The effects of an exercise program on health-related quality of life in postpartum mothers: A randomized controlled trial

Erika Ota,Mie Shiraishi,Seonae Yeo,Masayo Matsuzaki,Mikako Yoshida,Ryoko Murayama,Megumi Haruna,Etsuko Watanabe

doi:10.4236/health.2013.53058

Abstract

Background and Objective: There is controversy on the psychological effects of postpartum exer- cise. The study aimed to evaluate the effective- ness of a postpartum exercise program on health- related quality of life and psychological well- being. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Tokyo, Japan. The intervention groups participated in ball-exercise classes (week- ly exercise of 90 minutes for four weeks) at three months postpartum. The exercise class included the following: 1) greeting and warm-up; 2) aero- bic exercise involving bouncing on an exercise ball 55 or 65 cm in diameter; 3) rest and self- introduction; 4) stretching and cooling down. The primary outcome measure was health-relat- ed Quality of Life (QOL) assessed using the MOS Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36v2). The secondary outcome measures were Rosen- berg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores. The intervention group was compared to the control group at four months postpartum. Results: Of the 120 women screened, 110 women met the study criteria. Nine could not be included and the remaining 101 were allocated randomly into intervention and control groups (50 and 51 par- ticipants respectively). Analysis of covariance adjusting for baseline values indicated that the SF36 subscales of physical functioning (p = 0.018) and vitality (p = 0.016) significantly im- proved in the intervention group compared to the control group, although there were no signi- ficant differences between the groups in the SF36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. The RSES increased in the intervention group (p = 0.020) compared to the control group. No signi- ficant group differences were observed in EPDS scores. Conclusions: The postpartum exercise class program provided to healthy postpartum women appears to have contributed to promo- ting health-related QOL and self-esteem.

Highlights

A small number of women experience a major depressive episode during the first three months postpartum; most of these episodes have onset following delivery
48 women were followed through four months postpartum among 50 participants who were allocated to intervention group
This study demonstrated the effect of an exercise program on health-related Quality of Life (QOL) and self-esteem in women at three months postpartum

Summary

Introduction

A small number of women experience a major depressive episode during the first three months postpartum; most of these episodes have onset following delivery. A recent review found 7.1% of women experience major depression; including minor depressive episodes, the 3month period prevalence rate in this review was 19.2% [1]. In a Japanese study, the prevalence of major depression was 4.3% and the prevalence of mental disorder including minor depressive episode was 10.6% within three months postpartum [2]. Many of those who are not diagnosed with depression complain of mild mood disorder or feelings of anxiety. A previous study suggested that mothers’ feelings of loneliness related to positive scores (nine points and above) on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at three months postpartum [4].

Methods

Results

Conclusion