The effect of mother-baby yoga on mother's depression-anxiety-stress levels, perception of fragile baby, and maternal bonding: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Purpose: The study was conducted to examine the effects of mother–baby yoga applied to infants discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their mothers on mothers' depression, anxiety, stress levels, perceptions of fragile infants, and mother–infant attachment. Design and methods: This study was conducted as an interventional randomized controlled trial, with a mother–baby yoga group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Mothers and infants were assigned to groups using the block randomization method. Results: After ten sessions, mothers in the yoga group had significantly lower scores on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and the Fragile Infant Perception Scale (p < .05), and higher scores on the Maternal Attachment Scale (p < .05), compared to the control group. Conclusion: Mother–baby yoga effectively reduces maternal depression, anxiety, and stress levels, lowers perceptions of infant fragility, and improves maternal attachment in mothers of preterm infants. Implications for Practice: Pediatric nurses should consider mother–baby yoga as a supportive practice in the post-discharge care of preterm infants to promote maternal mental well-being and strengthen early bonding Clinical trial registration number: Clinical Research Information Service, NCT06202937. © 2025