Summary of the effect of an exercise intervention on antenatal depression and the optimal program: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of exercise intervention for antenatal depression using meta-analysis and to propose the best exercise intervention program. METHODS: Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze 17 papers with 2224 subjects by setting five moderators, including type, time, frequency, period, and format of exercise intervention, and a random-effects model was used to test for overall effect, heterogeneity, and publication bias. RESULTS: (1) The effect size of the exercise intervention on antenatal depression was d = -0.56, which reached a good effect and was statistically significant; b (2) The effect size of the exercise type on antenatal depression was Yoga and a combination of aerobic exercise in order of intervention; (3) the single intervention duration of 10–75 min all had a good effect on antenatal depression, and 30–60 min had the best effect; (4) the intervention frequency of 3 to 5 times/week had the greatest amount of intervention effect on maternal depression; (5) exercise lasting 6–10 weeks had a good intervention effect on antepartum depression, and the amount of effect decreased gradually with the extension of time; (6) In terms of exercise format, the amount of intervention effect on maternal depression was in the order of group exercise, individual + group exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise intervention can significantly alleviate antenatal depression symptoms. The best exercise program for exercise intervention for antenatal depression is: Yoga and a combination of aerobic exercise intervention effects are more prominent, and the intervention effect of Yoga is the best. The use of group exercise 3–5 times per week for 30–60 min for 6–10 weeks was more likely to achieve the desired intervention effect of improving antenatal depression.