Recognizing that exercise has antidepressant effects, British researchers Amanda J. Daley, PhD, Christine MacArthur, PhD, and Heather Winter, MD, reviewed medical literature for studies that focused on exercise and postpartum depression. They found two small randomized controlled trials, conducted in Australia, and some uncontrolled studies and observational evidence. Exercise in these trials consisted of pram walking--taking a walk while pushing the baby in a stroller or baby carriage.
A 2003 randomized controlled pilot trial by K. Armstrong and H. Edwards evaluated a 12-week program that involved group pram walking three times per week and social support once a week (Int J Ment Health Nurs....
This is a preview. Get the full text through your school or public library.