Diurnal fatigue patterns, sleep timing, and mental health outcomes among healthy postpartum women

Sleep-wake timing and chronotype in perinatal periods: longitudinal changes and associations with insomnia symptoms, sleep-related impairment, and mood from pregnancy to 2 years postpartum

Across the perinatal transition, existing research focuses mainly on significant changes in sleep duration and quality, neglecting sleep timing. This study investigated change trajectories of sleep timing and chronotype from late pregnancy to 2 years postpartum and examined longitudinal associations of chronotype with symptoms of insomnia, daytime sleep-related impairment, and mood. Data were from a two-arm randomised controlled trial testing parent-focused wellbeing interventions. Participants were a community sample of nullipara without severe sleep/mental health conditions. Participants self-reported bedtime, rise-time, chronotype, insomnia symptoms, sleep-related impairment, depression, and anxiety at seven time points: gestation Weeks 30 and 35, and postpartum Months 1.5, 3, 6, 12 and 24. Trajectories were estimated using mixed-effects models with continuous time, quadratic splines, and a knot at childbirth, controlling for age and group allocation. A total of 163 participants (mean [SD] age 33.35 [3.42] years) took part. Bedtime and rise-times delayed during late pregnancy (~8 and ~20 min, respectively) but became progressively earlier (~20 and ~60 min, respectively) over the 2 postpartum years. Chronotype became more eveningness in late pregnancy, and more morningness after childbirth, however changes were small. Controlling for sleep duration and efficiency, greater morningness was associated with significantly less symptoms of insomnia and sleep-related impairment over time (all p < 0.001); longitudinal associations between chronotype and symptoms of depression and anxiety were non-significant (all p > 0.65). Sleep-wake timing and chronotype became progressively earlier from pregnancy to 2 years postpartum. Morningness chronotype may be sleep-protective during the transition from pregnancy to parenthood. Mechanisms underlying these associations require further research.

The relationship of childbirth experience with postpartum depression and anxiety: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The childbirth experience is a personal life event that is influenced by physiologic and mental-psychological processes. Due to the prevalence of psychiatric problems after childbirth, it is important to recognize the factors affecting women's emotional reactions. This study was conducted to define the relationship of childbirth experience with postpartum anxiety and depression.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 399 women from 1 to 4 months after their childbirth who were referred to health centers in Tabriz-Iran from January 2021 to September 2021. Socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics questionnaire, Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0), Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) were used to collect the data. The general linear modeling was used along with adjustment of socio-demographic characteristics to determine the relationship between the childbirth experience with depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) of the overall score for childbirth experience, anxiety, and depression were 2.9 (0.2) (score range: 1 to 4), 91.6 (4.8) (score range: 0 to153), and 9.4 (0.7) (score range: 0 to 30), respectively. There was a significant inverse correlation between the overall score of childbirth experiences, the depression score (r= -0.36, p < 0.001), and the anxiety score (r= -0.12, p = 0.028) based on the Pearson correlation test. According to the general linear modeling and with adjustment of socio-demographic characteristics, with the increasing score of the childbirth experience, the depression score decreased (B= -0.2; 95%CI: -0.3 to -0.1). Moreover, the variable of control during pregnancy was a predictor for postpartum depression and anxiety, so in women with the control during pregnancy, the mean score of postpartum depression (B= -1.8; CI 95%: -3.0 to -0.5; P = 0.004) and anxiety (B=-6.0; CI 95%: -10.1 to -1.6; P = 0.007) was less.

CONCLUSION

Based on the study results, postpartum depression and anxiety are related to childbirth experiences, therefore considering the effects of mothers' mental health on other aspects of a woman and her family's life, the core role of health care providers and policymakers in creating positive childbirth experiences is determined.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Stabilizing Exercises for Lumbopelvic Region Impact in Postpartum Women With Low Back and Pelvic Pain

BackgroundCountless women experience lumbopelvic pain (LBPP) after pregnancy. Physical activity is revealed as a beneficial procedure to alleviate LBPP, yet it appears that individual investigations report mixed conclusions about its effectiveness. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the impact of stabilizing exercises on pain intensity, disability, and quality of life (QoL) in postpartum women. Data sources: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and reference lists of included studies up to September, 2021. Study selection: Eleven studies comprising 623 participants were included and analyzed using a random-effects model. Results: Data displayed that stabilizing exercises significantly reduced pain (standard mean difference; SMD: -0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.26 to -0.27, p = .002), and disability (SMD: -1.19, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.68, p < .001). However, our study found no significant change in QoL following stabilizing exercises (MD: 4.42, 95% CI: -5.73, 14.57, p = .39). Conclusion: Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that stabilizing interventions had some benefits in postpartum women. While there is some evidence to display the efficacy of stabilizing exercises for relieving LBPP, additional longer-term and high-quality studies are required to confirm the current findings.

Six Weeks Effects of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Training in Obese Postpartum Women With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The worldwide prevalence of obesity and low back pain (LBP) has recently dramatically increased and is mainly indicated among postpartum women, leading to a range of adverse health consequences.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization training (DNS) in obese postpartum women with LBP.

METHOD

This was a pretest-posttest study design. The study was conducted with 40 obese postpartum women with LBP randomized to receive DNS (n = 20) or General Exercise (GE, n = 20) 6 times a week for 6 weeks. The data were gathered before and after the 6-week intervention.

RESULTS

Forty participants completed the study (mean ± SD, age 29.30 ± 3.77 years; weight 88.10 ± 6.09 kg; height 165.40 ± 6.31 cm; and BMI, 32.19 ± 1.07 kg/m²). The overall group-by-time interaction was significant for Numeric Pain-Rating Scale, Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, Inspiration and Expiration Breath Hold Time, and Respiratory Rate outcomes. The global rating of change was significantly different between groups (p < .05). The rate of improvement was higher in the DNS group compared to the GE group in all 6 tests.

CONCLUSION

The present study confirms that DNS is applicable in obese postpartum women with LBP and effectively improved NPRS, MODQ, FABQ, BHT, and RR. It is clinically suggested that DNS is imperative based on ideal ontogenetic patterns to attain optimal results for obese postpartum women with LBP.

Psychometric evaluation of the postpartum specific anxiety scale in an Iranian population (PSAS-IR)

BACKGROUND

Anxiety is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders among mothers during the postpartum period, which can lead to maternal and infant physical and psychological consequences. The Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) predicts unique variance in postnatal outcomes over and above general anxiety tools. It has never been used in Iran and its validity and reliability have not been assessed either. Therefore, the present study aimed to translate and investigate the psychometric properties of the PSAS-IR.

METHODS

510 women, from six weeks to six months postpartum, were selected through random sampling in 2020. After forward and back-translation, the face validity, content validity, and construct validity of PSAS (through confirmatory factor analysis) were examined. The reliability of the scale was assessed using both internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and test-retest stability methods.

RESULTS

CVI and CVR values of the PSAS tool were 0.89 and 0.88, respectively. The good fit indices confirmed the validity of four-factor structure. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Intra Correlation Coefficient (ICC) equaled 0.93 and 0.92, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The Persian version of PSAS is a valid and reliable four-factor scale, it will improve the measurement of postpartum anxiety in an Iranian setting. This will improve the measurement of postpartum anxiety in an Iranian setting.

Passive sensing on mobile devices to improve mental health services with adolescent and young mothers in low-resource settings: the role of families in feasibility and acceptability

BACKGROUND

Passive sensor data from mobile devices can shed light on daily activities, social behavior, and maternal-child interactions to improve maternal and child health services including mental healthcare. We assessed feasibility and acceptability of the Sensing Technologies for Maternal Depression Treatment in Low Resource Settings (StandStrong) platform. The StandStrong passive data collection platform was piloted with adolescent and young mothers, including mothers experiencing postpartum depression, in Nepal.

METHODS

Mothers (15-25 years old) with infants (< 12 months old) were recruited in person from vaccination clinics in rural Nepal. They were provided with an Android smartphone and a Bluetooth beacon to collect data in four domains: the mother's location using the Global Positioning System (GPS), physical activity using the phone's accelerometer, auditory environment using episodic audio recording on the phone, and mother-infant proximity measured with the Bluetooth beacon attached to the infant's clothing. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated based on the amount of passive sensing data collected compared to the total amount that could be collected in a 2-week period. Endline qualitative interviews were conducted to understand mothers' experiences and perceptions of passive data collection.

RESULTS

Of the 782 women approached, 320 met eligibility criteria and 38 mothers (11 depressed, 27 non-depressed) were enrolled. 38 mothers (11 depressed, 27 non-depressed) were enrolled. Across all participants, 5,579 of the hour-long data collection windows had at least one audio recording [mean (M) = 57.4% of the total possible hour-long recording windows per participant; median (Mdn) = 62.6%], 5,001 activity readings (M = 50.6%; Mdn = 63.2%), 4,168 proximity readings (M = 41.1%; Mdn = 47.6%), and 3,482 GPS readings (M = 35.4%; Mdn = 39.2%). Feasibility challenges were phone battery charging, data usage exceeding prepaid limits, and burden of carrying mobile phones. Acceptability challenges were privacy concerns and lack of family involvement. Overall, families' understanding of passive sensing and families' awareness of potential benefits to mothers and infants were the major modifiable factors increasing acceptability and reducing gaps in data collection.

CONCLUSION

Per sensor type, approximately half of the hour-long collection windows had at least one reading. Feasibility challenges for passive sensing on mobile devices can be addressed by providing alternative phone charging options, reverse billing for the app, and replacing mobile phones with smartwatches. Enhancing acceptability will require greater family involvement and improved communication regarding benefits of passive sensing for psychological interventions and other health services. Registration International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/14734.

Outcomes of a walking exercise intervention in postpartum women with disordered sleep

AIM

Good sleep quality is essential to physical and mental-health-related quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a walking exercise in relieving sleep quality, fatigue, and depression in new mothers during the postpartum period.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental study was conducted at a teaching hospital in southern Taiwan. One hundred and four eligible postpartum women with poor sleep quality (Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale; PSQS score ≧16) were assigned to either the experimental group (n = 50) or the control group (n = 54) according to their individual preferences. The participants in the experimental group participated in a 12-week stride walking exercise intervention. The control group did not receive any exercise intervention. The PSQS, Postpartum Fatigue Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale were used to assess outcomes.

RESULTS

Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that the experimental group participants perceived milder physical symptoms associated with sleep inefficiency at 4-week posttest (F = 7.25, p < 0.01) than their control group peers. However, no significant differences were found between two groups in terms of either fatigue or depression at 4-week and 12-week posttest.

CONCLUSION

Significant improvement in the physical symptoms associated with sleep inefficiency was observed. The findings may be used to encourage postpartum women with disordered sleep to incorporate 20-30 min of stride walking into their regular routine to improve sleep quality.

Sleep parameters measured by accelerometry: descriptive analyses from the 22-year follow-up of the Pelotas 1993 birth cohort

OBJECTIVE

To describe the sleep time window (STW), total sleep time (TST), and sleep percent [SP = (TST/STW) × 100] by accelerometry in a population-based young adult cohort in Brazil.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis with a 22-year sample (N = 2462). Sleep variables were measured using an accelerometer. The devices were worn on the non-dominant wrist for approximately seven days. A raw data analysis using the GGIR package was performed. The following sleep variables were extracted: TST, STW, and SP. Linear regression was used to adjust averages. All analyses were stratified according to sex. A comparison between weekday and weekend averages was also conducted.

RESULTS

The means of TST, STW, and SP for men were 5.9 h, 7.1 h, and 83.1%, respectively. For women, the means of TST, STW, and SP were 6.4 h, 7.6 h, and 84.6%, respectively. Women presented a higher means of all outcomes compared to men (p < 0.001). After adjusting for both sexes, white skin color and not working or studying were associated with higher TST. Individuals not working or studying presented higher means of STW and lower sleep SP. Women with children who were less than two years of age presented lower values of three evaluated outcomes. Regarding behavior and health condition variables, obesity was associated with lower STW only for men. Physical activity was associated with higher SP and risk drinking with lower TST and STW only for women.

CONCLUSION

Differences between sexes were observed in TST, STW, and SP. In all outcomes women presented a higher means. Socioeconomic variables were associated with both sexes, but having children and behavior/health conditions differed between sexes.

Wearable Digital Sensors to Identify Risks of Postpartum Depression and Personalize Psychological Treatment for Adolescent Mothers: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Exploratory Study in Rural Nepal

BACKGROUND

There is a high prevalence of untreated postpartum depression among adolescent mothers with the greatest gap in services in low- and middle-income countries. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of nonspecialists to provide mental health services for postpartum depression in these low-resource settings. However, there is inconsistency in short-term and long-term benefits from the interventions. Passive sensing data generated from wearable digital devices can be used to more accurately distinguish which mothers will benefit from psychological services. In addition, wearable digital sensors can be used to passively collect data to personalize care for mothers. Therefore, wearable passive sensing technology has the potential to improve outcomes from psychological treatments for postpartum depression.

OBJECTIVE

This study will explore the use of wearable digital sensors for two objectives: First, we will pilot test using wearable sensors to generate passive sensing data that distinguish adolescent mothers with depression from those without depression. Second, we will explore how nonspecialists can integrate data from passive sensing technologies to better personalize psychological treatment.

METHODS

This study will be conducted in rural Nepal with participatory involvement of adolescent mothers and health care stakeholders through a community advisory board. The first study objective will be addressed by comparing behavioral patterns of adolescent mothers without depression (n=20) and with depression (n=20). The behavioral patterns will be generated by wearable digital devices collecting data in 4 domains: (1) the physical activity of mothers using accelerometer data on mobile phones, (2) the geographic range and routine of mothers using GPS (Global Positioning System) data collected from mobile phones, (3) the time and routine of adolescent mothers with their infants using proximity data collected from Bluetooth beacons, and (4) the verbal stimulation and auditory environment for mothers and infants using episodic audio recordings on mobile phones. For the second objective, the same 4 domains of data will be collected and shared with nonspecialists who are delivering an evidence-based behavioral activation intervention to the depressed adolescent mothers. Over 5 weeks of the intervention, we will document how passive sensing data are used by nonspecialists to personalize the intervention. In addition, qualitative data on feasibility and acceptability of passive data collection will be collected for both objectives.

RESULTS

To date, a community advisory board comprising young women and health workers engaged with adolescent mothers has been established. The study is open for recruitment, and data collection is anticipated to be completed in November 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

Integration of passive sensing data in public health and clinical programs for mothers at risk of perinatal mental health problems has the potential to more accurately identify who will benefit from services and increase the effectiveness by personalizing psychological interventions.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/14734.

The Role of Circadian Rhythms in Postpartum Sleep and Mood

Women often experience sleep disturbances and worsening sleep quality throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Circadian rhythms are closely linked to sleep problems and mood disorders. This systematic review provides a summary of studies of circadian rhythms and associated sleep problems and maternal distress, among postpartum women. Articles were idenitfied through a systematic literature search. Circadian rhythm disturbances were strongly correlated with depression, social factors and mothers`s exposure to light postpartum. Future research should include larger, prospective studies as well as randomized controlled trials for measuring effect of circadian rhythm interventions on postpartum mental health outcomes.

Poor sleep quality increases symptoms of depression and anxiety in postpartum women

This study evaluated the relationship between sleep quality and symptoms of depression and anxiety in women studied in pregnancy and postpartum. Scores on standardized measures of sleep (PSQI) at 6 months postpartum, and symptoms of anxiety and depression (OASIS, the PHQ9, and EPDS) were assessed by structured interviews in 116 women in pregnancy and/or postpartum. Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with greater symptoms of depression and anxiety. Women who had significantly higher OASIS (anxiety) scores (β = .530, p < .001), PHQ9 (depression) scores (β = .496, p < .001), and EPDS (postpartum depression and anxiety) scores (β = .585, p < .001) also had elevated total PSQI scores after adjustment for covariates, including prenatal depression and anxiety scores. Though inferences about causality are not feasible, these results support emerging research showing sleep quality is a risk factor for negative maternal affect in the postpartum period. Assessment of maternal sleep hygiene is worth consideration as a component of identifying women at risk for postpartum depression and anxiety.

Effects of napping on cognitive function modulation in elderly adults with a morning chronotype: A nationwide survey

Circadian rhythms and napping habits have been associated with cognitive function; however, little is known about the interaction effects on cognitive function. The present study examined the moderating effects of napping habits on the relationship between chronotypes and cognitive function decline in elderly adults. This cross-sectional study analysed data from the 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey. A total of 1,724 elderly adults (aged ≥65 years) were included. Cognitive function was determined by the Mini-Mental State Examination. Participants' chronotypes were assessed using the midpoint of sleep. Napping habits were assessed by self-report questions. Demographic data, health-related factors and sleep characteristics of the participants were also assessed as potential confounding factors. A hierarchical regression will be used to test the moderating role of napping habits in the relationship between chronotype and cognitive function level after adjustment for potential confounders. A significant interaction effect between chronotype and napping habits was observed with the MMSE score (b = -0.29, SE = 0.14, p = 0.03). Morning-type elderly patients with nap durations >60 min exhibited significantly higher MMSE scores than non-nappers (F = 7.48; p = 0.00). This nationwide survey confirms that in morning-type elderly adults, nap durations >60 min are associated with less cognitive decline; however, napping habits are not associated with cognitive function level in evening-type and intermediate-type elderly adults.

Bladder Symptoms, Fatigue and Physical Activity in Postpartum Women

PURPOSE

Physical activity is important for postpartum women. The objective of this study was to evaluate bladder symptoms, fatigue, and physical activity according to time after birth and birth modes.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using web-based questionnaire or one-to-one contact. A total of 290 women after giving birth responded to self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of variance determined the differences in variables.

RESULTS

Bladder symptoms were significantly different by time after birth and birth mode; they were the highest in the first week after birth and in Cesarean birth. Postpartum fatigue showed a significant tendency by birth mode, but not by time after birth. Physical activity was significantly different by birth mode. The lowest level of physical activity was found for women who gave Cesarean birth. Moderate physical activity was also significantly different by time after birth, but vigorous physical activity was not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, bladder symptoms and physical activity are different by time after birth and birth mode in postpartum women. The first week after giving birth is an important period for postpartum women whose bladder symptoms and physical activity should be of concern.

Disturbed Sleep and Postpartum Depression

The perinatal period introduces a myriad of changes. One important but often overlooked change is an increased reporting of sleep disturbance. Although casually regarded as a consequence of pregnancy or postpartum, there is emerging evidence implicating significant sleep disturbance, characterized by insomnia symptoms and/or poor sleep quality, with adverse outcomes, such as an increase in depressive symptomatology or the development postpartum depression (PPD). Significant consequences may arise as a result including issues with maternal-infant bonding, effective care for the infant, and behavioral or emotional difficulties in the infant. This review discusses the relevant literature as to how disturbed sleep during pregnancy as well as in the postpartum may increase the risk for PPD.