Physical activity can significantly lower postpartum depression: Frontiers

In a recent study by Mengqi Yuan and peers, physical activity (PA) was indicated as a possible strategy to lower the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD). The findings of this study were published in Frontiers in Psychiatry.

Although it is believed that physical exercise is a beneficial preventative measure for postpartum depression, there is currently insufficient data to establish a dose-response association. In order to evaluate the preventive benefits of PA on PPD and establish a potential dose-response connection between them, this meta-analysis was carried out.

For this study, from 1968 to May 2022, Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were all searched. Only prospective studies and randomized control trials (RCTs) were taken into account, and the PICOS tool was utilized to find appropriate papers depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval were used to represent effect-size estimates (CI). 

The key findings of this review were:

1. 23 research in all, comprising 14 RCTs and 9 prospective cohort studies, were qualified.

2. A statistically significant favorable correlation between PA and PPD prevention was found overall by the research.

3. Studies done in Europe showed a strong link between PA and lowered PPD risk, according to subgroup analysis.

4. Regarding PA type, sports participation was linked to a reduction in PPD symptoms, whereas work and home duties increased the risk of PPD.

5. This examination of the dose-response relationship between rising PA duration and the incidence of PPD showed a reverse J-shaped pattern.

In conclusion, even though there was no statistically significant finding in this meta-analysis, PA was identified as a possibly helpful intervention to lower the risk of PPD. A longer PA duration was associated with a lower risk of PPD, according to a dose-response study of PA and PPD risk. Additionally, 90 minutes of PA five days a week might significantly lower the risk of PPD.

Reference:

Yuan, M., Chen, H., Chen, D., Wan, D., Luo, F., Zhang, C., Nan, Y., Bi, X., & Liang, J. (2022). Effect of physical activity on prevention of postpartum depression: A dose-response meta-analysis of 186,412 women. In Frontiers in Psychiatry (Vol. 13). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.984677