Study | Country | Population | N | Intervention | Comparator | Outcomes | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armstrong 200322 | Queensland, Australia | Depressed population | 20 | Group exercise programme (pram walks) with social co-intervention 12 weeks | Phone support at 6 weeks post-randomisation | EPDS and DASS 6 and 12 weeks | Intervention group depression improved significantly compared with control |
Daley 200828 | Birmingham, UK | Sedentary population Depressed population | 38 | Exercise counselling 12 weeks | Usual care Exercise consultion of trial | EPDS 24 weeks | No significant difference in EPDS between groups |
Robichaud 200825 | Tennessee, US | Depressed population | 48 | Exercise programme (home-based walking) 6 weeks | Usual activity Intervention after trial | EPDS 8 weeks | No significant difference in EPDS between groups |
Da Costa 200923 | Montreal, Canada | Sedentary population Depressed population | 88 | Exercise counselling 12 weeks | Usual care | EPDS and 17-item HAM-D 3 and 6 months | No significant change in EPDS from baseline to follow-up |
Norman 201026 | Melbourne, Australia | General postpartum population | 161 | Group exercise programme with co-intervention (weekly educational session on postpartum issues) 8 weeks | Education on topics unrelated to diet or physical activity Booklet of exercises, list of gyms and community facilities | EPDS 8 and 12 weeks | Significant decrease in EPDS in intervention compared with comparator |
Huang 201124 | Northern Taiwan | Depressed population | 160 | Exercise counselling with dietary co-intervention Postpartum group: 6 months | ‘Standard care’ discussions with nurses and leaflets on unrelated topics | BDI 6 months | Significant increase in BDI in intervention and comparator groups |
Surkan 201227 | Northeast US | General postpartum population | 679 | Exercise counselling with dietary co-intervention 12 months | Usual WIC care: nutrition assessment, education, food vouchers | CES-D Mean follow-up 13.3 months (SD 3.7) | Modest decrease in CES-D in intervention compared with control. Difference was significant in fully adjusted analysis |
Haruna 201332 | Tokyo, Japan | General postpartum population | 110 | Group exercise programme 4 weeks | No details provided Intervention at end of trial | EPDS 2 and 4 months | No significant difference in EPDS between groups |
Thiruppathi 201430 | Nellore, India | General postpartum population | 45 | Group exercise programme 4 weeks | Healthcare education programme. Written materials on nutrition, baby care, posture | EPDS 12 weeks | Significant decrease in intervention group from baseline to follow-up. No significant change in comparator group |
Keller 201431 | A southwestern city, US | General postpartum population | 139 | Exercise counselling with group exercise (walking) and a co-intervention of ‘promotoras’ (peer support) 12 weeks | Attention control. Monthly newsletters and weekly phone calls on unrelated topics | EPDS 6 and 12 months | No significant difference between groups |
Lewis 201429 | Minnesota, US | General postpartum population | 130 | Exercise counselling 6 months | Counsellor delivered telephone sessions on stress management, sleep, nutrition | SCID-1 at 6 months only PHQ-9 EPDS at 6 months only | Significant decrease in PHQ-9 and EPDS in intervention compared with control |
Boath 201534 | Stoke-on-Trent, UK | Depressed population | 22 | Group exercise programme (pram walk or facility based) 12 weeks | One discussion about their goals for managing postpartum depression | EPDS 3 and 6 months | No significant difference in EPDS between groups |
Daley 201533 | Birmingham, UK | Depressed population | 94 | Exercise counselling 6 months | Usual care Leaflet on healthy postpartum lifestyle | EPDS 6 and 12 months | Decrease in EPDS in intervention versus comparator, only significant at 6 months not at 12 months |
BDI =The Beck Depression Inventory. CES-D = The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. DASS = The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. EPDS = The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. HAM-D = The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. PHQ-9 = The Patient Health Questionnaire-9. SCID = Structured Clinical Interview for DSM. SD = standard deviation. WIC = Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.