The impact of structured postnatal exercise program on salivary cortisol levels in postpartum women following caesarean section
Dasarapu Indrani, Shenbaga Sundaram Subramanian, Prathap Suganthirababu, Dubba NagaRaju, Surya Vishnuram, Jagatheesan Alagesan, Purna Chandra Shekhar, Rahul Shaik, K.Himabindu, Kiran Velukuri
Dasarapu Indrani, Shenbaga Sundaram Subramanian, Prathap Suganthirababu, Dubba NagaRaju, Surya Vishnuram, Jagatheesan Alagesan et al. – The impact of structured postnatal exercise program on salivary cortisol levels in postpartum women following caesarean section – Fizjoterapia Polska 2025; 25(3); 423-427
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56984/8ZG7D19P4A8
Abstract
Background. Elevated cortisol levels contribute to maternal stress and delayed recovery in the postpartum period, particularly following lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), which poses unique physiological and psychological challenges.
Objective. To evaluate the impact of a 12-week structured postnatal exercise program on salivary cortisol levels in postpartum women following LSCS.
Methods. Sixty postpartum women who had undergone LSCS were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). The experimental group received a physiotherapist-guided postnatal exercise program, progressing from breathing and mobility exercises to core stability training. Salivary cortisol levels were measured pre- and post-intervention. Secondary outcomes included core strength, exhaustion, and mental health.
Results. Post-intervention salivary cortisol levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (mean difference: 5.2607 nmol/L; 95% CI: 3.9917–6.5296; p < 0.0001), with the experimental group demonstrating significant improvements in secondary outcomes.
Conclusion. A structured postnatal exercise program effectively reduces salivary cortisol levels and enhances recovery after LSCS. These findings support the incorporation of physiotherapy-led exercise into routine postpartum care to reduce stress and improve maternal health outcomes.
Keywords
cortisol levels, postpartum, caesarean section, postnatal exercise, stress
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