An umbrella systematic review of the effect of physical exercise on mental health of women in menopause

Abstract

Importance: The menopausal transition has been related to worsening mental health. The literature also points out that being physically active during menopause is associated with a favorable effect on climacteric symptoms, specifically on psychological aspects.Objectives: The aims of the study are to analyze the effects of physical activity on mental health during menopause through an umbrella review and to evaluate the quality of the included Systematic Reviews and meta-analyses (MAs).Evidence Review: A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was applied to assess the level of the evidence of the results. In addition, the effect size of the revised meta-analyses (MAs) was calculated.Findings: A total of 9 systematic reviews/MAs were included, published between 2014 and 2020. In the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews methodological quality assessment, 8 studies were classified as "high quality" and 1 as "low quality." In terms of quality of the evidence for each result through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation classification, approximately 75% of the studies were classified as "moderate quality," 22.2% as "high quality," and 22.2% as "low quality," with the greatest bias concerning the high heterogeneity of the included studies. In addition, the studies showed low overlap. Despite the high heterogeneity, we can highlight the importance of the practice of physical activity by women in menopause, to prevent and/or reduce problems related to mental health.Conclusions and Relevance: There was a positive effect of the interventions on depression, however, with no difference between durations (short or long). Regarding stress, the interventions applied did not show a positive effect. The studies that investigated depression linked to anxiety presented conflicting results.

How do women feel cold water swimming affects their menstrual and perimenopausal symptoms?

“…The age of the participants ranged from 16 to 80 years, with a mean age of 49 years. Most of the participants were aged between 45…”

Treatments and Management of Menopausal Symptoms: Current Status and Future Challenges

“…• avoiding triggers (e.g., spicy foods, lights, comforters, and predictable emotional reactions); • cool down the environment (e.g., by turning down the thermostat, using fans, and cooling gel pads [gel-filled sheets that are placed on a mattress and dissipate body heat]); • Wearing layered clothing, which can be removed when needed can help; and • exercise and weight loss [86][87][88][89][90][91]. Devices that cool skin receptors may help some women; they can be worn as cuffs or necklaces or placed on the neck's back.…”

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“…This is true during pregnancy when increased physical activity is associated with decreased risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and gestational weight gain 1 . For those who have experienced menopause, 2 recent meta‐analyses have highlighted the importance of exercise during menopause to improve or decrease the severity of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety 2 , 3 . The current physical activity recommendations for all adults, including those who are pregnant, is 150 minutes of moderate‐intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle strengthening a week 4 .…”