Contactless exercise intervention in prenatal and postnatal period during COVID-19 lowers the risk of postpartum depression.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial adverse impact on the physical and mental health of pregnant and postpartum women, thereby increasing the risk of postpartum depression (PPD). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a continuous contactless exercise intervention in reducing the risk of depression during the prenatal and postnatal periods. The study utilized an interactive contactless exercise program consisting of Pilates movement over a 16-week period, with 8 weeks during pregnancy and 8 weeks after childbirth. Metabolic and psychological factors related to postpartum depression, including pain, stress, and stress-response markers, were analyzed. The results showed that the exercise intervention significantly alleviated postpartum depression by improving pain (Oswestry Disability Index: Non-exercise, 11.4 ± 14.8 versus Exercise, - 63.1 ± 18.4, p < .001) and stress factors (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: Non-exercise, 8.8 ± 8.72 versus Exercise, - 37.6 ± 9.13, p < .001; Perceived Stress Scale: Non-exercise, 9.21 ± 9.35 versus Exercise, - 20.7 ± 14.4, p < .001) caused by physical/structural imbalances in postpartum women. Additionally, the intervention improved the metabolic imbalances commonly observed after childbirth, including reductions in triglyceride (Interaction effect, p = .017), insulin (Interaction effect, p = .032), and cortisol levels (Interaction effect, p < .001), which are recognized risk factors for postpartum depression. Taken together, these findings suggest that contactless online exercise interventions can mitigate postpartum depression by addressing metabolic dysregulation that frequently occurs after delivery, especially in situations of social isolation caused by the pandemic.

Exercise as an antidepressant: exploring its therapeutic potential.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of depressive disorders worldwide, requiring alternative treatments beyond medication and psychotherapy. Exercise has positive effects on the brain; therefore, it has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for individuals with depression. Considerable research involving humans and animals offers compelling evidence to support the mental health benefits of physical activity or exercise mediated by the regulation of complex theoretical paradigms. However, challenges such as conducting long-term follow-up assessments and considering individual characteristics remain in human studies despite extensive efforts. While animal studies provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of exercise and its impact on outcomes related to depression and anxiety in rodents exposed to different stress paradigms, translating the findings to humans requires careful evaluation. More research is needed to establish precise exercise prescription guidelines and to better understand the complex relationship between exercise and depressive disorders. Therefore, this concise review explores the evidence supporting exercise intervention as an antidepressant treatment and its underlying mechanisms.

Effect of Home-Based Tele-Pilates Intervention on Pregnant Women: A Pilot Study.

Pilates is effective for training the core muscles and stabilizing the hip joints, which provides relief from pelvic pain and low back pain during pregnancy. However, there are no specific guidelines on appropriate physical exercises for pregnant women due to the current pandemic. We aimed to apply the exercise standard proposed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to home-based tele-Pilates exercise (HTPE), to determine its effect on the physical and mental health of pregnant women. We randomly divided the subjects into the following two groups who completed 8 weeks of HTPE (50 min/day, 2 days/week): (a) Pilates exercise (PE, n = 7) and (B) non-Pilates exercise (CON, n = 7). HTPE was performed by adjusting the program every 3 weeks, based on pain and physical fitness levels. We measured body composition, muscles of the hip joint, pelvic tilt, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), before and after HTPE. Following HTPE, while the percentage of body fat and body mass index had significantly decreased, the body fat mass did not change in the PE group (p < 0.05). The PE group showed an increase in strength of the left and right hip flexion and hip abduction, compared to the CON group (p < 0.01). The ODI and PSQI were significantly decreased in the PE group (p < 0.05). Therefore, the 8-week HTPE program is an effective exercise for pregnant woman that reduces body fat metabolism and strengthens muscles of the hip joint, thus alleviating pregnancy-induced low back pain and insomnia.

Psychological and Biochemical Effects of an Online Pilates Intervention in Pregnant Women during COVID-19: A Randomized Pilot Study.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of real-time online Pilates exercise during COVID-19 on women's body composition, blood lipids, and psychological health after childbirth. The participants were 16 pregnant women (24-28 weeks pregnant) enrolled at the C Women's Culture Center in Seoul, South Korea, classified into online Pilates groups and non-exercise groups (PE, n = 8; CON, n = 8). The online Pilates program was conducted for 8 weeks, twice a week, and 50 min a day using a real-time video chat app. Participants visited the hospital twice for body composition and blood tests. Questionnaires on postpartum depression, sleep disorder, and stress were conducted at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after childbirth. We found a significant difference between groups in body composition. The weight, percentage of body fat, body fat mass, and BMI of the PE group decreased. Blood lipids showed significant differences between the groups in TC, TG, LDL and CRP, while insulin and HDL showed no difference. All blood lipids, insulin, and CRP in the PE group were reduced. There were significant differences between the groups in postpartum depression, sleep disorders, and perceived stress indices performed in the post-test, and the serotonin concentration in the PE group increased. Serotonin levels were significantly correlated with postpartum depression, body fat mass, and body fat rate. Pregnant women's online Pilates in this study was effective at reducing weight and depression in women after childbirth and should be used to promote women's mental health during COVID-19.