MedPath

Exercise in Pregnancy and Risk of Postpartum Depression

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Depression
Pregnancy Related
Interventions
Behavioral: exercise in pregnancy
Registration Number
NCT06355375
Lead Sponsor
Federico II University
Brief Summary

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) varies between 11.9% and 19.2% during the perinatal period. PPD refers to minor and major depression incidents that occur during pregnancy or shortly after (up until 12 months after birth). The symptoms of PPD embrace feeling sad or having a depressed mood, being uninterested in the new-born, unreasonable crying and fear of injuring or harming the baby. Consequently, PPD can negatively impact the mother's well-being and the baby's development. The impact on a child can be short for cognitive and motor development . Although medication is a feasible alternative, many women have constraints due to continuing breastfeeding. Therefore, exercise can be an alternative that could help to deal with PPD. Exercise can be used as a preventive or treatment of mild depression at an early stage and as an addition to a treatment plan for major depressive disorder. Exercising during pregnancy and postpartum improves psychological health and also benefits physical fitness, weight gain control and the prevention or reduction of musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. Therefore, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists has recommended that women during pregnancy and postpartum engage in moderate-intensity physical activity almost every day for 30 min a day

Detailed Description

The prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) varies between 11.9% and 19.2% during the perinatal period. PPD refers to minor and major depression incidents that occur during pregnancy or shortly after (up until 12 months after birth). The symptoms of PPD embrace feeling sad or having a depressed mood, being uninterested in the new-born, unreasonable crying and fear of injuring or harming the baby. Consequently, PPD can negatively impact the mother's well-being and the baby's development. The impact on a child can be short for cognitive and motor development . Although medication is a feasible alternative, many women have constraints due to continuing breastfeeding. Therefore, exercise can be an alternative that could help to deal with PPD. Exercise can be used as a preventive or treatment of mild depression at an early stage and as an addition to a treatment plan for major depressive disorder. Exercising during pregnancy and postpartum improves psychological health and also benefits physical fitness, weight gain control and the prevention or reduction of musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. Therefore, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists has recommended that women during pregnancy and postpartum engage in moderate-intensity physical activity almost every day for 30 min a day

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
398
Inclusion Criteria
  • singleton gestation
  • low risk pregnancy
  • age between 20 and 40
Exclusion Criteria
  • high risk pregnancy
  • multiple gestation
  • prior post partum depression
  • any psychiatric disase
  • controindication for exercise
  • lung or heart disease
  • prior preterm birth
  • IVF pregnancy
  • women who already perform agonistic sport activity

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
exerciseexercise in pregnancyaerobic exercise during pregnancy
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
edinburgh depression scale3 months after delivery

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postpartum depression3 months after delivery

DSM-5 (SCID-5)

preterm birth37 weeks of gestation

defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gabriele Saccone

🇮🇹

Naples, Italy

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath