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John Edwards, DC, DACCP, Allison Union, BS, Joel Alcantara, DC, PhD
Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health, Chiropractic ~ June 10, 2025 ~ Volume 2025 ~ Pages 45-57
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Abstract
Objective: To determine the quality of life (QoL) of women in the prenatal and postpartum period while under chiropractic care.
Methodology: A 5-year retrospective file review was performed of patient files of women in the perinatal period in a single chiropractor practice. In addition to patient socio-demographic information (i.e., age and educational level) and clinical information (i.e., parity, weeks of gestation, number of visits), responses to the EPDS and PROMIS-29 data in the prenatal (T1) and postpartum (T2) periods were obtained. Statistical analysis utilized descriptive statistics, paired t-test, Pearson’s r and multiple regression analysis.
Results: A total of 33 patient files were reviewed. The mean age of the women was 30.15 years. At T1, the women were at a mean of 41.21 weeks of gestation and attended a mean of 17.70 visits. At T2, the women attended a mean of 21.12 visits and were 10.48 mean days postpartum. Although the mean EPDS scores did not differ in a statistically and clinically significant manner, possible or probable depression was identified in 4 and 3 women at T1 and T2, respectively. In terms of other QoL domains, the physical health domains changed from T1 to T2 in a statistically and clinically significant manner indicating compromised physical health. The correlational patterns between the QoL domains and clinical variables differed at T1 and at T2 indicating that the QoL of pregnant women is a dynamic process. Multiple regression analysis revealed anxiety as predictive of EPDS at T1 while age, parity, anxiety and fatigue were predictive of EPDS at T2.
Conclusion: The QoL of women in the perinatal period is a dynamic process with compromised physical health from the prenatal to the postpartum period. We encourage continued surveillance of the QoL of pregnant women under chiropractic care.
Keywords: EPDS, PROMIS, chiropractic, pregnancy, depression
