The purpose of this study is to conduct a feasibility study to test the study procedure and a newly developed self-guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for mothers with postpartum depression.
The aim of the feasibility study is twofold: 1) to test the feasibility of the study, and 2) to test the acceptability of the internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program and to minimize dropout. The study will be conducted as a mixed-method process evaluation. Twenty mothers will be included in the study. After being informed about the study and its potential, all patients who give written informed consent will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into either the control group, receiving treatment as usual, or the intervention group, receiving treatment as usual plus the iCBT program iCARE. The intervention period will last for two months. After the intervention period, investigators will use a survey distributed from REDCap to measure its feasibility, participants' satisfaction with it, and acceptability. After the two-month intervention period, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants from both the intervention and control groups to gather qualitative insights. This feasibility study will also provide a preliminary evaluation of the intervention's impact. The findings from this pilot study will inform the design of the subsequent randomized controlled trial (RCT) and guide any necessary modifications to the treatment program and associated procedures.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
iCARE is an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program designed for women experiencing symptoms of postpartum depression, including anxiety, irritability, and sadness. The program offers digital therapy through an online platform tailored to mothers with mild to moderate postpartum depression. The program consists of 7 modules, each with its own theme, incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy, a well-established therapeutic approach for depression. The content includes text, images, audio files, and short films, supplemented with small tasks to provide knowledge and tools to understand and manage one's situation. The treatment course is self-directed, allowing participants to engage with the content at their own pace and at times that are most convenient for them
The feasibility of the trial procedure will be assessed as a composite outcome consisting of:
* Data collection feasibility: measured as assessment completion * Recruitment: measured as the total number of eligible participants, the number who completed the screening questionnaire, and the number of participants completing enrollment per month * Experiences with the trial procedures: Post-intervention, all enrolled participants will participate in a semi-structured interview to evaluate their experiences with the trial procedures. A member of the research team will conduct the interviews.
Time frame: Baseline, two-month follow-up, and the six-month follow-up
The acceptability of the intervention will be assessed as a composite outcome consisting of:
The acceptability of the intervention will be assessed as a composite outcome consisting of: * The Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) will measure participants' satisfaction with the intervention. The questionnaire consists of eight items measured on a four-point scale, with total scores ranging from 8 to 32, with a higher number indicating greater satisfaction. * The System Usability Scale (SUS) will measure participants' perceptions of the software's usability. The questionnaire consists of ten items measured on a five-point scale, with total scores ranging from 0 to 100, with a higher number indicating a better outcome. * Experiences using the intervention: Post-intervention, participants in the intervention group will assess their experiences using the intervention and any issues related to it. A research team member will conduct semi-structured interviews with the participants.
Time frame: Two-month follow-up
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