Article

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. DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial.
PARTICIPANTS: 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. INTERVENTION:
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. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
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. LIMITATIONS: 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.

Langue : ANGLAIS