Table 2 Summary of findings

Outcomes

Relative effect

(95% CI)

No of Participants

(studies)

Quality of the evidence

(GRADE)

Comments

Assumed risk

Corresponding risk

Treatment as usual or any other active treatment

Yoga

Anxiety

STAI, HADS-A, Hamilton

Follow-up: 2-18 weeks

The mean anxiety in the intervention groups was

0.91 standard deviations lower

(1.49 to 0.33 lower)

733

(11 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

low ^1,2,3,4,5

SMD -0.84 (-1.64 to -0.03)

Depression

CES-D, HADS-D, Hamilton, EPDS

Follow-up: 2-18 weeks

The mean depression in the intervention groups was

0.47 standard deviations lower

(0.90 to 0.04 lower)

679

(12 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

low ^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

SMD -0.53 (-1.04 to -0.02)

Perceived stress

PSS-10; Pregnancy experiences questionnaire (PEQ)

Follow-up: 12-24 weeks

The mean perceived stress in the intervention groups was

1.03 standard deviations lower

(1.55 to 0.52 lower)

423

(5 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

low ^1,2,5

Physiological stress

Salivary cortisol

Follow-up: 4-20 weeks

The mean physiological stress in the intervention groups was

0.69 standard deviations lower

(1.50 lower to 0.13 higher)

279

(4 studies)

⊕⊝⊝⊝

very low ^{1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9}

Total duration of labour

medical records

Follow-up: 10-24 weeks

The mean total duration of labour in the intervention groups was

117.75 lower

(153.80 to 81.71 lower)

472

(6 studies)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

low ^1,2,3,8

Normal vaginal birth

medical records

Follow-up: 10-28 weeks

OR 2.58

(1.46 to 4.56)

1195

(12 studies)

⊕⊝⊝⊝

very low ^1,2,3,5,6,10

51 per 100

73 per 100

(61 to 83)

49 per 100

72 per 100

(59 to 82)

Quality of life

WHOQoL100

Follow-up: mean 16 weeks

The mean quality of life in the intervention groups was

1.73 higher

(0.79 to 2.67 higher)

102

(1 study)

⊕⊕⊝⊝

low ^1,2,8