RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Does aerobic exercise reduce postpartum depressive symptoms? a systematic review and meta-analysis JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP e684 OP e691 DO 10.3399/bjgp17X692525 VO 67 IS 663 A1 Ruth Victoria Pritchett A1 Amanda J Daley A1 Kate Jolly YR 2017 UL http://bjgp.org/content/67/663/e684.abstract AB 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.