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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2629-0956
Original Article

Yoga in the NICU for parents (YIN): A pilot study on reducing stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Sara Neches 
1   Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12353)
2   Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN7274)
,
Alanna Feltner
3   School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN7284)
,
Mihai Puia-Dumitrescu
2   Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN7274)
,
Krystle Perez
4   University of Washington, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN7284)
,
Leanne Matullo
5   International Association of Yoga Therapists, Reva, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN663145)
,
Dennis Mayock
6   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington - Seattle Campus, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN7284)
,
Sandra E. Juul
7   Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, United States (Ringgold ID: RIN12353)
› Author Affiliations Clinical Trial: Registration number (trial ID): NCT05322161, Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/), Type of Study: Randomized Clinical Pilot Study
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Objective: To explore the effect of a 6-week online program of yogic breathing, meditation, and gentle postures for parents of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study Design: From Oct 2021 to Oct 2023, we conducted a two-center pilot study of yoga for NICU parents. We assigned consented parents of NICU inpatients to receive yoga classes (YG) and/or usual care for parent support (UC) within 14 days of admission to the NICU. Self-directed yoga sessions were completed using an online platform. Usual care included parental support as practiced in each NICU and served as a control group. Primary outcomes were assessed at study entrance, midpoint and conclusion using the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU) and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) in English and Spanish. Results: N=51 parents (71%) mothers were allocated using parallel assignment to UC (N=28, 55%) or YG (N=23, 45%). A total of N=39(76%) parents completed the classes to the midpoint of the study and N=33(65%) completed all 6-weeks of the study. There were no differences in baseline characteristics for parents or infants between groups. Average participation in the online yoga materials was 3hrs 45min per parent. A significant decrease in NICU related parent stress emerged for all PSS: NICU subscales and total PSS: NICU score for parents assigned to YG between enrollment and the midpoint of the study. Neither parents in UC nor YG approached thresholds indicating disorders of the parent-infant relationship as assessed by the postpartum bonding questionnaire. Conclusion: When initiated early, an online, asynchronous yoga intervention designed for parents may reduce NICU parent stress.



Publication History

Received: 17 April 2025

Accepted after revision: 05 June 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
06 June 2025

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