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Effects of supervised exercise training during pregnancy on psychological well-being among overweight and obese women: Secondary analyses of the ETIP-trial, a randomized controlled trial.

Garnæs, Kirsti Krohn1; Helvik, Anne-Sofie1; Stafne, Signe Nilsen1; Mørkved, Siv1; Salvesen, Kjell Åsmund1; Salvesen, Øyvind1; Moholdt, Trine1

Published Oct 21, 2019 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pvmcvdng6

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Oct 21, 2019 version files 62.19 KB

Abstract

Objectives: Women with high body mass index (BMI) have increased risk for symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy and postpartum. In this pre-specified secondary analysis from the ETIP trial, our aim was to examine effects of supervised exercise during pregnancy on psychological well-being in late pregnancy and postpartum among women with a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 28 kg/m2.

Design: Single-centre, parallel group, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: University Hospital, Norway

Participants: Ninety-one women (age 31.2±4.1 years, BMI 34.5±4.2 kg/m2), 46 in the exercise group, 45 in the control group, were included in the trial.

Intervention: The exercise group was offered three weekly supervised exercise sessions (35 minutes of moderate intensity walking/running and 25 minutes of resistance training), until delivery.

Primary and secondary outcomes measures: Primary analyses were based on intention to treat, with secondary per-protocol analyses. To assess psychological well-being, we used the «Psychological General Well-Being Index» (PGWBI) at inclusion (gestational week 12-18), late pregnancy (gestational week 34-37), and three months postpartum. We assessed postpartum depression using the «Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale» (EDPS).

Results: Numbers completed data collection: Late pregnancy 72 (exercise 38, control 36), postpartum 70 (exercise 36, control 34). In the exercise group, 50% adhered to the exercise protocol. Baseline PGWBI for all women was 76.4±12.6. Late pregnancy PGWBI; exercise 76.6 (95% CI 72.2, 81.0), control 74.0 (95% CI 69.4, 78.5) (p = 0.42). Postpartum PGWBI; exercise 85.4 (95% CI 81.9, 88.8), control 84.6 (95% CI 80.8, 88.4) (with no between-group difference, p = 0.77). There was no between-group difference in EDPS; exercise 2.96 (95% CI 1.7, 4.2), control 3.48 (95% CI 2.3, 4.7) (p = 0.55).

Conclusions: We found no effect of supervised exercise during pregnancy on psychological well-being among women with high BMI. Our findings may be hampered by low adherence to the exercise protocol.