Physical activity and perinatal depression and anxiety: a global umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis
Background - Physical activity is increasingly recognized as a non-pharmacological intervention reducing the risk of perinatal depression and anxiety, but findings from previous meta-analyses are heterogeneous. This umbrella review synthesized evidence on the overall effects of physical activity on...
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| Auteurs principaux: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Langue: | anglais |
| Publié: |
August 2026
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| In: |
EClinicalMedicine
Year: 2026, Volume: 98, Pages: 1-12 |
| ISSN: | 2589-5370 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104054 |
| Accès en ligne: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104054 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258953702600307X 
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| Notes sur l'auteur: | Elizabeth Mohr, Helena Ludwig-Walz, Dawid Pieper, Regina Guthold, Mariebelle Kaus, Alexander Pachanov, and Martin Bujard |
| Résumé: | Background - Physical activity is increasingly recognized as a non-pharmacological intervention reducing the risk of perinatal depression and anxiety, but findings from previous meta-analyses are heterogeneous. This umbrella review synthesized evidence on the overall effects of physical activity on perinatal depression and anxiety in women, including by activity intensity and type. - Methods - We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Epistemonikos, DoPHER, CINAHL, Sports Medicine & Education Index for literature published between Jan 2014 and April 2026. Eligible systematic reviews assessed randomized controlled trials of the effect of physical activity interventions on perinatal depression and/or anxiety outcomes. Pairs of authors conducted data extraction, methodological quality (AMSTAR-2) and certainty of evidence (GRADE) assessments. Overlap between included systematic reviews was assessed using the corrected covered area. Random-effects meta-meta-analyses (a meta-analysis of meta-analyses) yielded standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). PROSPERO registry: CRD42024538941. - Findings - A total of 4109 studies were retrieved and 20 systematic reviews with meta-analyses were included. Overlap was 8.49%. Overall physical activity reduces depressive symptoms during the perinatal period with moderate certainty of evidence (SMD: −0.56; 95%-CI: −0.93 to −0.19). Light-intensity physical activity (SMD: −0.52; 95% CI: −0.81 to −0.23) may have effects comparable to those of moderate (SMD: −0.43; 95% CI: −0.64 to −0.22) and mixed-intensity (SMD: −0.52; 95% CI: −0.80 to −0.24) interventions. Yoga (SMD: −0.55; 95%-CI: −0.95 to −0.15) and mixed activity (SMD: −0.54; 95%-CI: −0.70 to −0.38) may be particularly beneficial. PA may also be effective in reducing anxiety (SMD: −0.85, 95%-CI: −1.29 to −0.42), though research is more limited. - Interpretation - Light and moderate physical activity are positively associated with a reduction in perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms in women. Physical activity should be recommended as a non-pharmacological, feasible, and cost-effective approach to address perinatal depression, and potentially anxiety, globally. - Funding - None. |
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| Description: | Gesehen am 27.08.2026 |
| Description matérielle: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2589-5370 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104054 |