Development and evaluation of a multimedia CD-ROM for exercise during pregnancy and postpartum

Effects of non-supervised aerobic exercise on sleep quality and maternal-fetal attachment in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the effect in pregnant women of a non-supervised aerobic exercise intervention on sleep quality and maternal-fetal attachment.

DESIGN

Pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Prenatal clinic of a medical center in southern Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and forty eligible, pregnant women were assigned systematically, at a random starting point, to either the experimental group (n = 70) or the control group (n = 70).

INTERVENTION

Participants in the experimental group received a 20-minute, low-impact aerobic exercise video on DVD and were instructed to exercise at home at least three times per week for a period of three months. Participants in the control group received routine prenatal care only.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Modified Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale were used to assess outcome measures before the intervention and at four and 12-weeks post-intervention.

RESULTS

The paired-sample t-tests revealed a significant improvement in sleep quality in the experimental group at 4-weeks posttest, which persisted through 12-weeks posttest. In addition, the experimental group reported a significantly higher mean score for maternal-fetal attachment at 4-weeks posttest than the control group.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that performing aerobic exercise ameliorates the decline in sleep quality and improves maternal-fetal attachment in women who are pregnant. These findings may be used to encourage pregnant women to regularly perform low-impact aerobic exercise.

Development of Home Educational Materials for Families of Preterm Infants

INTRODUCTION

Parent educational materials describing infant positioning for a home program are vital in supplementing NICU discharge instructions and promoting parent confidence.

PURPOSE

To document the process of developing a brochure and DVD of a positioning program, using evidence-based practice and NICU expert feedback.

METHODS

A trifold brochure and companion DVD were developed to demonstrate infant positioning to parents of premature infants for a home developmental program following NICU discharge. A standard process of development was followed for the brochure and DVD script and production. The process included review and comment by eight NICU professionals and several revisions.

RESULTS

Content of the brochure and DVD and the process entailed in their development is described. Guidelines outlining the process for development of educational materials for families are provided.

CONCLUSION

Creation of multimedia educational materials for parents of infants who are NICU graduates requires a multistep process to ensure usefulness and validity.

Diet or exercise, or both, for preventing excessive weight gain in pregnancy

BACKGROUND

This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2012, Issue 4. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is associated with poor maternal and neonatal outcomes including gestational diabetes, hypertension, caesarean section, macrosomia, and stillbirth. Diet or exercise interventions, or both, may reduce excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and associated poor outcomes; however, evidence from the original review was inconclusive.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of diet or exercise, or both, interventions for preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy and associated pregnancy complications.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (5 November 2014), contacted investigators of the previously identified ongoing studies and scanned reference lists of retrieved studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of diet or exercise, or both, interventions for preventing excessive weight gain in pregnancy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy. We organised RCTs according to the type of interventions and pooled data using the random-effects model in the Review Manager software. We also performed subgroup analyses according to the initial risk of adverse effects related to poor weight control. We performed sensitivity analysis to assess the robustness of the findings.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 65 RCTs, out of which 49 RCTs involving 11,444 women contributed data to quantitative meta-analysis. Twenty studies were at moderate-to-high risk of bias. Study interventions involved mainly diet only, exercise only, and combined diet and exercise interventions, usually compared with standard care. Study methods varied widely; therefore, we estimated the average effect across studies and performed sensitivity analysis, where appropriate, by excluding outliers and studies at high risk of bias.Diet or exercise, or both, interventions reduced the risk of excessive GWG on average by 20% overall (average risk ratio (RR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.73 to 0.87; participants = 7096; studies = 24; I² = 52%). This estimate was robust to sensitivity analysis, which reduced heterogeneity, therefore we graded this evidence as high-quality. Interventions involving low glycaemic load diets, supervised or unsupervised exercise only, or diet and exercise combined all led to similar reductions in the number of women gaining excessive weight in pregnancy.Women receiving diet or exercise, or both interventions were more likely to experience low GWG than those in control groups (average RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.27; participants = 4422; studies = 11; I² = 3%; moderate-quality evidence). We found no difference between intervention and control groups with regard to pre-eclampsia (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.16; participants = 5330; studies = 15; I² = 0%; high-quality evidence); however, maternal hypertension (not a pre-specified outcome) was reduced in the intervention group compared with the control group overall (average RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.96; participants = 5162; studies = 11; I² = 43%; low-quality evidence).There was no clear difference between groups with regard to caesarean delivery overall (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.03; participants = 7534; studies = 28; I² = 9%; high-quality evidence); although the effect estimate suggested a small difference (5%) in favour of the interventions. In addition, for combined diet and exercise counselling interventions there was a 13% (-1% to 25%) reduction in this outcome (borderline statistical significance).We found no difference between groups with regard to preterm birth overall (average RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.22; participants = 5923; studies = 16; I² = 16%; moderate-quality evidence); however limited evidence suggested that these effect estimates may differ according to the types of interventions, with a trend towards an increased risk for exercise-only interventions.We found no clear difference between intervention and control groups with regard to infant macrosomia (average RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.02; participants = 8598; studies = 27; I² = 0%; high-quality evidence), although the effect estimate suggested a small difference (7% reduction) in favour of the intervention group. The largest effect size occurred in the supervised exercise-only intervention group (RR 0.81, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.02; participants = 2445; studies = 7; I² = 0%), which approached statistical significance (P = 0.07). Furthermore, in subgroup analysis by risk, high-risk women (overweight or obese women, or women with or at risk of gestational diabetes) receiving combined diet and exercise counselling interventions experienced a 15% reduced risk of infant macrosomia (average RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.00; participants = 3252; studies = nine; I² = 0; P = 0.05; moderate-quality evidence)There were no differences in the risk of poor neonatal outcomes including shoulder dystocia, neonatal hypoglycaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, or birth trauma (all moderate-quality evidence) between intervention and control groups; however, infants of high-risk women had a reduced risk of respiratory distress syndrome if their mothers were in the intervention group (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.85; participants = 2256; studies = two; I² = 0%; moderate-quality evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

High-quality evidence indicates that diet or exercise, or both, during pregnancy can reduce the risk of excessive GWG. Other benefits may include a lower risk of caesarean delivery, macrosomia, and neonatal respiratory morbidity, particularly for high-risk women receiving combined diet and exercise interventions. Maternal hypertension may also be reduced. Exercise appears to be an important part of controlling weight gain in pregnancy and more research is needed to establish safe guidelines. Most included studies were carried out in developed countries and it is not clear whether these results are widely applicable to lower income settings.

Use of a DVD to provide dietary and lifestyle information to pregnant women who are overweight or obese: a nested randomised trial

Background

We conducted a nested randomised trial to evaluate the effect of an educational DVD, providing information about healthy food choices and exercise during pregnancy, on diet and physical activity, among pregnant women who were overweight or obese.

Methods

We conducted a nested randomised trial within the context of the LIMIT randomised trial. Women were eligible with a singleton pregnancy between 10 and 20 weeks gestation, and body mass index at the time of their first antenatal appointment of ≥25 kg/m². All women who were randomised to the Lifestyle Advice Group of the LIMIT trial received a series of consultations with both research dieticians and research assistants, in addition to standard written dietary and exercise materials (Standard Materials Group). Women randomised to the DVD Group received the same consultations and written materials, and additionally received an educational DVD (DVD Group). The primary study outcome was the Healthy Eating Index. Other study outcomes included physical activity, and gestational weight gain. Women completed a qualitative evaluation of all the materials provided.

Results

1,108 women in the LIMIT Lifestyle Advice Group participated in the nested trial, with 543 women randomised to the DVD Group, and 565 women to the Standard Materials Group. Women who received the DVD compared with those who did not, had a higher mean Healthy Eating Index at 36 weeks gestation (73.6 vs 72.3; adjusted mean difference 1.2; 95% CI 0.2 to 2.3; p = 0.02), but not at 28 weeks gestation (73.2 vs 73.5; adjusted mean difference −0.1; 95% CI −1.1 to 0.9; p = 0.82). There were no statistically significant differences in physical activity or total gestational weight gain. While most women evaluated the materials positively, frequency of utilisation was poor.

Conclusions

Ongoing attention to the delivery of information is required, particularly with the increased use and availability of digital and multi-media interactive technologies.

Trial registration

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12607000161426

Dietary outcomes of a community based intervention for mothers of young children: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Unhealthy dietary behaviours are one of the key risk factors for many lifestyle-related diseases worldwide. This randomised controlled trial aimed to increase the level of fruit, vegetable and fibre intake and decrease the fat and sugar consumption of mothers with young children (0-5 years) via the playgroup setting.

METHODS

Playgroups located in 60 neighbourhoods in Perth, Western Australia were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 249) or control group (n = 272). Those in the intervention group received a 6-month multi-strategy primarily home-based physical activity and nutrition program (data is only presented on dietary behaviours). Data on dietary consumption was collected via the Fat and Fibre Barometer and frequency of serves of fruit and vegetable and cups of soft drink, flavoured drink and fruit juice. The effects of the intervention on continuous outcome measures were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), after adjusting for mother's age and the corresponding variables.

RESULTS

The outcomes of the intervention were positive with the intervention group showing statistically significant improvements, when compared to the control group in the overall consumption of fat and fibre (p < 0.0005); of fibre (p < 0.0005) - fruit and vegetables (p < 0.0005), wholegrain (p = 0.002): and fat (p = 0.005) - dairy products (p = 0.006) and lean meat and chicken (p = 0.041). There were no significant changes in the consumption of sweet drinks.

CONCLUSIONS

This intervention was successful in improving dietary intake in the intervention group participants. The moderate positive outcomes indicate that playgroups potentially provide quite a viable setting to recruit, engage and retain this hard to reach group of mothers of young children in programs that support the adoption of health-enhancing behaviours. This adds valuable information to this under researched area.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000718246.

Summary of international guidelines for physical activity after pregnancy

Postpartum physical activity can improve mood, maintain cardiorespiratory fitness, improve weight control, promote weight loss, and reduce depression and anxiety. This review summarizes current guidelines for postpartum physical activity worldwide. PubMed (MEDLINE) was searched for country-specific government and clinical guidelines on physical activity after pregnancy through the year 2013. Only the most recent guideline was included in the review. An abstraction form facilitated extraction of key details and helped to summarize results. Six guidelines were identified from 5 countries (Australia, Canada, Norway, United Kingdom, and United States). All guidelines were embedded within pregnancy-related physical activity recommendations. All provided physical activity advice related to breastfeeding and 3 remarked about physical activity after cesarean delivery. Recommended physical activities mentioned in the guidelines included aerobic (3/6), pelvic floor exercise (3/6), strengthening (2/6), stretching (2/6), and walking (2/6). None of the guidelines discussed sedentary behavior. The guidelines that were identified lacked specificity for physical activity. Greater clarity in guidelines would be more useful to both practitioners and the women they serve. Postpartum physical activity guidelines have the potential to assist women to initiate or resume physical activity after childbirth so that they can transition to meeting recommended levels of physical activity. Health care providers have a critical role in encouraging women to be active at this time, and the availability of more explicit guidelines may assist them to routinely include physical activity advice in their postpartum care.

Results of a randomized controlled trial to promote physical activity behaviours in mothers with young children

OBJECTIVE

Increasing levels of physical activity in mothers have long-term health benefits for the mother and family. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a six-month, physical activity RCT for mothers of young children.

METHODS

Women were recruited via playgroups and randomly assigned to intervention (n=394) or control group (n=322). The intervention group received a six-month multi-strategy programme delivered via playgroups in Perth, Australia. measures were mean minutes per week of moderate (M) and vigorous (V) intensity physical activity (PA), and number of days/week of muscle strength exercises.

RESULTS

The intervention had a significant effect on mean time for vigorous (p=0.008), moderate (p=0.023) and total physical activity (p=0.001) when compared to the control group. The intervention group increased their vigorous activity by a mean of 24min/week, moderate activity by 23min/week and total physical activity by 72min/week.

CONCLUSIONS

A relatively minimum home based intervention was able to demonstrate modest but statistically significant improvements in physical activity in a hard to reach group. These changes if maintained over a longer period are likely to improve the health of mothers and have a positive impact on their partners and children. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12609000735257.

The effect of physical exercise strategies on weight loss in postpartum women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

For women of reproductive age, excessive gestational weight gain and/or postpartum weight retention can increase the risk of obesity. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of lifestyle modification control trials that utilize exercise interventions, with or without dietary intervention, on weight loss among postpartum women. A search of randomized clinical trials (RCT) was performed using the follow databases and the bibliography of candidate studies: MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, CENTRAL/Cochrane and Physiotherapy Evidence Database. English language RCT papers published up to 31 October 2012, which present changes on maternal body weight from baseline to the end of exercise intervention were included. The primary meta-analysis examined the effects of exercise interventions, with or without complementary dietary intervention, on weight loss during the postpartum period compared with usual standard of care. Five subgroup analyses were performed to examine differences in study interventions and exercise modalities: duration of intervention, quality of study methodology, supervision of exercise intervention, exercise intervention goals used and the type of dietary intervention. In total 11 studies met eligibility criteria with 769 participants, 409 under intervention and 360 in the control group. The primary meta-analysis included all 11 studies and found a mean difference (MD) on weight loss of -2.57 kg (95% CI -3.66 to -1.47). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that the most effective interventions in reducing weight in postpartum women were exercise programs with objectively defined goals, such as the use of heart rate monitors or pedometer (MD of -4.09 kg-95% CI -4.94 to -3.25, I(2)=0%) and exercise combined with intensive dietary intervention (MD of -4.34 kg-95% CI -5.15 to -3.52, I(2)=0%). Thus, there is benefit from overall lifestyle interventions on weight loss in postpartum women and exercise plus intensive diet and objective targets are the most effective intervention strategies.

American rural women's exercise self-efficacy and awareness of exercise benefits and safety during pregnancy

Though the positive link between physical activity and maternal health is well documented, physical activity declines during pregnancy and, internationally, rural mothers are less likely than urban mothers to engage in physical activity. Some evidence suggests that self-efficacy is related to sustained engagement in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and knowledge of safe exercise among 88 rural pregnant women in a southeastern region of the United States. Exercise self-efficacy was significantly related to maternal age and gestation. Women over age 26 years, and those in the second and third trimesters, scored significantly higher than younger women or those in the first trimester. Fifty-two percent (n = 46) of participants perceived that activity would decrease energy levels, 37.5% (n = 33) did not know that exercise can decrease the risk of gestational diabetes, and 47.6% (n = 41) were unaware that a mother who is overweight is more likely to have an overweight child. Results confirm a need for education to improve women's knowledge about health benefits and safety information related to physical activity during pregnancy.

Postpartum Weight Self-Management: A Concept Analysis

Aim: The aim of this concept analysis is to create a clear definition and framework to guide weight self-management research and promotion of healthy weight self-management during the postpartum period. Background: A woman’s ability to manage her weight through the postpartum transition has lifelong implications for her weight status. Methods: This concept analysis was guided by Walker and Avant (2005). A broad search of sources was performed, yielding 56 articles in which postpartum weight self-management was the main focus. Results: From consideration of the attributes of postpartum weight self-management, a descriptive, situation-specific theory emerged: Postpartum weight self-management is a process by which the transition to motherhood is viewed by the woman as an opportunity to intentionally engage in healthy weight self-management behaviors by minimizing the salient inhibitors and maximizing the salient facilitators to action. Conclusion: This analysis provides a clarification of the process concept of postpartum weight self-management and its consequences, giving direction for measurement, clinical application, and further research. Future nursing interventions and research should be aimed at helping women to view the postpartum period as a normative transition in which they have the opportunity to take charge of their own health and the health of their family.

One year study on the integrative intervention of acupressure and interactive multimedia for visual health in school children

OBJECTIVE

This study used a larger sample size, added a long-term observation of the effect of intervention, and provided an integrated intervention of acupressure and interactive multimedia of visual health instruction for school children. The short- and long-term effects of the interventions were then evaluated by visual health knowledge, visual acuity, and refractive error.

DESIGN

A repeated pretest-posttest controlled trial was used with two experimental groups and one control group.

SETTING

Four elementary schools in northern Taiwan.

PARTICIPANTS

287 School children with visual impairment in fourth grade were recruited.

METHOD

One experimental group received the integrative intervention of acupressure and interactive multimedia of visual health instruction (ACIMU), and another received auricular acupressure (AC) alone; whereas a control group received no intervention. Two 10-week interventions were separately given in the fall and spring semesters. The short- and long-term effects of the interventions were then evaluated by visual health knowledge, visual acuity, and refractive error.

RESULTS

During the school year the visual health knowledge was significantly higher in the ACIMU group than the control group (p<0.001). A significant difference in the changing visual acuity was in the three groups (p<0.001), with the improvement in the ACIMU group. No difference in the refractive error was found between any two groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that a long-term period of acupressure is required to improve school children's visual health. School children receiving the intervention of acupressure combined with interactive multimedia had better improvement of visual health and related knowledge than others. Further study is suggested in which visual health and preventative needs can be established for early childhood.

Importance of Patient Culture and Exergaming Design for Clinical Populations: A Case Series on Exercise Adherence in Soldiers with Depression

OBJECTIVE

Exercise is an effective intervention for depressed individuals, but adherence is often poor. Exergaming may be useful for stimulating motivation and adherence with physical activity. This study piloted the use of the Nintendo(®) "Wii™ Fit" (Nintendo of America, Inc., Redwood City, CA) as part of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) for soldiers.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Male soldiers with depression (N=3) were treated in a military treatment facility using a case-controlled research design. Patients were loaned a "Wii Fit" during five of 10 CBT treatment sessions and asked to exercise at least 20 minutes/day.

RESULTS

Rates of compliance and minutes of exercise were no different during the periods with and without the "Wii Fit." All three patients reported a reduction in depression severity following treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important lessons learned for future studies of exergaming for patients with depression. Exergaming software is typically not designed for clinical populations, and certain characteristics of the game may decrease the likelihood of use. Researchers should consider the characteristics of various available exergaming platforms and select one that represents a clinical and cultural fit for their patient population.

Interventions for preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is associated with multiple maternal and neonatal complications. However, interventions to prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy have not been adequately evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy and associated pregnancy complications.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (20 October 2011) and MEDLINE (1966 to 20 October 2011).

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials of interventions for preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We assessed for inclusion all potential studies we identified as a result of the search strategy. At least two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We resolved discrepancies through discussion. We have presented results using risk ratio (RR) for categorical data and mean difference for continuous data. We analysed data using a fixed-effect model.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 28 studies involving 3976 women; 27 of these studies with 3964 women contributed data to the analyses. Interventions focused on a broad range of interventions. However, for most outcomes we could not combine data in a meta-analysis, and where we did pool data, no more than two or three studies could be combined for a particular intervention and outcome. Overall, results from this review were mainly not statistically significant, and where there did appear to be differences between intervention and control groups, results were not consistent. For women in general clinic populations one (behavioural counselling versus standard care) of three interventions examined was associated with a reduction in the rate of excessive weight gain (RR 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.54 to 0.95); for women in high-risk groups no intervention appeared to reduce excess weight gain. There were inconsistent results for mean weight gain (reported in all but one of the included studies). We found a statistically significant effect on mean weight gain for five interventions in the general population and for two interventions in high-risk groups.Most studies did not show statistically significant effects on maternal complications, and none reported significant effects on adverse neonatal outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is not enough evidence to recommend any intervention for preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy, due to the significant methodological limitations of included studies and the small observed effect sizes. More high-quality randomised controlled trials with adequate sample sizes are required to evaluate the effectiveness of potential interventions.

Effect of educational software on self-efficacy of pregnant women to cope with labor: a randomized controlled trial

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational software on self-efficacy of Iranian pregnant women to cope with labor.

METHODS

This study was a randomized controlled trial which was carried out on 150 Iranian nulliparous pregnant women randomly assigned to two groups of 75 women each. The control group routinely did not receive any kind of childbirth education and the intervention group only received the childbirth educational software for 6-8 weeks. In order to determine self-efficacy, the Childbirth Self Efficacy Questionnaire (CBSEI) was used which measures the outcome expectancy and the self-efficacy expectancy of the first and second stages of labor separately. This questionnaire was completed at 28-32-week gestation as a pre-test and at 36-38 weeks as a post-test by the participants. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests.

RESULTS

After the intervention, the median and mean of CBSEI scores for the intervention and the control groups were 607, 604/20 ± 16/630 and 394, 392/51 ± 16/758, respectively. There was a statistical difference between the two groups (p = 0.001). Also, statistically significant differences existed in the median of outcome expectancy and self-efficacy expectancy after intervention in both stages of labor between the two groups (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The educational software program significantly increased self-efficacy of Iranian pregnant women to cope with labor. Despite lack of educational childbirth classes in Iran, the use of this method is recommended. However, to find whether this technique can be substituted for the educational classes, further studies are needed.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy and is strongly related to subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes. The epidemics of obesity and diabetes and the increasing incidence of GDM in recent years highlight the importance of preventing GDM among women at high risk to avoid the associated short- and long-term adverse health outcomes for both mothers and their offspring. Indeed, women may be more likely to adopt healthy lifestyle habits during pregnancy and maintain these habits into the postpartum period. Although there is substantial evidence that targeting at-risk groups for type 2 diabetes prevention is effective if lifestyle changes are made, relatively little attention has been paid to the prevention of GDM. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review the scientific evidence regarding the association between modifiable risk factors and GDM; discuss how lifestyle interventions, including weight management through diet and exercise could be successful in reducing the risk for GDM; and provide recommendations for future lifestyle intervention programs with a focus on translation and dissemination of research findings.

An intervention study exploring the effects of providing older adult hip fracture patients with an information booklet in the early postoperative period

AIM

To determine whether the provision of an information booklet on mobilisation improves early mobility postsurgical repair of hip fracture.

BACKGROUND

Hip fracture among older people can have long-lasting consequences with the majority of patients failing to achieve their prefracture functional status. Early postoperative mobility may have a positive effect on long-term recovery. The importance of providing postoperative information on mobility has been highlighted. It is suggested that patients remain passive in their recovery when they do not understand the importance of mobilisation.

DESIGN

The study used a pretest-post-test design of two treatments and a usual care control group.

METHODS

Eighty-three adults postsurgical repair of hip fracture, aged 65 years and older, were recruited to the study. Participants were assigned to one of three groups, a usual care group, treatment group 1 (T(1)) usual care plus basic information booklet or treatment group 2 (T(2)) usual care plus detailed information booklet. Data collection three days postsurgery and prior to discharge included the Mini-Mental State Examination, a Demographic Questionnaire, the Elderly Mobility Scale and a Numerical Pain Scale.

RESULTS

Greatest improvements in Elderly Mobility Scale scores occurred in T(1), with least changes observed in T(2). Changes did not reach significance level (p=0·105).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study suggest that the provision of basic information is preferable and highlights a deficiency of education in usual care.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Hip fracture patients should be provided with an educational booklet containing basic information on mobility to promote optimal recovery.

Towards an Understanding of Change in Physical Activity from Pregnancy Through Postpartum

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper was to describe the rationale, data collection, and proposed analyses for examination of mediators of change in physical activity from pregnancy to postpartum among a cohort of pregnant women. METHOD: The Pregnancy Infection and Nutrition 3 (PIN3) Study enrolled 2006 pregnant women into the cohort from 2001 to 2005. All women lived in central North Carolina upon enrollment. Physical activity was assessed using a self-reported one week recall, measured twice during pregnancy and once each at 3- and 12-months postpartum. On a subset of women, one-week accelerometer measures were also collected during the two postpartum time periods. Potential mediators (intrapersonal, interpersonal, community) were collected during pregnancy and postpartum through interviews and take home questionnaires. RESULTS: To assess mediation of physical activity among our cohort, we will first describe change in physical activity and the mediators, as well as their associations, through pregnancy into the postpartum period. Following this, the product of coefficients approach will be applied to examine whether each measure had indirect effects on change in physical activity. Each individual level mediator will be examined one at a time and across the time points in which it was available. The Sobel standard error approximation formula will be used to test for significance of the mediation effect. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide evidence to develop appropriate interventions targeted at physical activity and will help focus efforts on the appropriate time periods between pregnancy and postpartum.

Physical activity beliefs, barriers, and enablers among postpartum women

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Physical activity during postpartum is both a recommended and an essential contributor to maternal health. Understanding the beliefs, barriers, and enablers regarding physical activity during the postpartum period can more effectively tailor physical activity interventions. The objective of this study was to document self-reported beliefs, barriers, and enablers to physical activity among a cohort of women queried at 3 and 12 months postpartum. Five questions about beliefs and two open-ended questions about their main barriers and enablers regarding physical activity and exercise were asked of 667 women at 3 months postpartum. Among the sample, 530 women answered the same questions about barriers and enablers to physical activity at 12 months postpartum.

RESULTS

Agreement on all five beliefs statements was high (>or=89%), indicating that women thought that exercise and physical activity were appropriate at 3 months postpartum, even if they continued to breastfeed. For the cohort, the most common barriers to physical activity at both 3 and 12 months postpartum were lack of time (47% and 51%, respectively) and issues with child care (26% and 22%, respectively). No barrier changed by more than 5% from 3 to 12 months postpartum. For the cohort, the most common enablers at 3 months postpartum were partner support (16%) and desire to feel better (14%). From 3 to 12 months postpartum, only one enabler changed by >5%; women reported baby reasons (e.g., baby older, healthier, not breastfeeding, more active) more often at 12 months than at 3 months postpartum (32% vs. 10%). Environmental/policy and organizational barriers and enablers were reported less often than intrapersonal or interpersonal barriers at both time points.

CONCLUSIONS

A number of barriers and enablers were identified for physical activity, most of which were consistent at 3 and 12 months postpartum. This study provides information to create more successful interventions to help women be physically active postpartum.

A comparison of diabetes learning with and without interactive multimedia to improve knowledge, control, and self-care among people with diabetes in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

Given the increased popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this study aimed to evaluate the effects of interactive media on self-directed learning in patients' knowledge of diabetes and related CAM/TCM strategies, the ability to control blood sugar levels, and self-care in people with diabetes.

DESIGN

An experimental study design was used. The experimental group received patient education through interactive multimedia about diabetes for 3 months, while the control group received a routine 3-month patient education.

SAMPLE

On completion, 60 subjects from Taiwan were evaluated-30 in an experimental group and 30 in a control group.

MEASUREMENTS

Data were collected from both groups at baseline and at the completion of the patient education. The findings were then compared to evaluate the effects of the intervention on the subjects' knowledge of diabetes, blood sugar control, and self-care.

RESULTS

The experimental group showed greater improvement in understanding diabetes than the control (t=3.29, p<.001). There was no significant difference in control of blood sugar levels (t=-1.72, p=.10) and self-care (F=1.03, p=.32).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of an interactive multimedia device to intervene in diabetes self-care was effective only in raising the subjects' knowledge about the disease. Additionally, the subjects may need more time to implement more effective blood sugar control and self-care activities after receiving instruction.