Abstract

Background: This study aims to assess the efficacy of breathing exercises and Jacobson’s relaxation technique in treating postnatal depression. The study included 60 primiparas. Postpartum is the period for the new mothers to experience different kind of emotions at the same time. Various factors, like lack of attention and sleep, cultural belief, age of marriage, economic status, partner support, and other factors, will affect new mother and can lead her into a postpartum depressive state. Subjects and methods: This study was conducted among 60 primipara population at Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam, Kancheepuram. New mother’s details such as personal, medical and socioeconomic history were collected before taking Edinburg postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Mothers who scored in range of 14 to19 according to Edinburgh postnatal depression Scale are included in this study. Participants are divided into two groups: the conventional group and the experimental group, each group has 30 participants and they underwent deep breathing exercises and Jacobson’s relaxation exercises for 2 weeks, respectively. After 2 weeks of training, participants were evaluated on the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale and compared before and after treatment. Results: Postnatal depression showed a notable increase in improvement within the conventional group, which was 10% higher compared to the experimental group. As per the statistical analysis, the conventional group has a significant improvement over the experimental group. Conclusion: This study reveals that deep breathing exercise is more effective than Jacobson’s progressive relaxation exercise to treat postnatal depression in hospitalized primipara.

Keywords

postpartum depression, Jacobson’s progressive muscle relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale