MedPath

Effectiveness of a Web-based Nursing Intervention in the Reduction of Postpartum Depression and Parenting Stress.

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Depression, Postpartum
Interventions
Behavioral: standardized electronic messages
Behavioral: nurse phone call if requested
Behavioral: Staff nurse phone follow-up
Registration Number
NCT02843022
Lead Sponsor
Saint Anselm College
Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to determine whether a web-based nursing intervention delivered during the postpartum period will decrease symptoms of postpartum depression and parenting stress.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this randomized, controlled trial is to determine whether receiving standardized messages (text or email) from a postpartum nurse four times/week for 6 months after delivery will decrease symptoms of postpartum depression and parenting stress. Enrolled women will be randomized to one of three groups. The first group will receive the usual care, which is a phone call from a nurse within the first few weeks postpartum. The second group will receive four standardized messages each week, the content of which will include infant care, maternal self-care and inspirational material. The third group will receive the same four standardized messages each week, and in addition, two of these weekly messages will offer the option to respond with a request for a nurse to call them. Baseline data will be collected during the postpartum hospitalization, and follow-up will occur by email at 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postpartum.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
683
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Able to speak and read English
  2. Access to a device which can receive text or email messages
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Non-English speaking,
  2. No access to a device which can receive text or email messages
  3. Age younger than 18 -

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Message Onlystandardized electronic messagesParticipant will receive the usual care, and in addition, will receive four standardized electronic messages weekly for six months postpartum. These will be one-way messages without the option to respond.
Message and Nursenurse phone call if requestedParticipant will receive the usual care as well as the four standardized electronic messages/week for 6 months. Two of these weekly messages will be two-way, providing the option for the participant to respond "yes" to an offer to have a nurse call them. A nurse phone call if requested will be provided with a week.
Message OnlyStaff nurse phone follow-upParticipant will receive the usual care, and in addition, will receive four standardized electronic messages weekly for six months postpartum. These will be one-way messages without the option to respond.
Message and Nursestandardized electronic messagesParticipant will receive the usual care as well as the four standardized electronic messages/week for 6 months. Two of these weekly messages will be two-way, providing the option for the participant to respond "yes" to an offer to have a nurse call them. A nurse phone call if requested will be provided with a week.
Usual careStaff nurse phone follow-upParticipant will receive the usual care provided by the nursing staff at Catholic Medical Center. A lactation consultant or childbirth educator attempts to call each patient within 2-3 weeks prior to discharge. Only one call is made, and a message left if the patient would like to call back.
Message and NurseStaff nurse phone follow-upParticipant will receive the usual care as well as the four standardized electronic messages/week for 6 months. Two of these weekly messages will be two-way, providing the option for the participant to respond "yes" to an offer to have a nurse call them. A nurse phone call if requested will be provided with a week.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
postpartum depression symptoms6 months postpartum

Measured by scores on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at three time points

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Parenting stress6 months postpartum

Scores on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-4)

breastfeeding outcomes6 months postpartum

Duration and pattern of infant feeding

patient satisfaction/experience6 months postpartum

Participant response to the experience of receiving messages and having the option to talk to a nurse (group 3), as well as their sense of connection to the hospital where they gave birth

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Catholic Medical Center

🇺🇸

Manchester, New Hampshire, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath