Effects of Online Pilates Training on Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Detailed Summary

Studies show that pregnant women reduce their physical activity levels during pregnancy. The pandemic process causes the physical activities of pregnant women to decrease even more and causes a number of problems. This study aims to reveal effect of online Pilates exercises with a physiotherapist during the pandemic conducted on depression, anxiety and fear of childbirth levels of pregnant women. A total of 50 volunteer pregnant women, 26 online pilates group (OPG) and 24 control group (CG), who met the inclusion criteria of the study, were included in our study randomly. The OPG was given online Pilates exercises by the physiotherapist in groups 2 days a week for 8 weeks, 1 h a day. The CG was given a home program consisting of relaxation and breathing exercises. Depression levels; with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, anxiety; with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, fear of childbirth; with the Wijma Birth Expectation/Experience Scale version B were evaluated before and after the study by using the online questionnaire form filling method. As a result of the online pilates training, there was an improvement in the all test scores (p\<0.05), while no change was observed in the control group (p\>0.05). In the light of these results, 8-week online pilates training applied to gain a healthy habit during the pandemic process and increase physical activity levels of the pregnant women has been concluded to be effective in reducing the levels of depression, anxiety and fear of childbirth.

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