Investigating the impact of physical-mental exercises on depression after Premature Birth: a clinical trial

Background and Aim: Preterm delivery, and the consequences are include premature newborn, hospitalization in the NICU ward, psychological damage to mother and heart family performing low-cost, practical interventions can play an important role in promoting maternal health by to reduce psychological trauma. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the impact of physical-mental exercises on depression after preterm delivery. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 100 women with preterm delivery 28-36 weeks, it was performed in public hospitals in Mashhad in 2019. Sampling was performed by random blocking method and the subjects were selected by available method and were divided into two control groups (n=50) and intervention (n=50). The intervention group performed stretching exercises as well as meditation by the researcher on the third day after delivery with a frequency of two sessions per week for up to 8 sessions, and the control group received the usual care. Beck's depression questionnaire was completed for both groups in the first 24 hours after delivery and at the end of the study. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Wilkaxon. Results: The mean score of depression in the intervention and control groups at the end of the study was statistically significant (p≥0.001). The mean score of depression in the intervention group was significant at the beginning and the end of the study (P<0.001). Conclusion: Stretching exercises with a focus on the body after delivery can reduce the rate of depression in mothers with preterm delivery.