Exercise is effective in reducing postpartum depressive symptoms

Postpartum depression affects, according to various estimates, between 10% and 20% of women. A team of researchers has led an exhaustive analysis of international systematic reviews assessing the effectiveness of different forms of physical activity to prevent or treat symptoms of postpartum depression, one of the most common and least visible complications of the perinatal period. The study, published in the Healthcare journal, gathers evidence from eight databases and synthesizes the results of seven meta-analyses on physical exercise in women after childbirth.

The study, involving experts from the University of Seville, Loyola University Andalusia, and the Seville Biomedicine Institute (IBiS), concludes that there are consistent benefits for interventions based on aerobic exercise, yoga, walking, or multimodal programs that combine different routines. On the other hand, aquatic exercise showed no significant differences compared to control groups, although it was only addressed in one review.

“Physical exercise can be an effective tool to reduce depressive symptoms in the postpartum period, but more detailed studies are needed to translate this evidence into clinical practice,” the researchers explain in their work. They also warn about the terms used in the analyzed studies. Under the umbrella of “aerobic exercise,” activities as diverse as yoga or stretching are sometimes included, which can lead to confusion. Despite these limitations, the data suggest that walking, even without a formal structure, and performing yoga or postnatal aerobic routines can have a positive impact on the mental health of new mothers.