A meta-analysis of 11 trials found low to moderate intensity programmed exercise for 12 weeks to a year reduced depressive symptoms in midlife and older women, with less insomnia reported secondarily.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,943 participants pooled · 2017Midlife womenCited 52 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 11 trials found mind-body exercises like tai chi, yoga, and qigong improved bone density, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and fatigue in peri- and postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,005 participants pooled · 2024Midlife womenCited 40 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of ten RCTs in midlife and older women found mid-term exercise programs of 12 to 16 weeks reduced mild to moderate anxiety symptoms, but longer programs of 6 to 14 months did not.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 1,463 participants pooled · 2018Midlife womenCited 19 timesPubMed
An umbrella review and meta-analysis of yoga trials in peri- and postmenopausal women found yoga reduced hot flushes and psychological symptoms compared with controls, with quality of life rarely reported.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 927 participants pooled · 2017Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 21 randomized trials with 2020 women found physical activity reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms during the menopausal transition and menopause, regardless of exercise intensity.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,020 participants pooled · 2025Midlife womenCited 14 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 26 RCTs in postmenopausal women found exercise reduced depression, with mind-body exercise ranked most effective, and also improved anxiety.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,170 participants pooled · 2024PostmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 24 RCTs in menopausal women found yoga improved menopausal symptoms, sleep, anxiety, depression, BMI and blood pressure, but not hot flushes or quality of life.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,028 participants pooled · 2025Midlife womenCited 9 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 18 trials in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women found mind-body therapies such as yoga and qigong improved sleep quality, depression and anxiety compared with usual care.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,572 participants pooled · 2025Midlife womenCited 7 timesPubMed
A scoping review of 67 studies covering over 103,000 midlife women found physical activity generally linked to better psychological and social outcomes like mood and quality of life.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 103,826 participants pooled · 2022Midlife womenCited 24 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 18 trials found that yoga, tai chi, meditation and relaxation practices often improved overall menopausal symptoms, hot flushes, mood, sleep and musculoskeletal pain.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 882 participants pooled · 2010Midlife womenCited 58 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 61 RCTs with 4,100 postmenopausal women found aerobic exercise lowered blood pressure, improved lipid profile, and reduced anxiety, with no significant effect on depression or total cholesterol.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 4,100 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 33 RCTs in postmenopausal women found resistance, mind-body, aerobic, and combined exercise all reduced depressive symptoms, with resistance and mind-body exercise ranking highest.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,607 participants pooled · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 29 RCTs in 2071 women with breast cancer found combined aerobic and resistance training improved fitness, fatigue and quality of life, with smaller benefits in postmenopausal women.
Mixed resultsMeta-analysis · 2,071 participants pooled · 2026Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
A review of 23 studies found exercise-based and mind-body interventions improved quality of life, menopausal symptoms and depression in Asian perimenopausal women, but not hot flashes.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2020PerimenopausalCited 14 timesPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 23 RCTs found aerobic exercise, multimodal exercise and stretching were most effective at reducing depressive symptoms in peri and postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025Midlife womenCited 9 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 23 trials in people with osteoporosis, 95 percent female with an average age of 67, found exercise such as resistance training, balance training and Pilates improved mental health, quality of life and pain.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,120 participants pooled · 19 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 23 trials in postmenopausal women found exercise generally improved anxiety and depression more than control, with mind-body training ranking most favorably.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,298 participants pooled · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A meta-analysis of 12 trials with 1,050 women found exercise and mind-body exercise improved menopausal symptoms, quality of life, anxiety, and depressive symptoms compared with controls.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,050 participants pooled · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
A meta-analysis of 12 RCTs with 1023 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women found Traditional Chinese Exercise reduced menopausal symptoms and depression and improved spine bone density, but not quality of life.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 1,023 participants pooled · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women did 12 months of diet, aerobic exercise, or both; combined diet and exercise improved quality of life and stress more than exercise alone.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 439 women · 52 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 133 timesPubMed
In sedentary perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of facility-based aerobic exercise three times weekly did not reduce hot flush frequency or bother versus usual activity.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 248 women · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 135 timesPubMed
A review of 5 RCTs in overweight and obese postmenopausal women found long-term physical activity interventions improved adiposity and physical capacity, while mental health outcomes did not change significantly.
No difference foundSystematic review · 2016PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
Breast cancer survivors with hot flashes did an 8 week Yoga of Awareness program and reported greater improvements in hot flash frequency, severity, joint pain, fatigue and sleep than a wait-list group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 37 women · 8 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 182 timesPubMed
164 previously low-active midlife women did walking, yoga, or no exercise for 4 months; walking and yoga groups reported improved positive mood and menopause-related quality of life.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 164 women · 16 weeks · 2007Midlife womenCited 138 timesPubMed
A systematic review of seventeen studies found physical activity was associated with improved overall and breast cancer specific survival, with possibly greater benefit in older or postmenopausal women.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2013Midlife womenCited 32 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal fatigued breast cancer survivors did 12 weeks of Qigong or Tai Chi Easy versus sham Qigong; fatigue decreased more with active practice but depression and sleep did not differ.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 87 women · 12 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 119 timesPubMed
A review of controlled trials found exercise trials for hot flushes gave mixed results, while one yoga trial reduced hot flushes and improved cognitive symptoms more than exercise.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2014Midlife womenCited 27 timesPubMed
Late perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women did an 8-week mindfulness training program, and reported bother from hot flashes decreased more than with a wait-list control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 110 women · 12 weeks · 2011Midlife womenCited 110 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 21 trials found pelvic floor muscle exercises in postmenopausal women improved quality of life, sexual function, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor function, with no effect on psychological status.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A 12 week Pilates program in postmenopausal women aged 60 plus improved sleep quality, anxiety, depression and fatigue scores versus a control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 110 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 87 timesPubMed
A review of 31 studies found yoga, walking, exercise, and stretching improved sleep quality in menopausal women, with inconsistent effects on depression.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2023Midlife womenCited 17 timesPubMed
Among sedentary peri and postmenopausal women randomized to yoga, aerobic exercise or usual activity plus omega-3 or placebo, omega-3 did not improve hot flush frequency, bother, sleep or mood versus placebo over 12 weeks.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 355 women · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 63 timesPubMed
Breast cancer survivors averaging age 49 did 12 weeks of Hatha yoga and meditation, reporting lower menopausal symptoms, less fatigue, and better quality of life than usual care at 12 and 24 weeks.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 40 women · 12 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 84 timesPubMed
A review of 12 studies found mobile apps and wearables increased physical activity by about 61 weekly minutes in midlife menopausal women and improved weight, anxiety, sleep and quality of life.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2022Midlife womenCited 14 timesPubMed
An umbrella review of 9 systematic reviews found physical activity during menopause was linked to reduced depression, though effects on stress and anxiety were inconsistent.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2023Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 13 RCTs with 1,470 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women found aerobic exercise, yoga, Pilates, resistance training, stretching and relaxation improved sleep quality and psychological wellbeing.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 1,470 participants pooled · 2025Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
In 120 perimenopausal women, 8 weeks of yoga reduced vasomotor symptoms, stress and neuroticism more than a supervised physical exercise control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 120 women · 8 weeks · 2008PerimenopausalCited 67 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women with fibromyalgia did a 16 week aquatic exercise program and researchers found fewer tender points and improved sleep and cognitive function, with no change in anxiety.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 60 women · 16 weeks · 2008Midlife womenCited 76 timesPubMed
Mostly sedentary, overweight middle-aged women at work took part in a 10-minute workplace aerobic dance exercise break, with high participation but mixed effects on self-rated health and energy.
Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 449 women · 2004Midlife womenCited 55 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with vertebral fractures did six months of group exercise and coping classes, improving trunk strength and psychological symptoms versus health education controls, with no change in pain.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 185 women · 26 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 63 timesPubMed
In 58 postmenopausal women over 6 months, whole-body vibration increased hip and spine bone density while high-impact exercise did not, and both improved mobility, quality of life and depressive symptoms.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 58 women · 26 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 53 timesPubMed
Among 113 midlife women in a physical activity trial, increased activity was linked to fewer general menopause symptoms but not to vasomotor or sexual symptoms specifically.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 113 women · 2009Midlife womenCited 57 timesPubMed
In an 88 woman 12 week RCT, postmenopausal women practicing Hatha yoga reported lower menopausal symptom and depression scores and higher quality of life than control and exercise groups.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 88 women · 12 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 48 timesPubMed
Inactive postmenopausal women aged 57 to 75 who walked three times weekly for six months showed a greater decrease in depression scores than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 121 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 41 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who did a 12-week pedometer-based walking program with gradually increased steps reported less anxiety, insomnia and depression than a control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 106 women · 12 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 42 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal Spanish women did a 12 week BaDuanJin Qigong program; the group showed significant improvements in sleep quality, anxiety and depression compared with no intervention.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 125 women · 12 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal women with depressive symptoms did guided square dance 60 to 90 minutes, 5 times weekly for 3 months, and reported significantly lower depression scores than a no-intervention control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 12 weeks · 2016PerimenopausalCited 45 timesPubMed
Previously low active middle aged women who did a four month walking or yoga program did not improve overall self-esteem but reported gains in esteem related to physical condition and body attractiveness.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 164 women · 16 weeks · 2007Midlife womenCited 42 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal women did an 8 week mindfulness program including meditation and yoga; participants reported fewer depressive symptoms, less anxiety and improved sleep compared to a waitlist group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 95 women · 8 weeks · 2021PerimenopausalCited 31 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal women who walked briskly three or more times weekly for 12 weeks reported greater reductions in menopausal symptom scores, cholesterol, triglycerides and weight than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 111 women · 12 weeks · 2014PerimenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
In 176 recently postmenopausal sedentary women, unsupervised aerobic training four times weekly for 24 weeks reduced night sweats, mood swings, and irritability more than health lectures.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 154 women · 24 weeks · 2012Early postmenopausalCited 32 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women doing 12 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training outdoors reported better mood responses and higher adherence than those training indoors.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 23 women · 12 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 43 timesPubMed
Obese postmenopausal women walked and strength trained with diet and GH or IGF-I injections for 12 weeks; all groups lost fat and gained muscle strength without losing lean mass.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 12 weeks · 1998PostmenopausalCited 60 timesPubMed
A scoping review of 20 studies found resistance training combined with impact activity improved bone density in menopausal women, with greater benefit when combined with hormone therapy than either alone.
Direction not statedSystematic review · 2025Midlife womenCited 5 timesPubMed
In 60 postmenopausal women aged 60 to 70 with anxiety and depression, a 6 month mixed exercise programme with music improved depression and anxiety scores compared to no treatment.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 60 women · 26 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 32 timesPubMed
In 137 overweight postmenopausal women on a 6-month weight loss plan, adding resistance training to caloric restriction did not further improve psychosocial measures beyond diet alone.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 137 women · 26 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 25 timesPubMed
In 23 healthy premenopausal, middle-aged women, three months of aerobic or strength exercise both improved many premenstrual symptoms, with the aerobic group improving more, especially premenstrual depression.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 23 women · 12 weeks · 1993Midlife womenCited 53 timesPubMed
A planned trial will compare cognitive behavioral therapy, physical exercise, and their combination in younger breast cancer patients with treatment-induced menopause, assessing menopausal symptoms and quality of life.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 325 women · 26 weeks · 2009OtherCited 21 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who did supervised aerobic or resistance exercise 3 days a week for 8 weeks reported improved menopausal symptoms, lower depression and better quality of life, with no change in lipid profiles.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 36 women · 8 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 31 timesPubMed
23 sedentary postmenopausal women did a 6 week walking program then either continued or stopped exercising, with continued exercisers reporting better mood, anxiety and quality of life at follow up.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 23 women · 12 weeks · 2006PostmenopausalCited 37 timesPubMed
In a 3 week RCT of 40 middle-aged Japanese women, 10 minutes of nightly stretching reduced menopausal symptom scores and depressive symptom scores compared with a control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 40 women · 3 weeks · 2016Midlife womenCited 26 timesPubMed
In 112 women aged 45 to 60, a 16-week supervised multicomponent exercise program reduced menopause-related symptom and vasomotor symptom scores more than counseling alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 112 women · 16 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed
In 400 inactive postmenopausal women, a year of aerobic exercise at 300 versus 150 minutes per week showed no additional benefit for quality of life, sleep or mood.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 400 women · 52 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Inactive women aged 30 to 65 at risk for metabolic syndrome did 6 weeks of sprint interval training and reported increased vitality and fewer physical limitations without worsened mood, compared to controls.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 47 women · 6 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 17 timesPubMed
Overweight women aged 40 to 65 did an 8-week virtual reality cycling exercise program, which reduced BMI and depression scores more than indoor cycling or control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 8 weeks · 2023Midlife womenCited 29 timesPubMed
A 16 week supervised aerobic plus resistance exercise program in 150 middle-aged women improved positive affect and reduced emotional distress compared with a counseling group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 111 women · 16 weeks · 2021Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women in a 12-month weight loss program with aerobic exercise and vitamin D or placebo showed no improvement in depressive symptoms or quality of life from vitamin D.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal women received education, diet guidance, or diet plus resistance exercise for 3 months; all groups reduced climacteric symptom scores, with the combined group showing broad symptom improvement.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 78 women · 12 weeks · 2022PerimenopausalCited 10 timesPubMed
In menopausal women aged 50 to 65, a 12 week SaBang-DolGi walking program improved physical measures and mental well-being compared to a control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 40 women · 12 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 9 timesPubMed
Nine middle-aged women with depression did 7 days of home-based interval walking training with or without a supplement, and the supplement group showed reduced depression scores.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 9 women · 1 weeks · 2018Midlife womenCited 12 timesPubMed
44 postmenopausal women did 9 months of weight-bearing resistance exercise, and those who lost lower body fat showed the most improvement in perceived physical appearance, with little change in self-esteem.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 44 women · 39 weeks · 2000PostmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal women with depression did simplified Tai Chi training; the Tai Chi group showed significantly lower depression scores afterward compared with before, linked to changes in kynurenine metabolites.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 72 women · 2025PerimenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Previously sedentary postmenopausal women aged 45 to 64 who completed a 20-week exercise plus health promotion program reported improved quality of life, mental well-being, weight, fitness and flexibility versus controls, sustained to 12 months.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 20 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 16 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal and perimenopausal women received 5 health coaching sessions over 4 months; coaching reduced menopausal symptoms and depression and improved quality of life but did not change physical activity.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 94 women · 16 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 5 timesPubMed
Obese postmenopausal women did Taekwondo training five times weekly for 16 weeks and showed reduced weight, body fat, cholesterol and negative mood, with increased serotonin.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 women · 16 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
Previously sedentary postmenopausal women who completed a supervised 20-week multicomponent exercise program showed improved quality of life, mental well-being, weight, fitness and flexibility, maintained through 12-month follow-up.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 20 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Early postmenopausal women did 16 weeks of twice-weekly jazz dance; the dance group showed improved menopausal symptoms, anxiety, depression and stress scores versus control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 47 women · 16 weeks · 2025Early postmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 16 weeks of jazz dance or concurrent aerobic and resistance training; both reduced anxiety, depression and stress, with some differences in timing and mood domains.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 70 women · 16 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
In 330 women aged 45-50 with metabolic syndrome, combined exercise therapy, mineral water, vitamins and physiotherapy reduced psychoemotional menopausal symptoms over 6 months versus conventional treatment alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 330 women · 26 weeks · 2019PerimenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
In 42 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of Zumba training improved postural balance, lower limb strength, mood, and quality of life compared with baseline.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 42 women · 12 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
In 160 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 55, a physical activity program, alone or with group discussion, reported higher happiness scores than control immediately and two months later.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 160 women · 2024PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
Women aged 40 to 65 followed a 12 week web-based lifestyle program including exercise goal-setting, and reported reduced anxiety, depression, hot flushes and sexual dysfunction.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 225 women · 12 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 27 timesPubMed
Women over 40 with celiac disease combined a gluten-free diet with resistance exercise for 12 weeks and reported improved urogenital symptoms and higher vigour mood scores versus diet alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 28 women · 12 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
Women aged 40 to 60 took an 8 week Hatha yoga course and reported significantly lower perceived stress scores than a no-intervention control group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 63 women · 8 weeks · 2013Midlife womenCited 28 timesPubMed
Menopausal women doing yoga three times weekly for 24 weeks with psychological support showed reduced depression, anxiety, menopausal distress and improved sleep quality versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 106 women · 24 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women followed for 2 years who increased physical activity and reduced BMI reported improved self-perceptions of physical condition and body attractiveness, raising self-esteem.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 143 women · 104 weeks · 2010Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with pelvic floor dysfunction used a digital pelvic floor muscle training and education program and reported less symptom impact, better mental health and improved work productivity.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 3,051 women · 2025PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
In Australian women aged 45 to 55 followed for about three years, increases in physical activity were linked to increases in HDL cholesterol and wellbeing.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 292 women · 156 weeks · 1997Midlife womenCited 18 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women followed 24 months after a year of moderate or high volume aerobic exercise, quality of life and sleep outcomes did not differ between the two exercise doses.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 333 women · 104 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalPubMed
In 66 early postmenopausal women, eight weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training, delivered in person or via app, reduced menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and improved sleep versus education alone.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 66 women · 8 weeks · 2026Early postmenopausalPubMed
Depressed postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction did supervised diaphragmatic breathing exercises for 12 weeks and had greater reductions in depression scores and increases in sexual function scores than controls, with no difference in walk test distance.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 64 women · 12 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A modeling study of 10,854 Australian women aged 50 to 55 found shifting everyone to meet physical activity guidelines reduced modeled rates of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer and depression more than smaller uniform increases.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 10,854 women · 2014Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
In breast cancer survivors aged 35 to 68 starting a one year exercise trial, higher physical activity correlated with better quality of life, while fatigue and depression were linked to worse quality of life.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 537 women · 2011Midlife womenCited 75 timesPubMed
In 140 Iranian women, an educational program promoting physical activity based on a behavior change model reduced sleep problems, depression, irritability and anxiety two months later.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 140 women · 8 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
33 perimenopausal women did a cross-over sports therapy program and reported lower menopause symptom scores and depressive mood scores compared to a control telephone-intervention phase.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 33 women · 2024PerimenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
Among 305 Turkish women aged 45 to 60, physically active women reported lower total menopausal symptom scores, including sleep, sexual, joint and psychological symptoms, than less active women.
Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 305 women · 2014Midlife womenCited 22 timesPubMed
In 16 postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis, 10 weeks of yoga classes reduced pain and depression scores and improved balance, with no significant change in cortisol patterns.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 16 women · 10 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
Ten postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with aromatase inhibitor joint pain did twice weekly yoga for eight weeks and reported pain relief and improved quality of life themes in interviews.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 10 women · 8 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
In 48 peri and postmenopausal women, 8 weeks of using an app providing exercise coaching and information improved quality of life scores and reduced anxiety and somatic symptoms compared to a waitlist group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 48 women · 8 weeks · 2024Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
A survey of 542 midlife women across four ethnic groups found depressive symptoms were negatively correlated with active living and sports or exercise activity.
Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 542 women · 2015Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
In a postal survey of midlife Australian women, exercise was associated with fewer somatic and psychological symptoms including depression and anxiety, but not with hot flushes or sexual function.
Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 2006Midlife womenCited 56 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did a 3-month exercise and pelvic floor training program, which increased pelvic floor muscle strength and reduced anxiety but did not improve sexual function.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 32 women · 12 weeks · 2012Early postmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Among 434 Korean women aged 40 to 64, depression scores and self-efficacy differed significantly across stages of readiness to change exercise behavior.
Mixed resultsCross-sectional study · 434 women · 2006Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with joint pain from aromatase inhibitors did group tai chi twice weekly for 8 weeks and reported improved anxiety, depression, fatigue and emotional wellbeing, with no significant change in pain or balance.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 12 women · 8 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
A quasi-experimental trial found 6 to 24 months of Shivam Yoga practice in women aged 40-65 reduced climacteric symptom scores and increased estrogen and testosterone levels versus controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 182 women · 104 weeks · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
In 46 postmenopausal women with anxiety-depressive symptoms, a one-month spa program based on physical activity was linked to increased adrenal steroid levels and reduced neurotic symptoms.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 46 women · 4 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
A controlled trial of 102 sedentary climacteric women with metabolic syndrome found 24 months of Shivam Yoga reduced fasting glucose, blood pressure, waist circumference and menopausal symptom scores.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 102 women · 104 weeks · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
A pilot lifestyle programme adapted for midlife women with HIV, ages 40 to 59, reported increased physical activity, cardiovascular disease knowledge, and improved fatigue and mental health.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 14 women · 2021Midlife womenCited 8 timesPubMed
In a pretest posttest study of 102 Thai postmenopausal women, an exercise program was described by the authors as a safe, simple way to help reduce psychological stress.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 102 women · 2002PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Sedentary middle-aged women did a graded treadmill test; obese women reported lower pleasure and energy during exercise than normal-weight or overweight women.
Reported a worseningOther · 2010Midlife womenCited 102 timesPubMed
A review reported that postmenopausal women taking high dose creatine may gain skeletal muscle size and function, with favorable bone effects when combined with resistance training.
Direction not statedOther · 2021PostmenopausalCited 62 timesPubMed
A review of trials in menopausal women reported that aerobic exercise and yoga were linked to improved mood, quality of life, insomnia and some vasomotor symptoms compared with no exercise.
Reported an improvementOther · 2009Midlife womenCited 66 timesPubMed
This narrative review summarized medical literature finding that regular exercise in midlife and postmenopausal women is linked with reduced obesity, cancer, dementia, mood symptoms, and osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementOther · 2015Midlife womenCited 56 timesPubMed
Twenty-five postmenopausal women did a 6-minute walk test and treadmill task; slower oxygen uptake kinetics correlated with higher fatigue and mood disturbance, and older women had lower aerobic capacity.
Mixed resultsCross-sectional study · 25 women · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In interviews after a 6 month physical activity trial, menopausal women reported improved hot flushes, night sweats, sleep and psychological wellbeing from being physically active.
Reported an improvementOther · 17 women · 26 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 22 timesPubMed
22 menopausal women completed a 12-week workplace exercise programme of body conditioning, Zumba Gold, Pilates and HIIT, with authors reporting favourable changes in body fat, fitness, menopause symptoms and mental health.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 22 women · 12 weeks · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
A single postmenopausal breast cancer patient given 43 days of integrated naturopathy and yoga therapy reported reduced pain, stress and depression and improved sleep quality.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 1 women · 6 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalPubMed
A review reported that aerobic and resistance exercise in menopausal women was linked to improved cardiovascular fitness, increased bone mineral content, greater muscle strength and reduced body fat.
Mixed resultsOther · 1990Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
A qualitative analysis of journal entries and interviews from menopausal women aged 40 to 65 found yoga supported problem and emotion focused coping with symptoms.
Reported an improvementOther · 12 women · 2019Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
A narrative review of psychological and mind-body approaches, including yoga, found empirical support for improving quality of life and symptoms like hot flushes and sleep during menopause.
Reported an improvementOther · 2024Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
A planned 18 week yoga program will be tested against a waitlist control for musculoskeletal complaints in women on endocrine therapy for breast cancer, with results not yet reported.
Direction not statedOther · 140 women · 18 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
A trial protocol will compare 12 weeks of urban dance versus functional fitness against a control group for physical and psychological effects in postmenopausal women aged 40 to 59.
Direction not statedOther · 12 weeks · 2025Early postmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
A review described how regular physical activity including aerobic exercise, resistance training and yoga in midlife women supports cognition, sleep, mood and reduces chronic disease risk.
Reported an improvementOther · 2025Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
Seven perimenopausal women who played walking football reported physical and mental health benefits, including reduced depressive symptoms and a supportive social environment.
Reported an improvementOther · 7 women · 2025PerimenopausalPubMed