Optimizing exercise for perinatal depressive symptoms: A network meta-analysis of effective modalities and doses

IF 3.3 2区心理学 Q2 HOSPITALITY, LEISURE, SPORT & TOURISM

Psychology of Sport and Exercise Pub Date : 2025-08-25 DOI:10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102980

Jingyi Xie, Mingyuan Jin, Bin Wang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

While exercise is a promising strategy for alleviating perinatal depressive symptoms, its clinical potential remains unrealized due to ambiguity in optimal modalities and dosages, hindering targeted clinical prescription and the design of effective interventions. This study aimed to identify the most effective exercise type and dosage for reducing perinatal depressive symptoms severity.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating exercise for perinatal depressive symptoms were identified from four databases (from inception to November 2024). A comprehensive comparison of the effectiveness of various exercise modalities in alleviating perinatal depressive symptoms was conducted using a combination of network meta-analysis (NMA) and dose-response meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 46 RCTs involving 5719 participants were included. In the NMA, Pilates ranked highest for reducing perinatal depressive symptoms, showing a marked effect [SMD = −1.25, 95 % CrI: (−2.14, −0.364)]. Yoga, aerobic exercise, and flexibility training followed, also showing notable effects. The optimal dose for substantial benefits was identified as approximately 360 MET-min/week. This is practically equivalent to engaging in two 30-min sessions per week for a duration of 12 weeks.

Conclusions

Our findings conclude that exercise modalities like Pilates and yoga are highly effective for alleviating perinatal depressive symptoms when prescribed at an optimal dose of approximately 360 MET-min/week. This is practically achievable through two 30-min sessions weekly for 12 weeks. These findings provide clinicians with actionable, evidence-based guidance for prescribing exercise to this population. Future research should prioritize head-to-head trials comparing leading modalities, such as Pilates and yoga, to further refine therapeutic guidelines.

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围产期抑郁症状优化运动：有效方式和剂量的网络荟萃分析

虽然运动是缓解围产期抑郁症状的一种有希望的策略，但由于最佳方式和剂量的不确定性，其临床潜力尚未实现，阻碍了有针对性的临床处方和有效干预措施的设计。本研究旨在确定最有效的运动类型和剂量，以减轻围产期抑郁症状的严重程度。方法从四个数据库（从建立到2024年11月）中筛选评估运动对围产期抑郁症状的随机对照试验（rct）。采用网络荟萃分析（NMA）和剂量反应荟萃分析相结合的方法，对不同运动方式缓解围产期抑郁症状的有效性进行了全面比较。结果共纳入46项随机对照试验，受试者5719人。在NMA中，普拉提在减少围产期抑郁症状方面排名最高，效果显著[SMD = - 1.25, 95% CrI:(- 2.14, - 0.364)]。瑜伽、有氧运动和柔韧性训练也显示出显著的效果。获得实质性益处的最佳剂量被确定为约360 MET-min/周。这实际上相当于每周进行两次30分钟的训练，持续12周。结论我们的研究结果表明，当处方的最佳剂量约为360 MET-min/周时，普拉提和瑜伽等运动方式对缓解围产期抑郁症状非常有效。这实际上是可以通过每周两次30分钟的锻炼来实现的，持续12周。这些发现为临床医生开具运动处方提供了可行的、基于证据的指导。未来的研究应该优先考虑比较主要方式的正面试验，如普拉提和瑜伽，以进一步完善治疗指南。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Psychology of Sport and Exercise 医学-心理学

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

5.90%

发文量

172

审稿时长

69 days

期刊介绍： Psychology of Sport and Exercise is an international forum for scholarly reports in the psychology of sport and exercise, broadly defined. The journal is open to the use of diverse methodological approaches. Manuscripts that will be considered for publication will present results from high quality empirical research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, commentaries concerning already published PSE papers or topics of general interest for PSE readers, protocol papers for trials, and reports of professional practice (which will need to demonstrate academic rigour and go beyond mere description). The CONSORT guidelines consort-statement need to be followed for protocol papers for trials; authors should present a flow diagramme and attach with their cover letter the CONSORT checklist. For meta-analysis, the PRISMA prisma-statement guidelines should be followed; authors should present a flow diagramme and attach with their cover letter the PRISMA checklist. For systematic reviews it is recommended that the PRISMA guidelines are followed, although it is not compulsory. Authors interested in submitting replications of published studies need to contact the Editors-in-Chief before they start their replication. We are not interested in manuscripts that aim to test the psychometric properties of an existing scale from English to another language, unless new validation methods are used which address previously unanswered research questions.