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Cited by 65Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumPhysical Activity and HealthMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Physical activity before and during pregnancy and maternal mental health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Cai, Chenxi, Busch, Stephen, Wang, Rachel, Sivak, Allison, Davenport, Margie H.·2022·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.143
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Abstract

Objective To examine the influence of physical activity before and during pregnancy on maternal mental health outcomes.Methods Ten electronic databases were searched up to May 11, 2021. Studies of all observational designs (except case studies and reviews) were included, which contained information on the relevant population (women before and or during pregnancy), exposures (objective or subjective measures of physical activity), comparator (low or no physical activity), and outcomes (diagnosis and symptom severity of depression or anxiety, quality of life scores, stress and emotions).Results Forty-four observational studies (N = 132,399) were included. 'Low' to 'very low' certainty evidence revealed that compared with low levels of PA during pregnancy, high levels of PA were associated with a reduced odds of developing prenatal depression (odds ratio (OR): 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.58 to 0.80) and anxiety (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54 to 0.83). We also found a reduction in the severity of prenatal depressive symptoms (standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.37, 95% CI -0.57 to -0.17), prenatal anxiety symptoms (SMD: -0.45, 95% CI -0.64 to -0.27), and prenatal stress (SMD: -0.33, 95% CI -0.55 to -0.11), concurrent with improved quality of life (SMD: 0.38, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.54). PA before pregnancy did not impact the outcomes of interest.Conclusion Physical activity during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in the odds and severity of prenatal depression and anxiety, as well as reduced stress and improved quality of life. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020208469.

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  • Improving physical and emotional health while pregnant will help resume demanding daily activity in the postpartum period, and improve the quality of life for those who are hospitalized and activity-restricted.

    “Overall, improving physical and emotional health while pregnant will help resume demanding daily activity in the postpartum period, and improve the quality of life for those who are hospitalized and activity-restricted [52,53].”

    From Activity Restriction and Hospitalization in Pregnancy: Can Bed-Rest Exercise Prevent Deconditioning? A Narrative Review (2023) · cites this paper as [53]

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Authors
Cai, C., Busch, S., Wang, R., Sivak, A., & Davenport, M. H.
Affiliations
  • Xiamen University (CN)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
Corresponding author
Cai, Chenxi
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2022-07
Volume
309
Pages
393-403
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.143
OpenAlex
W4225160948
Cited by
65
References
103
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3
FWCI
2.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
physical activity, pregnancy, maternal mental health, antenatal depression, prenatal anxiety, prenatal stress, quality of life, pre-pregnancy physical activity
MeSH terms
Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Female, Humans, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Quality of Life, Exercise

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