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Does aerobic exercise reduce postpartum depressive symptoms? a systematic review and meta-analysis
Identifier
027725
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Br J Gen Pract. 2017 Oct;67(663):e684-e691. doi: 10.3399/bjgp17X692525. Epub 2017 Aug 30.
Does aerobic exercise reduce postpartum depressive symptoms? a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Pritchett RV1, Daley AJ1, Jolly K2.
Author information
1
Institute of Applied Health Research; the Murray Learning Centre.
2
Institute of Applied Health Research, Public Health Building, University of Birmingham, Birmingham.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
There is currently no specific guidance on the role of exercise in managing postpartum depression in the UK and US, and international guidance is inconsistent.
AIM:
To assess the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on postpartum depressive symptoms.
DESIGN AND SETTING:
Systematic review and meta-analysis. There was no restriction to study site or setting.
METHOD:
The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform were searched. Titles and abstracts, then full-text articles, were screened against inclusion criteria: RCTs measuring depressive symptoms in mothers ≤1 year postpartum; and interventions designed to increase aerobic exercise compared with usual care or other comparators. Included studies were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was conducted. Pre-planned subgroup analyses explored heterogeneity.
RESULTS:
Thirteen RCTs were included, with 1734 eligible participants. Exercise significantly reduced depressive symptoms when all trials were combined (standardised mean difference -0.44; 95% confidence interval = -0.75 to -0.12). Exploration of heterogeneity did not find significant differences in effect size between women with possible depression and in general postpartum populations; exercise only and exercise with co-interventions; and group exercise and exercise counselling.
CONCLUSION:
This systematic review provides support for the effectiveness of exercise in reducing postpartum depressive symptoms. Group exercise, participant-chosen exercise, and exercise with co-interventions all may be effective interventions. These results should be interpreted with caution because of substantial heterogeneity and risk of bias.
© British Journal of General Practice 2017.
KEYWORDS:
depression; depression, postpartum; exercise; postnatal; review, systematic
PMID:
28855163
PMCID:
PMC5604832
DOI:
10.3399/bjgp17X692525