Efficacy of the “7mind”-app as intervention to prevent postpartum depression in a low-risk sample group

Introduction

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a severe complication in the postpartum period and equals a major depression occurring in the first weeks after delivery. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased incidence of PPD was observed. For this reason, we conducted an intervention study to test the effectiveness of the “7mind”-app, an app-based mindfulness training program, in the prevention of PPD.

Methods

For this purpose, 145 women who gave birth between March and September 2021 were observed up to six months postpartum, with 80 women using the “7mind”-app. The BSF (Berlin Mood Questionnaire) and the EPDS (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were used to measure depressive symptoms at different time points and were supplemented by questionnaires regarding COVID-related anxieties.

Results

The BSF showed a significant improvement over time in the categories “anxiety” (p < .001) and “fatigue” (p < .001). Regarding the EPDS, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups. With a mean EPDS of 7.6 prepartum and 7.4 postpartum, our sample group can be classified as a low-risk collective. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the control and intervention groups with regard to COVID-19-related anxiety. However, a comparison of the correlation analysis of COVID-19-related fears over time showed a clear advantage of the intervention. In particular, fear of the consequences of maternal COVID-19 infection increased significantly in the control group over time (r = 0.98, p = 0.040), while there was no significant change in the intervention group (r = −0.39, p = 0.218).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the intervention with the app “7mind” seems to lead to a clear benefit in the prevention of general anxiety and COVID-19-related anxieties, but needs further research to represent a valid intervention for the prevention of PPD.