Effects of goal-oriented nursing intervention on postpartum depression

This retrospective study aimed to explore the effects of goal-oriented nursing intervention (GONI) on postpartum depression (PPD). We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 72 women with PPD. They were allocated to a treatment group (n = 36, exercise plus GONI) or a control group (n = 36, exercise). Patients in both groups received a total of 3 months of treatment. Outcomes included the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17) total score, HAMD-17 response rate (≥50% score reduction), HAMD-17 remission rate (score ≤ 7), and adverse events. Outcomes were analyzed before and after 3-month of treatment. After treatment, patients in the treatment group achieved more effective outcomes in the HADM-17 total score (P < .01), HADM-17 response rate (P < .01), HADM-17 remission rate (P < .01) than those in the control group. Regarding safety, the medical records of both the groups did not report any adverse events. The results of this study showed that GONI and exercise had more effects in patients with PPD. Further prospective studies are required to validate our findings.