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

Saint Anselm College683 enrolled

Overview

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.

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

683

Conditions

Depression, Postpartum

Interventions

standardized electronic messagesBEHAVIORAL

supportive and educational short messages

nurse phone call if requestedBEHAVIORAL

If participant responds "yes" to an offer for a phone call, a nurse calls them within a week of this response

Staff nurse phone follow-upBEHAVIORAL

Usual care: hospital nurse or lactation consultant calls patient within 2-3 weeks prior to discharge. Message left if patient is not reached.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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 -

Locations (1)

Catholic Medical Center

Manchester, New Hampshire, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

postpartum depression symptoms

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

Time frame: 6 months postpartum

Secondary Outcomes

breastfeeding outcomes

Duration and pattern of infant feeding

Time frame: 6 months postpartum

patient satisfaction/experience

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

Time frame: 6 months postpartum

Parenting stress

Scores on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-4)

Time frame: 6 months postpartum

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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