The exercise in the first three months after delivery may reduce the risk of postnatal depression (PND), and increased well-being, a study by the University of Melbourne led to the Angliss Hospital has revealed.
In a world first study, 161 women without symptoms of depression after delivery before were divided into two groups to test the effect of an exercise conducted by a physiotherapist and the welfare of education.
The experimental group received eight weeks, “Mother and Child” program, and specialized exercises women’s health physiotherapist, combined with parental education.
In the second group, “education only” participants received written materials.
Participants in both groups were evaluated for psychological well-being (with positive affect Balance Scale), depressive symptoms (with Postnatal Depression Scale Edinburgh) and physical activity at baseline, after eight weeks to complete the program and four weeks after the final.