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Xie H, Cong S, Wang R, Sun X, Han J, Ni S, Zhang A. Effect of eHealth interventions on perinatal depression: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2024; 354:160-172. [PMID: 38490593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal depression (PND) is a common mental health problem, and eHealth interventions may provide a strategy for alleviating PND. AIM This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of eHealth interventions on PND. METHODS Six databases were searched to retrieve published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of eHealth interventions on PND. A meta-analysis was performed on the data of these studies using a random effects model. RESULTS A total of 21 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, which revealed that eHealth interventions significantly reduced antenatal depression (WMD = -1.64, 95 % CI [-2.92, -0.35], P = .013), postpartum depression (SMD = -0.41, 95 % CI [-0.52, -0.29], P < .001), anxiety (SMD = -0.39, 95 % CI [-0.51, -0.28], P < .001), stress (WMD = -2.93, 95 % CI [-4.58, -1.27], P = .001), and improved self-efficacy (SMD = 0.42, 95 % CI [0.21, 0.63], P < .001) compared with the control group. However, eHealth interventions did not significantly improve social support (SMD = 0.27, 95 % CI [-0.01, 0.56], P = .058). For antenatal depression, significant subgroup differences were observed in the digital platform and material presentation format. In addition, for postpartum depression, significant subgroup differences were found in the type of therapy. CONCLUSIONS The meta-analysis results suggest that eHealth interventions can relieve depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and improve self-efficacy in perinatal women. However, these interventions did not improve social support. Additional high-quality studies on eHealth interventions in PND are needed to validate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Xie
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shengnan Cong
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Jiangsu, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Central South University Xiangya School of Nursing, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingjing Han
- School of Nursing, Suzhou University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shiqian Ni
- School of Nursing, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Aixia Zhang
- Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital, Jiangsu, China.
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Lewkowitz AK, Whelan AR, Ayala NK, Hardi A, Stoll C, Battle CL, Tuuli MG, Ranney ML, Miller ES. The effect of digital health interventions on postpartum depression or anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:12-43. [PMID: 37330123 PMCID: PMC10721728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the effect of digital health interventions compared with treatment as usual on preventing and treating postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. DATA SOURCES Searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. STUDY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS The systematic review included full-text randomized controlled trials comparing digital health interventions with treatment as usual for preventing or treating postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS Two authors independently screened all abstracts for eligibility and independently reviewed all potentially eligible full-text articles for inclusion. A third author screened abstracts and full-text articles as needed to determine eligibility in cases of discrepancy. The primary outcome was the score on the first ascertainment of postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety symptoms after the intervention. Secondary outcomes included screening positive for postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety --as defined in the primary study --and loss to follow-up, defined as the proportion of participants who completed the final study assessment compared with the number of initially randomized participants. For continuous outcomes, the Hedges method was used to obtain standardized mean differences when the studies used different psychometric scales, and weighted mean differences were calculated when studies used the same psychometric scales. For categorical outcomes, pooled relative risks were estimated. RESULTS Of 921 studies originally identified, 31 randomized controlled trials-corresponding to 5532 participants randomized to digital health intervention and 5492 participants randomized to treatment as usual-were included. Compared with treatment as usual, digital health interventions significantly reduced mean scores ascertaining postpartum depression symptoms (29 studies: standardized mean difference, -0.64 [95% confidence interval, -0.88 to -0.40]; I2=94.4%) and postpartum anxiety symptoms (17 studies: standardized mean difference, -0.49 [95% confidence interval, -0.72 to -0.25]; I2=84.6%). In the few studies that assessed screen-positive rates for postpartum depression (n=4) or postpartum anxiety (n=1), there were no significant differences between those randomized to digital health intervention and treatment as usual. Overall, those randomized to digital health intervention had 38% increased risk of not completing the final study assessment compared with those randomized to treatment as usual (pooled relative risk, 1.38 [95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.62]), but those randomized to app-based digital health intervention had similar loss-to-follow-up rates as those randomized to treatment as usual (relative risk, 1.04 [95% confidence interval, 0.91-1.19]). CONCLUSION Digital health interventions modestly, but significantly, reduced scores assessing postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety symptoms. More research is needed to identify digital health interventions that effectively prevent or treat postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety but encourage ongoing engagement throughout the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam K Lewkowitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI; Center for Digital Health, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI.
| | - Anna R Whelan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Nina K Ayala
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Angela Hardi
- Becker Medical Library, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Carrie Stoll
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Cynthia L Battle
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Methodius G Tuuli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Megan L Ranney
- Center for Digital Health, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI; Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Emily S Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI
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Levitan RD, Atkinson L, Knight JA, Hung RJ, Wade M, Jenkins JM, Bertoni K, Wong J, Murphy KE, Lye SJ, Matthews SG. Maternal major depression during early pregnancy is associated with impaired child executive functioning at 4.5 years of age. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023:S0002-9378(23)02115-4. [PMID: 38042244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.11.1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal depression is a serious condition that affects up to 1 in 7 pregnancies. Despite evidence linking maternal depression to pregnancy complications and adverse fetal outcomes, there remain large gaps in its identification and treatment. More work is needed to define the specific timing and severity of depression that most urgently requires intervention, where feasible, to protect maternal health and the developing fetus. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine whether the timing and severity of maternal depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy affect child executive functioning at age 4.5 years. Executive functioning in the preschool years is a strong predictor of both school readiness and long-term quality of life. STUDY DESIGN This longitudinal observational pregnancy cohort study included a sample of 323 mother-child dyads taking part in the Ontario Birth Study, an open pregnancy cohort in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Maternal symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed at 12 to 16 and 28 to 32 weeks of gestation and at the time of child testing at age 4.5 years using the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Child executive functioning was measured during a home visit using standardized computerized administration of the Flanker test (a measure of attention) and the Dimensional Change Card Sort (a measure of cognitive flexibility). Stepwise linear regressions, controlling for possible confounding variables, were used to assess the predictive value of continuous measures of maternal depression and/or anxiety symptoms at each assessment time on the Flanker test and Dimensional Change Card Sort. Posthoc general linear models were used to assess whether maternal depression severity categories (no symptom, mild symptoms, or probable major depressive disorder) were helpful in identifying children at risk. RESULTS Across all children, after controlling for potential confounds, greater maternal depressive symptoms at weeks 12 to 16 weeks of gestation predicted worse performance on both the Flanker test (ΔR2=0.058; P<.001) and the Dimensional Change Card Sort (ΔR2=0.017; P=.018). Posthoc general linear modeling further demonstrated that the children of mothers meeting the screening criteria for major depression in early pregnancy scored 11.3% lower on the Flanker test and 9.8% lower on the Dimensional Change Card Sort than the children of mothers without maternal depressive symptoms in early pregnancy. Mild depressive symptoms had no significant effect on executive function scores. There was no significant effect of anxiety symptoms or maternal antidepressant use in early pregnancy or pandemic conditions or maternal symptoms in later pregnancy or at the time of child testing on either the Flanker or Dimensional Change Card Sort results. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that fetal exposure to maternal major depression, but not milder forms of depression, at 12 to 16 weeks of gestation is associated with impaired executive functioning in the preschool years. Child executive functioning is crucial for school readiness and predicts long-term quality of life. This emphasizes an urgent need to improve the recognition and treatment of maternal major depression, particularly in early pregnancy, to limit its negative effects on the patient and on child cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Levitan
- Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Leslie Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julia A Knight
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rayjean J Hung
- Prosserman Centre for Population Health Research, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark Wade
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer M Jenkins
- Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kashtin Bertoni
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jody Wong
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kellie E Murphy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute of Sinai Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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