Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Julie Solberg

Keywords

postpartum depression, postnatal depression, physical activity, exercise, prevention, treatment, depressive symptoms

Abstract

Postpartum depression is a prevalent issue affecting women following pregnancy. Symptoms not only have a significant effect on the health of the mother but also affect their ability to care for their child. Current prevention methods focus mainly on screening at routine visits, whereas treatment often includes psychotherapy and/or antidepressants. Although exercise has been shown to have benefits to the physical health of pregnant women, the benefits to mental health are not yet established. This literature review aims to explore the effectiveness of exercise for the prevention and treatment of postpartum depression. The electronic databases PubMed and ClinicalKey were searched from April to July 2025, and eight studies were chosen for this review. All of the studies chosen were randomized controlled trials published within the past twelve years. The review of the literature suggests that exercise is an effective method for preventing and treating postpartum depression symptoms. Providing this education to perinatal women in clinical practice shows promise in reducing the prevalence of this condition. However, further research is needed to establish which types and durations of physical activity are most beneficial to patients.

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