Efficacy of Brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Perinatal Anxiety

NCT ID: NCT03837392

Last Updated: 2023-07-12

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-06-01

Study Completion Date

2023-06-30

Brief Summary

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This protocol will test the hypothesis that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms during the perinatal and postpartum periods. Participants should expect their participation in the study to last 9-12 months.

Detailed Description

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The study's major theme is "to examine the efficacy of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention in treating perinatal anxiety symptoms, as compared to a supportive control condition."

The perinatal and postpartum periods are known to be a vulnerable time for the development of mental health symptomatology, with approximately 7% of women developing postpartum depression in the first three months following childbirth. One known predictor of postpartum depression is perinatal anxiety and distress. The impact of postpartum depression extends beyond the mother, whose distress and daily functioning are affected, with adverse effects on infant development and care. The need for interventions and preventive interventions has been widely indicated for over two decades.

This protocol will describe two conditions, the effects of which will be contrasted to determine the efficacy of ACT in treating anxiety and depressive symptoms among perinatal women. The ACT condition will be compared to a supportive psychoeducation intervention. The effects of the intervention will be determined in terms of self-report measures (anxiety and depressive symptoms, flexibility, mindfulness, social satisfaction) and diagnostic interviews (depression, anxiety). The impact of trauma history and psychodiagnostic history will be examined as moderating factors and/or covariates in the examination of the intervention's efficacy.

This protocol will test the hypothesis that ACT is effective in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms during the perinatal and postpartum periods. Second, the investigators will examine the intergenerational impact of the intervention on the offspring via offspring birth outcomes, as reported in the electronic medical record. Finally, the investigators will explore mediators and moderators of the treatment outcomes. This work will advance the understanding of the impact of brief interventions on perinatal well-being and improve the ability to disseminate empirically supported interventions for pregnant mothers.

Conditions

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Post Partum Depression Perinatal Depression Post Partum Anxiety Perinatal Anxiety

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - participants in this arm will take part in an online ACT + psychoeducation intervention. The intervention will provide psychoeducation surrounding perinatal anxiety and depression as well as on engaging social support and coping strategies. The ACT portion of the intervention will focus on developing psychological flexibility, which is defined as behaviorally pursuing one's values even in the presence of barriers (e.g., thoughts, emotions). Following the online intervention, the participants will be contacted for two phone coaching calls -- each lasting about 30-45 minutes.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Baseline Assessment (18-26 weeks pregnant)

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

At baseline, participants will complete several interviews and questionnaires online and via phone to determine psychological history, current functioning, history of trauma, coping styles, and demographic variables.

Online Intervention and Phone Coaching Interventions

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

ACT is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that seeks to promote psychological flexibility. The active comparator is the Supportive Control. Two phone coaching sessions will occur 2- and 4-weeks post-intervention in both conditions.

Follow Up Assessments: 34-36 weeks pregnant and 4-week postpartum

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The follow-up assessments at 34-36 weeks pregnancy and 4-weeks postpartum will be completed via REDCap, an online secure survey platform in order to reduce participant burden.

Follow Up Assessments: 8 weeks postpartum

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The follow-up assessment at 8-weeks postpartum will be completed via phone.

Supportive Psychoeducation

Control group - participants in this arm will take part in an online psychoeducation and support intervention. This intervention will focus on psychoeducation surrounding perinatal anxiety and depression, as well as on engaging social support and coping strategies. Following the online intervention, the participants will be contacted for two phone coaching calls -- each lasting about 30-45 minutes.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Baseline Assessment (18-26 weeks pregnant)

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

At baseline, participants will complete several interviews and questionnaires online and via phone to determine psychological history, current functioning, history of trauma, coping styles, and demographic variables.

Online Intervention and Phone Coaching Interventions

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

ACT is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that seeks to promote psychological flexibility. The active comparator is the Supportive Control. Two phone coaching sessions will occur 2- and 4-weeks post-intervention in both conditions.

Follow Up Assessments: 34-36 weeks pregnant and 4-week postpartum

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The follow-up assessments at 34-36 weeks pregnancy and 4-weeks postpartum will be completed via REDCap, an online secure survey platform in order to reduce participant burden.

Follow Up Assessments: 8 weeks postpartum

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

The follow-up assessment at 8-weeks postpartum will be completed via phone.

Interventions

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Baseline Assessment (18-26 weeks pregnant)

At baseline, participants will complete several interviews and questionnaires online and via phone to determine psychological history, current functioning, history of trauma, coping styles, and demographic variables.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Online Intervention and Phone Coaching Interventions

ACT is a cognitive-behavioral therapy that seeks to promote psychological flexibility. The active comparator is the Supportive Control. Two phone coaching sessions will occur 2- and 4-weeks post-intervention in both conditions.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Follow Up Assessments: 34-36 weeks pregnant and 4-week postpartum

The follow-up assessments at 34-36 weeks pregnancy and 4-weeks postpartum will be completed via REDCap, an online secure survey platform in order to reduce participant burden.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Follow Up Assessments: 8 weeks postpartum

The follow-up assessment at 8-weeks postpartum will be completed via phone.

Intervention Type DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Adult women (ages 18-45) who are between 18-26 weeks pregnant
2. Fluency in English
3. Ability to give informed consent and comply with study procedures (including phone and internet access)
4. Elevated GAD-7 score (10+)
5. Women must be receiving prenatal care
6. Singleton pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria

1. Prisoners
2. Inability to give informed consent and comply with study procedures
3. Past/current mania, past/current psychoses (assessed with Psychosis Screening Questionnaire)
4. No therapy appointments in last 60 days (not currently in psychotherapy).
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University of Iowa

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Emily Thomas

Clinical Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Emily B K Thomas, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Iowa

Locations

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University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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202002658

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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