Prospective Study Evaluating a Novel Mobile App Based Preventive Behavioral Intervention for Perinatal Mood Disorders

NCT ID: NCT04914299

Last Updated: 2025-12-03

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

WITHDRAWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-07-01

Study Completion Date

2022-07-01

Brief Summary

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The primary aim of the study is to investigate whether a novel mobile App-based behavioral intervention in pregnant women can: (1) prevent and/or decrease the incidence of perinatal mood disorders (2) decrease the severity and/or duration of perinatal mood disorders in affected participants (3) increase access of pregnant women to behavioral intervention and support tools (4) increase the satisfaction of pregnant women with their prenatal care.

Detailed Description

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Perinatal depression is an episode of major or minor depression that occurs during pregnancy or in the 12 months after birth; it affects about 10% of new mothers. Postpartum depression accounts for 12.5% of psychologically related hospitalizations among women.

In 2019, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended screening pregnant women to identify those at risk for perinatal depression and refer them for counseling. The USPSTF recommendation is based on growing literature indicating that counseling women at risk for perinatal depression reduce the risk of having an episode of major depression by 40%.

Supporting that, multiple studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral intervention and mental health care adjuvant therapy can effectively improve the condition of patients with postpartum depression. Finally, access to care has also been shown to be an important factor in determining the success of any intervention. Women across high and low-risk groups often have barriers to treatment due to stigma, shame, and fear to disclose symptoms to health providers

In this research, the investigators aim to investigate whether a novel mobile App-based behavioral intervention can meaningfully increase access and demonstrate a beneficial effect in preventing anxiety and depression in the postpartum period. Furthermore and adding to the existing literature in post-partum depression, this study aims to investigate the role of "positive intelligence", an integrative positive cognitive behavioral therapy, as a tool in the prevention and treatment of perinatal mood disorders.

Conditions

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Perinatal Depression Perinatal Anxiety

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Two groups: One receives a novel mobile-App based intervention and the other groups receives standard of care (psychoeducation about postpartum depression, referral and monitoring).
Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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A novel mobile-App based intervention

An App-based "positive intelligence" intervention consisting of 6 weeks of weekly videos and support group sessions, and 6 weeks of daily App-guided practices.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

App-based "positive intelligence" intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A 6 weeks App-guided and support-group based "positive intelligence" cognitive behavioral intervention in addition to standard prenatal and postnatal care

Standard of care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard prenatal and postnatal care(Providing psychoeducation and referral to psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy based on participant's symptoms).

Standard of Care

Standard prenatal care and follow up

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard of care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard prenatal and postnatal care(Providing psychoeducation and referral to psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy based on participant's symptoms).

Interventions

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App-based "positive intelligence" intervention

A 6 weeks App-guided and support-group based "positive intelligence" cognitive behavioral intervention in addition to standard prenatal and postnatal care

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Standard of care

Standard prenatal and postnatal care(Providing psychoeducation and referral to psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy based on participant's symptoms).

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Able to read and speak English
* Have a low-risk singleton pregnancy with more than 24 weeks of gestation
* Have smartphone with internet access
* Failure to meet criteria for a diagnosis of MDD in the last two months

Exclusion Criteria

* Physical or mental disorders which would interfere with their ability to participate in the study
* High-risk pregnancy
* Give birth to a newborn at still-birth or a newborn with congenital anomalies and/or Medical complications that require special care in hospital
* Infant has a birth weight lower than 2,500 grams
* Infant has a 5-minute Apgar score lower than 7
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

45 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Positive Intelligence Inc.

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Shay Erisson

Physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Shay Erisson, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Massachusetts General Hospital

References

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Zlotnick C, Miller IW, Pearlstein T, Howard M, Sweeney P. A preventive intervention for pregnant women on public assistance at risk for postpartum depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Aug;163(8):1443-5. doi: 10.1176/ajp.2006.163.8.1443.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16877662 (View on PubMed)

McFarlane E, Burrell L, Duggan A, Tandon D. Outcomes of a Randomized Trial of a Cognitive Behavioral Enhancement to Address Maternal Distress in Home Visited Mothers. Matern Child Health J. 2017 Mar;21(3):475-484. doi: 10.1007/s10995-016-2125-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27535131 (View on PubMed)

Pessagno RA, Hunker D. Using short-term group psychotherapy as an evidence-based intervention for first-time mothers at risk for postpartum depression. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2013 Jul;49(3):202-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2012.00350.x. Epub 2012 Aug 17.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23819670 (View on PubMed)

O'Connor E, Senger CA, Henninger ML, Coppola E, Gaynes BN. Interventions to Prevent Perinatal Depression: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2019 Feb 12;321(6):588-601. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.20865.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30747970 (View on PubMed)

Liu H, Yang Y. Effects of a psychological nursing intervention on prevention of anxiety and depression in the postpartum period: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2021 Jan 4;20(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12991-020-00320-4.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33397393 (View on PubMed)

Avalos LA, Raine-Bennett T, Chen H, Adams AS, Flanagan T. Improved Perinatal Depression Screening, Treatment, and Outcomes With a Universal Obstetric Program. Obstet Gynecol. 2016 May;127(5):917-925. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001403.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27054938 (View on PubMed)

Byatt N, Simas TA, Lundquist RS, Johnson JV, Ziedonis DM. Strategies for improving perinatal depression treatment in North American outpatient obstetric settings. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2012 Dec;33(4):143-61. doi: 10.3109/0167482X.2012.728649.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23194018 (View on PubMed)

Sockol LE. A systematic review and meta-analysis of interpersonal psychotherapy for perinatal women. J Affect Disord. 2018 May;232:316-328. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.01.018. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29501991 (View on PubMed)

Sockol LE. A systematic review of the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating and preventing perinatal depression. J Affect Disord. 2015 May 15;177:7-21. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.01.052. Epub 2015 Feb 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25743368 (View on PubMed)

Haga SM, Drozd F, Lisoy C, Wentzel-Larsen T, Slinning K. Mamma Mia - A randomized controlled trial of an internet-based intervention for perinatal depression. Psychol Med. 2019 Aug;49(11):1850-1858. doi: 10.1017/S0033291718002544. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30191779 (View on PubMed)

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee Opinion no. 630. Screening for perinatal depression. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 May;125(5):1268-1271. doi: 10.1097/01.AOG.0000465192.34779.dc.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25932866 (View on PubMed)

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 757: Screening for Perinatal Depression. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Nov;132(5):e208-e212. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002927.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30629567 (View on PubMed)

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing Postpartum Care. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 May;131(5):e140-e150. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002633.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29683911 (View on PubMed)

Morrell CJ, Sutcliffe P, Booth A, Stevens J, Scope A, Stevenson M, Harvey R, Bessey A, Cantrell A, Dennis CL, Ren S, Ragonesi M, Barkham M, Churchill D, Henshaw C, Newstead J, Slade P, Spiby H, Stewart-Brown S. A systematic review, evidence synthesis and meta-analysis of quantitative and qualitative studies evaluating the clinical effectiveness, the cost-effectiveness, safety and acceptability of interventions to prevent postnatal depression. Health Technol Assess. 2016 May;20(37):1-414. doi: 10.3310/hta20370.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27184772 (View on PubMed)

US Preventive Services Task Force; Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, Barry MJ, Caughey AB, Davidson KW, Doubeni CA, Epling JW Jr, Grossman DC, Kemper AR, Kubik M, Landefeld CS, Mangione CM, Silverstein M, Simon MA, Tseng CW, Wong JB. Interventions to Prevent Perinatal Depression: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2019 Feb 12;321(6):580-587. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.0007.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30747971 (View on PubMed)

Zlotnick C, Johnson SL, Miller IW, Pearlstein T, Howard M. Postpartum depression in women receiving public assistance: pilot study of an interpersonal-therapy-oriented group intervention. Am J Psychiatry. 2001 Apr;158(4):638-40. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.158.4.638.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11282702 (View on PubMed)

Shorey S, Ng YPM, Ng ED, Siew AL, Morelius E, Yoong J, Gandhi M. Effectiveness of a Technology-Based Supportive Educational Parenting Program on Parental Outcomes (Part 1): Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2019 Feb 13;21(2):e10816. doi: 10.2196/10816.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30758289 (View on PubMed)

Goodman JH. Women's attitudes, preferences, and perceived barriers to treatment for perinatal depression. Birth. 2009 Mar;36(1):60-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2008.00296.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19278385 (View on PubMed)

Smith-Nielsen J, Matthey S, Lange T, Vaever MS. Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale against both DSM-5 and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for depression. BMC Psychiatry. 2018 Dec 20;18(1):393. doi: 10.1186/s12888-018-1965-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30572867 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2021P001387

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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