Effect of Exercise on Postpartum Depression and Fatigue in Clients of Health Centers and Bases of Tabriz, 2010.

Abstract

Abstract: Background & Objectives: Women's mental health can be compromised by childbirth and some women experience psychiatric illness likes depression and fatigue during postpartum period. Since many women do not seek treatment of postpartum depression, it is important to focus on the prevention of depression. Furthermore, previous studies related to postpartum have focused on depression and fatigue in this period is neglected. Exercise is one of new interventions for the reduction of postpartum depression and fatigue and no study related to exercise effectiveness has previously been conducted in Iran. So, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of exercise on postnatal depression and fatigues among pregnant women attended at the health centers, Tabriz. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 179 pregnant clients with 26-32 weeks pregnancy who has inclusion criteria were studied. Current depressive and fatigue condition were assessed using the Edinburg postnatal depression scale and fatigue identification from respectively. Women with Edinburg scores lower than 15 were included in the study. The women randomly were allocated in one of three groups. A: control group, B: group receiving training for exercise during pregnancy (intervention 1) and, C: group receiving training for exercise during pregnancy and postpartum period (intervention 2). Depression and fatigue scores were measured one and two months after delivery. The data were analyzed with SPSS13 using chi square, fisher exact and Kruskall Wallis tests. Results: The demographic data collected from the three groups were similar. Mean change of depression and fatigue scorers did not differ significantly between the three groups, one and two months after delivery (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results indicated that the exercise dose not lead to significant difference in depression and fatigue scores between the control, intervention 1 and intervention 2 groups. Considering very limited studies about effect of exercise on postpartum depression and fatigue, more studies are needed for final judgment.