior yoga experience may need additional education to facilitate participation.
Fetal and maternal responses to yoga in the third trimester. [2021]Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to examine maternal and fetal responses to a typical, moderate-intensity yoga session in healthy pregnant women during the third trimester using continuous monitoring.Methods: This prospective observational study in low-risk, pregnant women used the Monica AN24 Abdominal ECG wireless maternal-fetal monitor to measure fetal heart rate, maternal heart rate, and uterine activity during a prenatal yoga session. Sessions included 4 time periods: (1) 20-minute rest, (2) 50 minutes standard prenatal yoga, (3) 10-minute meditation, (4) 20-minute recovery. Data were continuously recorded throughout the entire session, stored at 0.25-second intervals, and then averaged over 5-minute intervals. To evaluate changes over time, overall means for the four time periods (rest, yoga, meditation, recovery) were compared using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons (Tukey's) were used to probe significant differences between the four time points. Statistical significance was reached at p < .05.Results: Twenty participants were enrolled; 19 completed the yoga session. Mean gestational age was 35 weeks and 6 days (range of 32-0/7 to 38-6/7) with an average participant age of 32 ± 2.7 years. Maternal heart rates significantly increased during the yoga period (102 ± 11 bpm) compared to rest (90 ± 10), meditation (85 ± 12), and recovery (88 ± 10) (p < .01). The maximum maternal heart rate reached during the yoga session was 125 ± 13 bpm. While fetal heart rates fluctuated slightly over the course of the yoga session, there were no significant fetal heart rate decelerations to suggest deleterious fetal effects. There were no statistically significant differences among resting (138 ± 14 bpm), yoga (137 ± 11 bpm), meditation (139 ± 7 bpm), or recovery (135 ± 22 bpm) fetal heart rates (p = .814). Uterine activity was significantly greater during the yoga period compared with the other time points (p < .001).Conclusion: Yoga can be recommended for low-risk women during pregnancy as no adverse fetal or maternal heart rate changes were observed during a typical prenatal yoga session.
Yoga in Pregnancy. [2022]Yoga is a mind-body practice that encompasses a system of postures (asana), deep breathing (pranayama), and meditation. Over 36 million Americans practice yoga of which the majority are reproductive-aged women. Literature to support this practice is limited, albeit on the rise. A prenatal yoga practice has been shown to benefit women who suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, low back pain, and sleep disturbances. A small number of studies have been performed in high-risk pregnancies that also demonstrate an improvement in outcomes. The safety of performing yoga for the first time in pregnancy and fetal tolerance has been demonstrated.
Experiences of Pregnant Women Participating in Antenatal Yoga: A Qualitative Study. [2022]Pregnancy yoga is a modified version of yoga for pregnant women, and it aims to reduce pregnancy-related symptoms, such as insomnia, low back pain, tiredness, constipation, leg cramps, and shortness of breath.
The effect of music, massage, yoga and exercise on antenatal depression: A meta-analysis. [2021]Prenatal depression affects 20.7 percent of women worldwide, which was associated with preterm birth, low birth weight and Apgar score, as well as cognitive, emotional and behavioral development disorders. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to retrieve the latest and best evidence about music, massage, yoga and exercise in the prevention and treatment of prenatal depression, and to preliminarily compare the four methods to explore the most effective means. We also compared different types of yoga and music, in order to find the most effective type of intervention.
Prenatal yoga and excessive gestational weight gain: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms. [2022]To review the evidence of the potential mechanisms (behavioral, psychological/emotional, and physical factors) of prenatal yoga for preventing excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) in pregnant women to guide future research.