Chiu-Ling Yang1, Chung-Hey Chen2. 1. Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, No. 151, Jinxue Road, Daliao Dis., Kaohsiung 83102, Taiwan. Electronic address: NS015@fy.edu.tw. 2. Institute of Allied Health Sciences & Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Road, Tainan 70101, Taiwan. Electronic address: chunghey@mail.ncku.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gymnastics is a preferable safe exercise for postnatal women performing regularly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to determine whether the aerobic gymnastic exercise improves stress, fatigue, sleep quality and depression in postpartum women. DESIGN: Single-blinded, randomized controlled trial held from December 2014 until September 2015. SETTING:Postnatal clinic of a medical center in southern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 140 eligible postnatal women were systematically assigned, with a random start to experimental (n=70) or a control (n=70) group. INTERVENTIONS: Engage in aerobic gymnastic exercise at least three times (15min per section) a week for three months using compact disc in the home. OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived Stress Scale, Postpartum Fatigue Scale, Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. RESULTS: In a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, the aerobic gymnastic exercise group showed significant decrease in fatigue after practicing exercise 4 weeks and the positive effects extended to the 12-week posttests. Paired t-tests revealed that aerobic gymnastic exercise participants had improved significantly in perceived stress and fatigue after 4 weeks gymnastic exercise; these positive effects extended to the 12-week posttests. In addition, the changes in physical symptoms-related sleep inefficiency after 12 weeks gymnastic exercise were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used to encourage postnatal women to perform moderate-intensity gymnastic exercise in their daily life to reduce their stress, fatigue and improve sleep quality.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Gymnastics is a preferable safe exercise for postnatal women performing regularly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to determine whether the aerobic gymnastic exercise improves stress, fatigue, sleep quality and depression in postpartum women. DESIGN: Single-blinded, randomized controlled trial held from December 2014 until September 2015. SETTING: Postnatal clinic of a medical center in southern Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: 140 eligible postnatal women were systematically assigned, with a random start to experimental (n=70) or a control (n=70) group. INTERVENTIONS: Engage in aerobic gymnastic exercise at least three times (15min per section) a week for three months using compact disc in the home. OUTCOME MEASURES: Perceived Stress Scale, Postpartum Fatigue Scale, Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. RESULTS: In a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, the aerobic gymnastic exercise group showed significant decrease in fatigue after practicing exercise 4 weeks and the positive effects extended to the 12-week posttests. Paired t-tests revealed that aerobic gymnastic exercise participants had improved significantly in perceived stress and fatigue after 4 weeks gymnastic exercise; these positive effects extended to the 12-week posttests. In addition, the changes in physical symptoms-related sleep inefficiency after 12 weeks gymnastic exercise were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can be used to encourage postnatal women to perform moderate-intensity gymnastic exercise in their daily life to reduce their stress, fatigue and improve sleep quality.
Authors: Jiqiang Wu; Brett Einerson; Janet M Shaw; Ingrid E Nygaard; Xiaoming Sheng; Ali Wolpern; Marlene J Egger Journal: Sleep Health Date: 2019-09-12
Authors: Marquis Hawkins; Bess Marcus; Penelope Pekow; Milagros C Rosal; Katherine L Tucker; Rebecca M C Spencer; Lisa Chasan-Taber Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2021-08-23
Authors: Alba Maestro-Gonzalez; Marta Sánchez-Zaballos; María Pilar Mosteiro-Díaz; David Zuazua-Rico Journal: Sleep Med Date: 2021-02-02 Impact factor: 4.842