An exercise and education program improves well-being of new mothers: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical therapy exercise and health care education program on the psychological well-being of new mothers.


METHODS
This was a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Primiparous and multiparous English-speaking women ready for discharge from The Angliss Hospital postnatal ward were eligible for this study. Women who were receiving psychiatric care were excluded. One hundred sixty-one women were randomized into the trial.


METHODS
The experimental group (n=62) received an 8-week "Mother and Baby" (M&B) program, including specialized exercise provided by a women's health physical therapist combined with parenting education. The other group (education only [EO], n=73) received only the same educational material as the experimental group.


METHODS
Psychological well-being (Positive Affect Balance Scale), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and physical activity levels were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks (post-program), and then 4 weeks later.


RESULTS
There was significant improvement in well-being scores and depressive symptoms of the M&B group compared with the EO group over the study period. More specifically, there was a significant positive effect on well-being scores and depressive symptoms at 8 weeks, and this effect was maintained 4 weeks after completion of the program. The number of women identified as "at risk" for postnatal depression pre-intervention was reduced by 50% by the end of the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Although this study provides promising short-term (4-week) outcomes, further work is needed to explore whether the intervention effects are maintained as sustained psychological and behavioral benefits at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A physical therapy exercise and health education program is effective in improving postnatal well-being. Routine use of this program may reduce longer-term problems such as postnatal depression.
Norman
Emily
E
Allied Health Clinical Research, Eastern Health, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia.
Sherburn
Margaret
M
Osborne
Richard H
RH
Galea
Mary P
MP
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting; D010348:Patient Care Team; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales