Effect of yoga on posttraumatic growth and quality of life in first-time mothers: A randomized controlled trial

Aim This study aims to examine the effect of yoga on posttraumatic growth and quality of life in postpartum mothers. Methods The study was conducted as randomized controlled. There were 160 participant mothers, including 80 for the yoga group and 80 for the control group. Mothers in the yoga group participated in individual yoga practices at their homes every weekday for 10 weeks. The personal information form, posttraumatic growth inventory (PTGI), and short form-36 (SF-36) Quality of Life Scale were used to collect data. Results The results showed that total and subscale mean scores of the PTGI were higher in the yoga group than the control group after the intervention. In comparison to the control group, the mean scores of the yoga group were higher in subscales as physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, mental health of the SF-36, after the intervention. Conclusion The yoga increased psychological growth and quality of life in the postpartum period. Health professionals could use yoga to increase the quality of life of mothers and to ensure their psychological growth in health care.