The effectiveness of a nurse-assisted digital thinking healthy program for postpartum depression: A randomized controlled trial

IF 4.2 2区医学 Q1 PSYCHIATRY

Psychiatry Research Pub Date : 2025-07-11 DOI:10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116639

Lei Yang , Yiping Nan , Jie Zhou , Jingwen Sun , Lanting Huo , Fang Liu , Duolao Wang , Atif Rahman , Xiaomei Li

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health issue with significant adverse consequences for both mothers and their infants. The Thinking Healthy Program (THP) is an effective intervention for perinatal depression in non-specialized healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-assisted digital THP in treating PPD among postpartum women experiencing elevated depression symptoms in China based on elevated Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores through a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Postpartum women experiencing elevated depression symptoms were recruited and randomly assigned to either a six-week nurse-assisted digital THP intervention group or a treatment-as-usual control group using computer-generated random sequences. The primary outcome was self-reported depression symptoms measured by the EPDS. Secondary outcomes included general health status (Five-level EuroQol 5-Dimensions Questionnaire), mother-infant attachment (Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale), and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Measurements were conducted online at baseline, post-intervention, and at a three-month follow-up.

Results: A total of 120 postpartum women were allocated to either the intervention (n = 60) or the control (n = 60) group. Participants in the intervention group showed a greater reduction in depression symptoms compared to the control group at post-intervention (β=-1.70, P = 0.047) and at three-month follow-up (β=-1.90, P = 0.007). However, there were no significant effects on general health status. The intervention also led to significantly greater improvements in mother-infant attachment (β=3.05, P = 0.006) and perceived social support at post-intervention (β=6.52, P = 0.027) and at three-month follow-up (β=6.96, P = 0.015).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the nurse-assisted digital THP intervention is effective in reducing maternal depression levels, enhancing mother-infant attachment and increasing perceived social support. Delivering THP via mobile apps is feasible, and nurse assistance can facilitate postpartum women's acceptance of digital psychological interventions.

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护士辅助的数字思维健康项目对产后抑郁症的有效性：一项随机对照试验

背景：产后抑郁症（PPD）是一种普遍存在的心理健康问题，对母亲和婴儿都有严重的不良后果。思考健康计划（THP）是一个有效的干预围产期抑郁症在非专业医疗机构。本研究旨在通过一项随机对照试验，基于爱丁堡产后抑郁量表（EPDS）评分升高，评估护士辅助的数字THP治疗中国产后抑郁症状升高妇女PPD的有效性。方法：招募出现抑郁症状加重的产后妇女，并随机分配到为期六周的护士辅助数字THP干预组或使用计算机生成的随机序列照常治疗的对照组。主要结果是由EPDS测量的自我报告的抑郁症状。次要结局包括一般健康状况（五级EuroQol五维度问卷）、母婴依恋（产妇产后依恋量表）和感知社会支持（感知社会支持多维量表）。在基线、干预后和三个月的随访中进行在线测量。结果：120名产后妇女被分为干预组（n = 60）和对照组（n = 60）。干预组的参与者在干预后（β=-1.70, P = 0.047）和三个月的随访（β=-1.90, P = 0.007）表现出比对照组更大的抑郁症状减轻。然而，对一般健康状况没有显著影响。干预后（β=6.52, P = 0.027）和三个月随访（β=6.96, P = 0.015）的母婴依恋（β=3.05, P = 0.006）和感知社会支持显著改善。结论：护士辅助的数字THP干预在降低母亲抑郁水平、增强母婴依恋和增加感知社会支持方面是有效的。通过移动应用程序提供THP是可行的，护士的协助可以促进产后妇女接受数字心理干预。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Psychiatry Research 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

17.40

自引率

1.80%

发文量

527

审稿时长

57 days

期刊介绍： Psychiatry Research offers swift publication of comprehensive research reports and reviews within the field of psychiatry. The scope of the journal encompasses: Biochemical, physiological, neuroanatomic, genetic, neurocognitive, and psychosocial determinants of psychiatric disorders. Diagnostic assessments of psychiatric disorders. Evaluations that pursue hypotheses about the cause or causes of psychiatric diseases. Evaluations of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic psychiatric treatments. Basic neuroscience studies related to animal or neurochemical models for psychiatric disorders. Methodological advances, such as instrumentation, clinical scales, and assays directly applicable to psychiatric research.