Taousani Eleftheria, Savvaki Dimitra, Grammatikopoulou Maria G, Mintziori Gesthimani, Theodoridou Anatoli, Koukou Zoi, Goulis Dimitrios G
Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexander Campus, Sindos, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Hormones (Athens). 2025 Mar;24(1):33-39. doi: 10.1007/s42000-024-00605-3. Epub 2024 Nov 6.
Anxiety is a common mental health issue during pregnancy. Moreover, women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) seem to have to cope with higher levels of anxiety, being at higher risk for several health and mental complications. Women with GDM are recommended to undertake regular physical exercise to improve metabolic and reproductive outcomes. However, there are no specific guidelines for exercise in women with GDM and data on its relationship with mental health are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise on anxiety symptoms in pregnant women with GDM.
The present non-randomized, open-label clinical trial was a pilot study intended to provide initial data on the effect of exercise on anxiety symptoms of pregnant women with GDM. Forty-three women were assigned to three the following three study groups, (a) Advice Group (n = 17), Walking Group (n = 14), and Mixed Exercise Group (n = 12), from GDM diagnosis to delivery.
Based on the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores, all groups showed normal anxiety changes or mild anxiety levels pre- and post-intervention, ranging between 9.00 (1.00-32.00) (pre-intervention) and 7.5 (1.00-26.00) (post-intervention), but none experienced severe anxiety.
In the present study, a trend of self-selected pace walking to reduce the BAI scores was identified since the Walking Groups had lower scores after the intervention. However, this trend did not reach statistical significance. Brisk walking (30-45 min) three times per week may produce positive changes in both the treatment plan and the anxiety state of women with GDM. Moreover, the study confirms that routine medical care, counseling, and support by an interdisciplinary team are protective against anxiety in women with GDM.
焦虑是孕期常见的心理健康问题。此外，妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）女性似乎要应对更高水平的焦虑，面临多种健康和心理并发症的风险也更高。建议患有GDM的女性进行定期体育锻炼，以改善代谢和生殖结局。然而，对于患有GDM的女性，尚无具体的运动指南，且关于其与心理健康关系的数据也很稀少。本研究的目的是调查运动对患有GDM的孕妇焦虑症状的影响。
本项非随机、开放标签的临床试验是一项试点研究，旨在提供运动对患有GDM的孕妇焦虑症状影响的初步数据。从GDM诊断到分娩，43名女性被分为以下三个研究组：（a）建议组（n = 17）、步行组（n = 14）和混合运动组（n = 12）。
根据贝克焦虑量表（BAI）评分，所有组在干预前后均显示出正常的焦虑变化或轻度焦虑水平，范围在9.00（1.00 - 32.00）（干预前）和7.5（1.00 - 26.00）（干预后）之间，但均未出现严重焦虑。
在本研究中，由于步行组在干预后得分较低，因此发现了一种自我选择速度步行以降低BAI评分的趋势。然而，这种趋势未达到统计学意义。每周三次快走（30 - 45分钟）可能会对患有GDM的女性的治疗方案和焦虑状态产生积极影响。此外，该研究证实，跨学科团队的常规医疗护理、咨询和支持可预防患有GDM的女性出现焦虑。
