Using prenatal yoga to help prevent postpartum depression

Prenatal Yoga to Prevent Postpartum Depression (PRY-D)

NIH-funded research Henry Ford Health System · NIH-10723544

This study is testing a virtual prenatal yoga program to see if it can help prevent postpartum depression in women at higher risk, especially those from diverse backgrounds, by promoting mindfulness and physical activity.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHenry Ford Health System NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Detroit, United States)
Project IDNIH-10723544 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of a virtual prenatal yoga program aimed at preventing postpartum depression (PPD) in women who are at higher risk, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. The program focuses on mindfulness and physical activity, which may be more acceptable and beneficial for these women. The study will first assess the challenges and supports for implementing this intervention among patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems, followed by an open trial to evaluate its effectiveness. By engaging a diverse health care system, the research aims to ensure that the findings are applicable to a broad population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women with a history of depression or those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds who are at risk for postpartum depression.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those who do not have a history of depression may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, accessible method for reducing the incidence of postpartum depression among at-risk women.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that yoga interventions during pregnancy can be effective in reducing symptoms of depression, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Detroit, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Mental disordersMental health disordersPsychiatric DiseasePsychiatric Disorderpsychological disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.