Title of article :
The Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on the Intensity of Postpartum Blues Among Primiparous Females: A Double-blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial
Author/Authors :
Nikoomazhab, Soghra Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Abedi, Parvin Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Honarmandpour, Azam Department of Midwifery - Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar , Haghdoust, Mohammad Reza Department of Psychiatry - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz
Abstract :
Background: The most vulnerable time to develop mood disorders such as sadness, depression, and psychosis is the postpartum
period. Postpartum blues is the most common mood disorder and can endanger the relationships between mother, child, and
family, and in case of lack of appropriate treatment can cause irreparable damages.
Objectives: The current study aimed at investigating the effect of evening primrose oil on the intensity of postpartum blues among
primiparous females.
Methods: The current double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted from December 2012 to November 2013
on 132 primigravida females referred to health centers of Ahvaz, Iran. They were randomly divided into two groups of 66 to receive
a daily dose of 1 g of evening primrose oil capsules (intervention group) or similar placebo capsules (control group) from the beginning
of the 37 weeks of pregnancy up to 2-weeks postpartum. Females in both groups were asked to complete the Edinburg
questionnaire on the days 4, 10, and 14 postpartum. Data were analyzed using the t-test, Chi-square test, and repeated measures, and
P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Therewasa statistically significant difference (P=0.0001) between thetwogroups regarding the severity of the postpartum
blues (the severity in the intervention group was less than that of the placebo group, P = 0.0001). The score of Edinburgh questionnaire
was significantly less in the intervention group compared with that of the control group on the days 4, 10 (P = 0.0001), and
14of postpartum (P = 0.01) (P = 0.014). The averages of Edinburgh score in the intervention group was significantly less compared
with those of the control group on the days 4 (10.5 0.57 vs. 13.3 3.28; P = 0.0001), 10 (11.2 1.22 vs. 14.9 3.6; P = 0.001), and 14
postpartum (11.71.3 vs. 13.052.6; P = 0.08).
Conclusions: The use of evening primrose oil effectively reduced the severity of postpartum blues.
Keywords :
Blues , Depression , Disorder , Evening Primrose , Female , Mood , Oil , Postpartum
Journal title :
Astroparticle Physics
