The Preliminary Feasibility of a Telehealth Exercise Intervention for Women with Postpartum Depression

Background: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a debilitating disorder characterised as serious depressive episodes prevalent following childbirth. PPD is one of the most common complications associated with childbirth, and if untreated, can persist for up to three years into the postpartum period. Women with PPD experience barriers to accessing health care including stigma, shame, financial and time constraints, and practical considerations like lack of child-minding and transport. In Australia, postpartum women experience the lowest physical activity levels of all vulnerable populations and barriers to exercise coincide with the barriers to care for PPD including time and financial constraints, and family commitments. Therefore, women with PPD are unlikely to be reaping the physical and mental health related benefits to participating in regular physical activity. Telehealth has been proposed as a potential method for delivery of exercise interventions in vulnerable populations. The aim of this thesis was to determine the preliminary feasibility of an evidence-based physical activity and exercise promotion intervention delivered via telehealth for women with postpartum depression. Methods: This thesis includes two studies, [1] a quantitative systematic literature review and, [2] a preliminary feasibility study. The quantitative systematic literature review examined and synthesised the methods, intervention characteristics and outcome measures of telehealth physical activity and exercise interventions for postpartum women. The feasibility study was informed by results from [1]. Women indicated for postpartum depression (EPDS score of >9) at screening were recruited to a single arm, pre-post exercise intervention. Participants received 6-weeks of exercise prescription and up to three weekly, live online video consultations with a university level exercise practitioner (Accredited Exercise Scientist). The acceptability (participant satisfaction), implementation (degree of
Thesis (Masters)
Master of Medical Research (MMedRes)
School of Pharmacy & Med Sci
Griffith Health
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