A randomized trial examining a physical activity intervention for the prevention of postpartum depression: The healthy mom trial

Support for the effect of physical activity on postpartum depression is mixed. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a physical activity intervention for the prevention of postpartum depression. Women who were less than eight weeks postpartum (n = 130), had a history of depression or a maternal family history of depression, were not currently depressed, and were otherwise healthy were randomly assigned to a theory-based physical activity intervention or a wellness/support contact control condition. Both conditions were delivered over the telephone and lasted six months. Eight percent of the women in each condition met the diagnostic criteria for depression at six months based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Participants in the physical activity condition reported fewer depressive symptoms as measured by the PHQ-9 than the wellness/support condition at six months after controlling for baseline depressive symptoms. There were no differences in physical activity participation between the two conditions (128 min per week for the exercise condition and 122 min for the control condition based on an objective measure). A higher level of physical activity participation was related to fewer depressive symptoms regardless of study condition (p < .05). Participants in the exercise intervention did not report lower rates of depression relative to the wellness/support condition at six months. Women in the wellness/support condition exercised more than anticipated and therefore, additional research utilizing a true control group is needed.