Clinical Pilates and Prenatal Education on Perinatal Depressive Symptoms

NCT07647809 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: GOP-CPE-PE-20212018/27
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 85
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluated whether a combined program of supervised Clinical Pilates Exercise and structured Prenatal Education, added to routine antenatal care, reduces perinatal depressive symptoms compared with routine antenatal care alone in nulliparous pregnant women. Secondary aims were to assess effects on pregnancy-related low back pain, labor pain, and obstetric outcomes. Allocation to the two groups was based on participants' availability to attend the program rather than on randomization; the study is therefore a non-randomized (quasi-experimental) controlled study.

Conditions

Postpartum Depression; Pregnancy Related; Low Back Pain; Labor Pain

Keywords

clinical pilates; prenatal education; perinatal depression; EPDS; antenatal exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score

  Self-reported depressive symptoms measured with the 10-item EPDS (total score 0-30; higher scores indicate more depressive symptoms; \>=13 indicates clinically relevant symptoms).

  Baseline (16-28 weeks of gestation), 32 weeks of gestation, and 6 months postpartum

• Low back pain

  Presence and severity of pregnancy-related low back pain measured with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10).

  Baseline and 32 weeks of gestation

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Labor pain (VAS)

  During labor / delivery

Study Arms (2)

Clinical Pilates Exercise + Prenatal Education

EXPERIMENTAL

Supervised Clinical Pilates Exercise (two 60-minute moderate-intensity sessions per week, Borg 12-14, until 32 weeks of gestation; home-based thereafter with modifications) plus a structured Prenatal Education program of four weekly sessions, in addition to routine antenatal care

Behavioral: Clinical Pilates Exercise; Behavioral: Prenatal Education

Routine Antenatal Care

NO INTERVENTION

Routine antenatal care only, including regular obstetric examinations, basic prenatal education, nutritional counseling, and management of common pregnancy-related complaints. No structured exercise or additional psychological support was provided.

Interventions

Clinical Pilates Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Supervised, moderate-intensity (Borg 12-14) clinical Pilates program emphasizing core stabilization, controlled breathing, and postural alignment; two 60-minute sessions per week until 32 weeks of ges

Clinical Pilates Exercise + Prenatal Education

Prenatal Education BEHAVIORAL

Structured prenatal education delivered in four weekly sessions covering pregnancy physiology, labor and birth preparation, coping strategies, and newborn/postpartum care, structured per ACOG recommendations.' \- Arm/Group: 'Clinical Pilates Exercise + Prenatal Education

Clinical Pilates Exercise + Prenatal Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Nulliparous
• Singleton pregnancy
• Gestational age 16-28 weeks at enrollment
• Age 18-35 years
• Pre-pregnancy body mass index \< 30 kg/m2

You may not qualify if:

• Multiple pregnancy
• Systemic disease, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disorders

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gaziosmanpasa Research and Education Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Etlik Zübeyde Hanım Women's Health Training and Research Hospital

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depression, Postpartum; Low Back Pain; Labor Pain

Interventions

Prenatal Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Puerperal Disorders; Pregnancy Complications; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Urogenital Diseases; Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Patient Education as Topic; Health Education; Preventive Health Services; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Specialist / Op. Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 10, 2026
• First Posted: June 15, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: June 10, 2022
• Study Completion: June 30, 2022
• Last Updated: June 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

TU (1)