The study investigates the effect of the ‘Mother and Baby’ (M&B) program on the psychological health and well-being of new mothers 6-10 weeks following the birth of their baby. The M&B program is an 8-week program of group exercise and education sessions provided by various health professionals. The design of the study is a comprehensive cohort design, including a randomised controlled trial. The primary outcome measure is the Affect Balance Scale. The hypotheses are:
The M&B program has a positive effect on new mothers’ psychological health and well-being.
The M&B program increases participation in regular physical activity.
the M&B program benefits first time mothers more than women who have had more than one child.
Official Title
Effect of the ‘Mother and Baby’ Program on New Mothers’ Psychological and Physical Well-Being.
Conditions
Postnatal Depression
Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Prevention, Randomized, Single Blind, Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study
Further Details
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Affect Balance Scale
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
- Exercise level
Women who have had their babies at the Angliss Hospital and are ready for discharge will be invited to participate in the study. Potential participants will be asked if they have a preference for the M&B program or Education sessions only, or if they would be willing to be part of an RCT. Those who agree to be part of the RCT will be randomised to M&B or Education only sessions. Allocation will be controlled by the chief investigator and will be concealed, with codes placed in opaque sealed enveloped. Randomisation will be stratified according to parity (first time mothers vs multiparous) and blocked in groups of 16.All participants will receive and complete a questionnaire booklet and will return this in a pre-paid envelope. Questionnaires include:
- The Affect Balance Scale. This is the primary outcome measure. It is a highly reliable scale comprising ten questions indicating psychological reactions (positive and negative) to events in daily life.
- Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. This is a widely used scale for the detection of risk factors for postnatal depression.
- Questions regarding exercise. Three questions regarding exercise will be asked and answers will be compared to tables of the number of metabolic equivalents (METS) required to perform the activity.
- Program evaluation. Participants undertaking the M&B program will complete a standardised evaluation form.
Study Start
July 2005; Study completion: August 2006
Eligibility & Criteria
- Ages Eligible for Study: 18 Years – 45 Years
- Genders Eligible for Study: Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Inclusion Criteria:
- healthy women giving birth at the Angliss Hospital (primiparous and multiparous)
Exclusion Criteria:
- previous history of postnatal depression
Total Enrolment
160
Contact Details
The Angliss Hospital, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, 3156, Australia
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