To Compare the Effects of Guided Imagery and Yoga on Insomnia and Quality of Life in Primigravida Women

Aim: Insomnia is more common as the pregnancy progresses. Since pharmacological treatment for insomnia in pregnancy can cause adverse effects on maternal and fetal outcomes, non-pharmacological treatment is more preferable. Patients with insomnia can have adverse birth outcomes as well as pregnancy and labor related complications. Therefore, the study aimed at comparing the effects of guided imagery and yoga on insomnia and quality of life in primigravida women.

Materials and Methods: 40 subjects were selected for the study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were allocated randomly into 2 groups i.e., Guided Imagery(n=20) and Yoga(n=20) group by purposive sampling. The treatment was given for 4 weeks (2 sessions per week). The level of insomnia was measured using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and quality of life was measured using Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) pre and post intervention. For data analysis paired and unpaired t test was performed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results: The pre and post intervention values of ISI, PCS and MCS showed statistical significant difference within the guided imagery and yoga groups (p<0.05). On comparison between the groups there was statistical significant difference in the values of ISI (p<0.05) whereas there was no statistical significant difference on PCS and MCS values (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It was seen that Yoga was more effective in improving the quality of sleep whereas Yoga and Guided Imagery both were equally effective in improving the quality of life in primigravida women.

Clinical Significance: Guided Imagery and Yoga can be used in clinical practice for rehabilitation of pregnant women with insomnia and also to improve the overall physical and mental health.