Effects of a home-based exercise intervention on fatigue in postpartum depressed women: results of a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Fatigue is prevalent during the postpartum period and may be heightened in postpartum depressed women.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a home-based exercise intervention in reducing physical and mental fatigue scores in postpartum depressed women.


METHODS
Eighty-eight women in the postpartum (4-38 weeks) obtaining a score > or =10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were randomly assigned to a 12-week individualized home-based intervention (n = 46) or a control group (n = 42). All participants completed a cardiovascular fitness test at baseline. Outcomes were physical and mental fatigue scores and were measured at baseline, posttreatment and 3 months posttreatment.


RESULTS
On the basis of intent-to-treat analyses, compared to the control group, women in the exercise group showed significantly greater reduction in physical fatigue at posttreatment [mean change = -4.07, (95% CI, (-5.15, -2.98)] and 3 months posttreatment [mean change = -4.24, (95% CI, (-5.36, -3.12)]. Significant reductions in mental fatigue with exercise were observed at posttreatment for women reporting lower physical fatigue at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue is a common symptom experienced in the postpartum that can be heightened by depression. The findings show that home-based exercise can reduce physical and mental fatigue in postpartum depressed women.
Dritsa
Maria
M
Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada. mdritsa@epimgh.mcgill.ca
Da Costa
Deborah
D
Dupuis
Gilles
G
Lowensteyn
Ilka
I
Khalifé
Samir
S
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011792:Quebec; D016896:Treatment Outcome