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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Psychol.
Sec. Sport Psychology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1473710
This article is part of the Research Topic Towards a Psychophysiological Approach in Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports-Volume III View all 18 articles

Effects of an exercise intervention on maternal depression, anxiety, and fatigue: a systematic review and Meta-analysis

Provisionally accepted
Yu Haoran Yu Haoran 1Qinglei Mu Qinglei Mu 2*Xunjin Lv Xunjin Lv 2*Shuainan Chen Shuainan Chen 3*Hao He Hao He 4*
  • 1 Institute of Sports and Rehabilitation, Sichuan Tianyi University, Mianzhu, China
  • 2 Institute of Physical Education, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
  • 3 Institute of Physical Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China
  • 4 Institute of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Existing meta-analyses suggest that exercise intervention may play a crucial therapeutic role in improving maternal depression, anxiety and fatigue symptoms. However, the efficacy varies across different exercise content, duration, frequency, cycle, intensity, format and intervention period. Objective: Using meta-analysis to propose the best intervention program and examine the effect of exercise intervention on maternal depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI) were searched from inception to June 2024, a total of 37 literatures were included. The methodological quality of the included literatures was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the PEDro scale. When heterogeneity was high, we used random-effects models. Funnel plots were used to assess publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was used to verify the robustness of the combined results. Subgroup analysis was used to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results: Exercise has beneficial effects on the improvement of maternal depression[g=-0.71,95%CI(-0.93,-0.49),P=0.00], anxiety[g=-1.09,95%CI(-1.42,-0.76),P=0.00] and fatigue[g=-0.64,95%CI(-0.88,-0.40),P=0.00] symptoms. Postnatal interventions may be more effective than prenatal. Low-moderate intensity yoga with group + individual, 4-5times/week, 40-60min/time, duration 4-8weeks is most effective in improving depressive symptoms. Low-intensity yoga with group + individual, 4-5times/week, 40-60min/time, duration 4-8weeks is most effective for improving anxiety symptoms. Low-intensity Pilates with group, 1-2times/week, 40-60min/time, duration 4-8weeks is most effective for improving fatigue symptoms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates the positive effect of exercise on improving maternal depression, anxiety and fatigue and suggests the best intervention program. Maternal perceptions that postpartum exercise is safer may account for the better outcomes of postpartum intervention. Further higher quality and large-scale trials are needed to substantiate our findings.

    Keywords: Exercise Intervention, maternal, Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, Meta-analysis

    Received: 04 Aug 2024; Accepted: 31 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Haoran, Mu, Lv, Chen and He. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Qinglei Mu, Institute of Physical Education, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, Sichuan Province, China
    Xunjin Lv, Institute of Physical Education, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, Sichuan Province, China
    Shuainan Chen, Institute of Physical Education, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, 330022, Jiangxi Province, China
    Hao He, Institute of Physical Education, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, 130024, Jilin Province, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.