None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Exercise is known to support mental well-being during and after pregnancy as well as in times of grief. However, there is very little research on how exercise may support individuals after pregnancy loss. This study will explore the safety and feasibility of a personalised, in-person exercise program aiming to support the mental and physical health of bereaved parents in Australia. Twenty parents who have recently experienced stillbirth will be invited to take part in a 10-week program run by an accredited exercise professional, combining physical activity with education and peer support. The aim of this research is to better understand how exercise and connection with others can help to improve emotional well-being and reduce isolation after pregnancy loss, and to address critical gaps in current research and practice.
Interventions
The intervention will consist of weekly one-hour sessions over 10 weeks that integrate both exercise and education. Adherence will be monitored using an attendance checklist. Each group will comprise three to five participants, with gestational-parent groups conducted separately from non-gestational parent groups to ensure relevance and sensitivity to participant experiences. The group format has been deliberately chosen to foster social support, which is known to play a significant role in bere
The intervention will consist of weekly one-hour sessions over 10 weeks that integrate both exercise and education. Adherence will be monitored using an attendance checklist. Each group will comprise three to five participants, with gestational-parent groups conducted separately from non-gestational parent groups to ensure relevance and sensitivity to participant experiences. The group format has been deliberately chosen to foster social support, which is known to play a significant role in bereavement, particularly when shared among individuals with similar experiences (Cacciatore et al., 2021). Education will be delivered informally and guided by participant engagement and discussion. Topics will include the role of exercise in mood and emotional wellbeing, strategies for managing sleep and fatigue, recovery following pregnancy, mindfulness, conception after loss, and body neutrality. Approximately fifteen minutes of each session will be dedicated to education, with the remaining forty-five minutes focused on exercise. The educational content will be developed by the research team, including exercise physiologist, exercise scientist and a midwife who have expertise working in/research in these areas. The exercise component will involve low to moderate-intensity cardiovascular (low-moderate intensity use of bikes, treadmills) and resistance training (core, pelvis floor training, and body weight exercises). We will record intensity using the Borg scale. Sessions will be prescribed by a senior exercise physiologist and overseen by a midwife who is part of the research team. Delivery will be facilitated by an exercise scientist and an exercise physiologist. The exercise component will involve low to moderate-intensity cardiovascular and resistance training. Participants will be offered options to adjust intensity according to their individual needs and preferences, with progression tailored to symptoms and tolerance. The program is designed to gradually build towards a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate or 90 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week, in line with established health guidelines (Australian Government, 2021). References Australian Government. (2021) For pregnancy, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/physical-activity-and-exercise/pregnancy Cacciatore, J., Thieleman, K., Fretts, R., & Jackson, L. B. (2021). What is good grief support? Exploring the actors and actions in social support after traumatic grief. PloS One, 16(5), e0252324. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252324
Sponsors
The University of Syndey
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria participants must have experienced an early pregnancy loss, neonatal death, or stillbirth within the last two to eight weeks, and may be either gestational or non-gestational parent.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria apply to individuals who report increased lochia with moderate exercise, pain associated with perineal tears or surgical sites during activity, or the presence of an acute infection. Individuals will also be excluded if they have any contraindication to exercise, as according to the APSS screening tool (Exercise and Sport Science, 2021). Reference Exercise & Sports Science Australia, Fitness Australia, Sports Medicine Australia, & Exercise is Medicine. (2021). Adult pre-exercise screening system (APSS): User guide. https://www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/assets/pdf/Adult-Pre-Screening-Tool-2021.pdf
Outcome results
None listed