Effects of Two In-hospital Antepartum Interventions on Functional Ability and Quality of Life in Early Postpartum Women.

Western University, Canada9 enrolled

Overview

The current standard of care for pregnant women deemed to be high-risk often involves recommending varying levels of activity-restriction, up to and including hospitalization. High levels of activity-restriction can lead to physical deconditioning of the mother, which can be difficult to recover from after birth. The proposed study will investigate whether a mild muscular conditioning program conducted in bed and given to hospitalized activity-restricted high-risk pregnant women will improve functional ability, cardiovascular deconditioning and overall quality of life in the postpartum period compared to a control group with no in hospital bed-rest exercise program. We hypothesize that women with a in-hospital muscle conditioning program will be better able to perform functional ability tasks and activities of daily living than a control group with no exercise program.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

High-Risk Pregnancy

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Hospitalized high-risk pregnant women in hospital for at least 7 days * Diagnosed with gestational hypertension * Diagnosed with preeclampsia (mild to moderate) * Diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction * Single baby * Expecting twins * Expecting triplets * Diagnosed with shortened cervix * Diagnosed with threatened pre-term labour (not actively contracting) Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with symptomatic placenta previa (bleeding) * Diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia (immediate delivery) * Diagnosed with conditions indicating a short term hospital stays of less than 7 days * Diagnosed with infections * Diagnosed with heart and renal disease * Diagnosed with diabetes * Diagnosed with metabolic bone disease * Diagnosed with hyper-or-hypo-thyroidism * Diagnosed with Cushing disease and anemia * Women carrying more than 3 babies

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Score on the Functional Mobility Assessment Tool

The Functional Mobility Assessment Tool was adapted from a senior fitness test, which uses 7 tests to assess muscular strength, aerobic endurance, flexibility and agility (Chair Stand Test, Arm Curl Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, 2-Minute Step Test, Chair Sit-And-Reach Test, Back Scratch Test, and 8-Foot-Up-And-Go Test).

Time frame: 2 weeks post delivery

Secondary Outcomes

Quality of life

The secondary outcome of the study is to examine quality of life in the postpartum period. Quality of life will be measured by completing four surveys the EQ-5D, and the Postpartum Psychological Profile Questionnaire which includes the Depression Scale (1 page), the State Anxiety Index (1 page) and the Postpartum Physical and Psychological Symptoms Report .

Time frame: Baseline (> 28 weeks gestation); 2 weeks post delivery; 2, 6 and 12 months post delivery

Follow up to Primary outcome Score for Functional Mobility Assessment Tool

Changes over time within groups and between groups in the post partum period

Time frame: 2, 6 and 12 months