Ervin Valencia 2-10

Effects of Postpartum Exercise Program on Fatigue and Depression During Doing-the-Month Period

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Reference Ko, Y., & Yang, C. (2008). Effects of postpartum exercise program on fatigue and depression during doing-the-month period. 16(3), 177-185. Retrieved from http://ir.cmu.edu.tw/ir/bitstream/310903500/6890/1/Effects of Postpartum Exercise.pdf

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Rationale of the study The postpartum period is an important part for the woman because she goes many critical transitions, affecting significantly the physical and mental health of the mother after childbirth. Two such major psychological problems that will be addressed are postpartum fatigue and depression because these postpartum psychological problems can interfere with a new mothers ability to care for her infant and may affect her quality of life later on. Background of the study Several researches has pointed that postpartum exercise is beneficial to the patient, including increased lactation, reduced bodyweight, less severe levels of depression, and enhanced mothering abilities and capacity to implement regular physical activity regimens for herself and her child. However, while most postpartum exercise programs focus on relieving depression, relief of fatigue is often neglected. That is why a low-intensity exercise program was specifically designed and administered in Taiwan for 30 patients (30 control group patients) to participate in at least 6 exercise program sessions during their one month postpartum stay.

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Statement of the problem Research found that 44% -95% of postpartum mothers in the United States experience postpartum fatigue. And in Taiwan, postpartum fatigue and depression also represents common problems. While the most common tradition doing-the-month, is for postpartum patients to rest and do minimal activity in order to regain strength in one month, there have been several researches that show benefits of exercise. Thus, this study explored the effectiveness of an exercise program on reducing levels of fatigue and depression

among postpartum women who were doing-the-month in a maternity center in Taiwan. V. Summary of the study The Journal Articles basically talks about the alleviation of postpartum depression and fatigue. And that these two major problems will later on affect the new mothers ability to care for her infant and may affect her quality of life. A low-intensity exercise program was specifically designed and administered to patients to show any effect on postpartum depression and fatigue; incorporating Pilates, Yoga and music. However, no significant changes in depression between the two groups were found. The study results demonstrate that a low-intensity exercise program can offer a good platform for clinicians and researchers to help reduce fatigue in postpartum women. VI. Findings of the study Results showed that women in the intervention group did not reduce their depression significantly. However, as both groups (control and intervention) decreased their level of fatigue in the one month period, the control group improved only in their physical fatigue; not in their emotional fatigue or physical symptoms, while the intervention group improved their physical fatigue as well as their emotional fatigue and physical symptoms. It was also noted that mothers enjoyed a feeling of relatively greater support, better sleep quality, and an abatement of constipation and lower back pain problems. VII. Conclusion Results indicated that levels of fatigue and depression do not differ significantly between the two groups. However, scores for the intervention group improved in terms of psychological fatigue and physical symptoms, as compared with the control group. This low-intensity postpartum exercise program is viable for application in practice. Implications Nursing Practice This study can help us in our assessment for postpartum depression because it shows concrete effects of exercise on depression and fatigue. And as nurses, we can consider applying it to patients who can surely benefit to the low intensity exercise it presents. Education: This journal is very educative as well as informative, so basically, for us students this would be very helpful since it can be used for our future profession. This article would surely help us because there are a lot of factors that contribute to the

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depression of women who underwent pregnancy. And this study can help us better understand the effects of exercise on postpartum depression and fatigue. Research: This topic is very helpful for research, because there can still be better methods to deal with postpartum depression and fatigue. And expanding knowledge at the effects of each, such as exercise, diet, etc. , adds to the possibility of finding a more productive and effective intervention.