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Depression (Mood disorder)

Exercise Interventions Show Promise in Reducing Depressive Symptoms in Menopausal Women

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Exercise has been identified as a promising non-pharmacological strategy for alleviating depression in menopausal women. A recent meta-analysis of randomized trials found that exercise interventions were associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, with the magnitude of benefit varying by intervention characteristics. The research suggests that personalized, phase-specific exercise prescriptions may be an effective way to reduce depressive symptoms in menopausal women.

Key Takeaways:

  • A meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that exercise interventions were associated with a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in menopausal women (SMD=-1.04, 95% CI: -1.46 to -0.63, p < .05).
  • Exercise interventions during the perimenopausal stage produced greater effects (SMD=-1.27, 95% CI: -1.82 to -0.72, p < .05).
  • The research suggests that personalized, phase-specific exercise prescriptions may be an effective way to reduce depressive symptoms in menopausal women.
  • Subgroup analyses found that exercise format (individual vs. group), exercise type, session length, total intervention duration, and menopausal stage influenced outcomes.
  • Sensitivity analysis and Egger's test found no significant publication bias (p = 0.441), and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings.

Statistics:

  • Exercise interventions reduced depressive symptoms by 1.04 standard mean differences (SMD) (95% CI: -1.46 to -0.63, p < .05).
  • Exercise interventions during the perimenopausal stage produced a 1.27 SMD reduction in depressive symptoms (95% CI: -1.82 to -0.72, p < .05).
  • 16 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis.
  • 12-week exercise interventions were found to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms.

Sources:

  • Exercise as a therapeutic strategy for depression in menopausal women: a metaanalysis of randomized trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2025;16:1641082.
  • CRD4 (identifier)
  • Frontiers in Psychiatry can be contacted at: Frontiers Media Sa, Avenue Du Tribunal Federal 34, Lausanne, Ch-1015, Switzerland.
  • Yan Dou, Dept. of Sports Training, Hebei Sport University, Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China.

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