Abstract - Effects of Chinese traditional exercises on depression in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis
Background. Chinese traditional exercise (CTE) is showing promise in the treatment of depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, yet its overall effectiveness has not been evaluated based on existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Problem and aim. To systematically evaluate the effects of CTE on depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Material and methods. Databases including China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, PubMed, Web of Science, and Springer ebook were searched to identify randomized controlled trial studies regarding the effects of CTE (including Taichi, Baduanjin, Yijinjing, and Qigong) on depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
The search time frame was from the inception of each database to September 2022.
Results. A total of 19 randomized controlled trials was included with 608 subjects for treatment and 594 for control. The pooled results showed that CTE significantly reduced depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (p = 0.0001).
The subgroup analyses revealed significant effects of Taichi and Baduanjin on depressive symptoms (p < 0.05), while the effects of Yijinjing and Qigong appeared to be ineffective (p > 0.05). The exercise interventions that lasted for 1-12 weeks showed significant effects (p = 0.0007), while those that lasted for 12-48 weeks showed non-significant effects (p > 0.05).
Conclusions. CTE may effectively treat depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Taichi and Baduanjin are effective exercises, and an intervention duration of 1-12 weeks may be appropriate.