Armstrong 2004.

Methods	Randomised controlled trial. The procedure of randomisation was based upon a 4‐block, randomised sequence. Sealed envelopes were opened in a sequential manner. Each envelope contained a code (A or B) assigning the woman to either the exercise or social support group. It was stressed that the process was random and that the investigator had no control over who was selected into which group.
Participants	19 women between 6 weeks and 18 months postpartum with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression score of ≥ 12 at the screening phase and without a medical condition that would prevent regular aerobic exercise.
Interventions	Intervention: 12‐week pram‐walking exercise programme. Women were encouraged to attend 2 pram‐walking sessions (Mondays and Wednesdays) at 09.30 hours on flat walking paths at an area on the Gold Coast. They were required to do the third session needed to improve cardiovascular endurance independently. Muscle stretches were done before and after the exercise and heart rate was recorded at the end of the session. Participants walked for approximately 40 min each session and it was essential that the participants walked at a moderate intensity (60% to 75% of age‐predicted heart rate). Control: this group received social support. Women met once per week on Tuesdays from 09.30 hours to 11.00 hours at a room within the local community centre. No specific topics were discussed. Instead, the women could talk openly about any issues that were of concern or interest to them. Trial duration: medium‐term.
Outcomes	VO2 max and adherence to intervention. Other outcomes not considered in this review: postpartum depression and social support.
Notes	Data suggested good follow‐up (no drop outs) and no differences between groups at baseline. The overall attendance was 75% for the pram‐walking group and 73% for the social support intervention group. There was a common pattern for both groups in relation to attendance.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Adequate sequence generation	Low risk	Randomisation was based upon a 4‐block, randomised sequence.
Allocation concealment	Low risk	Sealed envelopes.
Blinding All outcomes	Unclear risk	No detail provided.
Incomplete outcome data addressed All outcomes	Low risk	Data suggested good follow‐up (no drop outs) but information is not clearly described in the report.
Free of selective reporting	High risk	Some outcomes of relevance were not described (e.g. weight loss).
Free of other bias	Unclear risk	Source of funding not mentioned. No mention of any research protocol published a priori. The characteristics of participants were not significantly different between groups at baseline.