Postpartum Wellness (POW)

Kaiser Permanente

Status: Completed

Conditions: Postpartum Depression

Treatments: Behavioral: Exercise intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04414696

1548855

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to test whether a web-based (eHealth) exercise intervention for new moms at increased risk for postpartum depression increases physical activity and decreases postpartum depression symptoms.

Full description

Postpartum depression is a debilitating and costly condition that is associated with significant health consequences for mothers and children. Counseling for prevention of postpartum depression is currently recommended in women at high risk of postpartum depression; however, there is a shortage of mental health care providers. There is a need for effective interventions to prevent postpartum depression that can be easily integrated into health care systems, yet do not involve intense health care system resources. eHealth interventions are promising in this regard.

Strong evidence suggests physical activity can reduce depression risk. This study will assess the effectiveness of an eHealth exercise intervention tailored to postpartum mothers for increasing physical activity levels and improving depressive symptoms in women at increased risk of postpartum depression. This intervention addresses several identified barriers to physical activity in postpartum women. The study will randomize 200 women to receive an eHealth exercise intervention for postpartum women or usual postpartum care. Device-based physical activity and depressive symptoms will be measured at 3 and 6 months after randomization.

Enrollment: 99 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• KPNC member between 2 and 6 months postpartum
• Current PHQ-8 score between 10-20 and no current depression diagnosis
• Delivered baby in KPNC
• English-speaking
• Own a smartphone, computer, or TV with internet access
• Free of a heart condition and a physician recommending medically supervised physical activity
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 40 (kg/m2)
• A baby weighing between 11-22 lbs

Exclusion criteria

• Engaged in regular, moderate or vigorous physical activity >90 minutes or more per week
• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the ensuing three months
• A baby with chronic illness/disorder(s) that prevent participant from holding or lifting him/her
• Chest pain during physical activity, or has had chest pain within the prior month
• Taking medication for hypertension or a heart condition
• Tendency to fall due to syncope or dizziness
• Orthopedic problems that might be aggravated by physical activity
• Has exercise-induced asthma

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

99 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be asked to use a web-based (eHealth) exercise intervention for 3 months. This eHealth exercise intervention includes over 90, 10-minute exercise videos with options for exercise type, time, and intensity, customized to the weight of the infant. Users can either select up to three 10-minute videos to create a 10 to 30-minute workout or choose a 'Ready Made' workout that is either 10, 20, or 30-minutes long.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Exercise intervention

Usual Care

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the usual care condition will follow their usual standard care as suggested by their provider. Participants will complete the same assessments and incentives as the active intervention but will not receive the eHealth exercise intervention.