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Dekel S, Papadakis JE, Quagliarini B, Pham CT, Pacheco-Barrios K, Hughes F, Jagodnik KM, Nandru R. Preventing posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:610-641.e14. [PMID: 38122842 PMCID: PMC11168224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.12.013] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Women can develop posttraumatic stress disorder in response to experienced or perceived traumatic, often medically complicated, childbirth; the prevalence of these events remains high in the United States. Currently, no recommended treatment exists in routine care to prevent or mitigate maternal childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials that evaluated any therapy to prevent or treat childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder. DATA SOURCES PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PubMed (MEDLINE), ClinicalTrials.gov, CINAHL, ProQuest, Sociological Abstracts, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched for eligible trials published through September 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Trials were included if they were interventional, if they evaluated any therapy for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder for the indication of symptoms or before posttraumatic stress disorder onset, and if they were written in English. METHODS Independent coders extracted the sample characteristics and intervention information of the eligible studies and evaluated the trials using the Downs and Black's quality checklist and Cochrane's method for risk of bias evaluation. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate pooled effect sizes of secondary and tertiary prevention trials. RESULTS A total of 41 studies (32 randomized controlled trials, 9 nonrandomized trials) were reviewed. They evaluated brief psychological therapies including debriefing, trauma-focused therapies (including cognitive behavioral therapy and expressive writing), memory consolidation and reconsolidation blockage, mother-infant-focused therapies, and educational interventions. The trials targeted secondary preventions aimed at buffering childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder usually after traumatic childbirth (n=24), tertiary preventions among women with probable childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (n=14), and primary prevention during pregnancy (n=3). A meta-analysis of the combined randomized secondary preventions showed moderate effects in reducing childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms when compared with usual treatment (standardized mean difference, -0.67; 95% confidence interval, -0.92 to -0.42). Single-session therapy within 96 hours of birth was helpful (standardized mean difference, -0.55). Brief, structured, trauma-focused therapies and semi-structured, midwife-led, dialogue-based psychological counseling showed the largest effects (standardized mean difference, -0.95 and -0.91, respectively). Other treatment approaches (eg, the Tetris game, mindfulness, mother-infant-focused treatment) warrant more research. Tertiary preventions produced smaller effects than secondary prevention but are potentially clinically meaningful (standardized mean difference, -0.37; -0.60 to -0.14). Antepartum educational approaches may help, but insufficient empirical evidence exists. CONCLUSION Brief trauma-focused and non-trauma-focused psychological therapies delivered early in the period following traumatic childbirth offer a critical and feasible opportunity to buffer the symptoms of childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Future research that integrates diagnostic and biological measures can inform treatment use and the mechanisms at work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Dekel
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | | | | | - Christina T Pham
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Lima, Peru
| | - Francine Hughes
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kathleen M Jagodnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Rasvitha Nandru
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Mesquita A, Costa R, Dikmen-Yildiz P, Faria S, Silvestrini G, Mateus V, Vousoura E, Wilson CA, Felice E, Ajaz E, Hadjigeorgiou E, Hancheva C, Contreras-García Y, Domínguez-Salas S, Motrico E, Soares I, Ayers S. Changes to women's childbirth plans during the COVID-19 pandemic and posttraumatic stress symptoms: a cross-national study. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024; 27:393-403. [PMID: 38102527 PMCID: PMC11116223 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01403-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
A considerable number of women giving birth during COVID-19 pandemic reported being concerned about changes to their childbirth plans and experiences due to imposed restrictions. Research prior to the pandemic suggests that women may be more at risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) due to unmet expectations of their childbirth plans. Therefore, this study aimed to examine if the mismatch between women's planned birth and actual birth experiences during COVID-19 was associated with women's postpartum PTSS. Women in the postpartum period (up to 6 months after birth) across 11 countries reported on childbirth experiences, mental health, COVID-19-related factors, and PTSS (PTSD checklist DSM-5 version) using self-report questionnaires (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04595123). More than half (64%) of the 3532 postpartum women included in the analysis reported changes to their childbirth plans. All changes were significantly associated with PTSS scores. Participants with one and two changes to their childbirth plans had a 12% and 38% increase, respectively, in PTSS scores compared to those with no changes (Exp(β) = 1.12; 95% CI [1.06-1.19]; p < 0.001 and Exp(β) = 1.38; 95% CI [1.29-1.48]; p < 0.001). In addition, the effect of having one change in the childbirth plan on PTSS scores was stronger in primigravida than in multigravida (Exp(β) = 0.86; 95% CI [0.77-0.97]; p = 0.014). Changes to women's childbirth plans during the COVID-19 pandemic were common and associated with women's postpartum PTSS score. Developing health policies that protect women from the negative consequences of unexpected or unintended birth experiences is important for perinatal mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Mesquita
- School of Psychology, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
- ProChild CoLab Against Poverty and Social Exclusion - Association (ProChild CoLAB) Campus de Azurém, 4800-058, Guimarães, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Raquel Costa
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, n° 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, n° 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
- Hei-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab, Lusófona University, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Susana Faria
- Centre of Mathematics, Department of Mathematics, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal
| | | | - Vera Mateus
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Eleni Vousoura
- Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Claire A Wilson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ethel Felice
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Erilda Ajaz
- Department of Education and English Language, Beder University College, Tirana, Albania
| | - Eleni Hadjigeorgiou
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Science, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
| | | | - Yolanda Contreras-García
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Puericultura Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | | | - Emma Motrico
- Department of Psychology, University of Loyola, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Isabel Soares
- School of Psychology, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Susan Ayers
- Department of Psychology, University of Loyola, Sevilla, Spain
- Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Deforges C, Sandoz V, Noël Y, Avignon V, Desseauve D, Bourdin J, Vial Y, Ayers S, Holmes EA, Epiney M, Horsch A. Single-session visuospatial task procedure to prevent childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder: a multicentre double-blind randomised controlled trial. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3842-3850. [PMID: 37759037 PMCID: PMC10730415 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02275-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Preventive evidence-based interventions for childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CB-PTSD) are lacking. Yet, 18.5% of women develop CB-PTSD symptoms following an unplanned caesarean section (UCS). This two-arm, multicentre, double-blind superiority trial tested the efficacy of an early single-session intervention including a visuospatial task on the prevention of maternal CB-PTSD symptoms. The intervention was delivered by trained maternity clinicians. Shortly after UCS, women were included if they gave birth to a live baby, provided consent, and perceived their childbirth as traumatic. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or attention-placebo group (allocation ratio 1:1). Assessments were done at birth, six weeks, and six months postpartum. Group differences in maternal CB-PTSD symptoms at six weeks (primary outcomes) and six months postpartum (secondary outcomes) were assessed with the self-report PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and by blinded research assessors with the Clinician-administered PTSD scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). Analysis was by intention-to-treat. The trial was prospectively registered (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03576586). Of the 2068 women assessed for eligibility, 166 were eligible and 146 were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 74) or attention-placebo control group (n = 72). For the PCL-5, at six weeks, a marginally significant intervention effect was found on the total PCL-5 PTSD symptom count (β = -0.43, S.E. = 0.23, z = -1.88, p < 0.06), and on the intrusions (β = -0.73, S.E. = 0.38, z = -1.94, p < 0.0525) and arousal (β = -0.55, S.E. = 0.29, z = -1.92, p < 0.0552) clusters. At six months, a significant intervention effect on the total PCL-5 PTSD symptom count (β = -0.65, S.E. = 0.32, z = -2.04, p = 0.041, 95%CI[-1.27, -0.03]), on alterations in cognition and mood (β = -0.85, S.E. = 0.27, z = -3.15, p = 0.0016) and arousal (β = -0.56, S.E. = 0.26, z = -2.19, p < 0.0289, 95%CI[-1.07, -0.06]) clusters appeared. No group differences on the CAPS-5 emerged. Results provide evidence that this brief, single-session intervention carried out by trained clinicians can prevent the development of CB-PTSD symptoms up to six months postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Deforges
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Vania Sandoz
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Yvonnick Noël
- Department of Psychology, Rennes 2 University, Rennes, France
| | - Valérie Avignon
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
- Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - David Desseauve
- Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Julie Bourdin
- Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Yvan Vial
- Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Susan Ayers
- Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Manuella Epiney
- Department of Woman, Child and Teenager, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antje Horsch
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland.
- Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland.
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Dekel S, Papadakis JE, Quagliarini B, Jagodnik KM, Nandru R. A Systematic Review of Interventions for Prevention and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Following Childbirth. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.17.23294230. [PMID: 37693410 PMCID: PMC10485880 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.17.23294230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective Postpartum women can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in response to complicated, traumatic childbirth; prevalence of these events remains high in the U.S. Currently, there is no recommended treatment approach in routine peripartum care for preventing maternal childbirth-related PTSD (CB-PTSD) and lessening its severity. Here, we provide a systematic review of available clinical trials testing interventions for the prevention and indication of CB-PTSD. Data Sources We conducted a systematic review of PsycInfo, PsycArticles, PubMed (MEDLINE), ClinicalTrials.gov, CINAHL, ProQuest, Sociological Abstracts, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Scopus through December 2022 to identify clinical trials involving CB-PTSD prevention and treatment. Study Eligibility Criteria Trials were included if they were interventional, evaluated CB-PTSD preventive strategies or treatments, and reported outcomes assessing CB-PTSD symptoms. Duplicate studies, case reports, protocols, active clinical trials, and studies of CB-PTSD following stillbirth were excluded. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods Two independent coders evaluated trials using a modified Downs and Black methodological quality assessment checklist. Sample characteristics and related intervention information were extracted via an Excel-based form. Results A total of 33 studies, including 25 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 8 non-RCTs, were included. Trial quality ranged from Poor to Excellent. Trials tested psychological therapies most often delivered as secondary prevention against CB-PTSD onset (n=21); some examined primary (n=3) and tertiary (n=9) therapies. Positive treatment effects were found for early interventions employing conventional trauma-focused therapies, psychological counseling, and mother-infant dyadic focused strategies. Therapies' utility to aid women with severe acute traumatic stress symptoms or reduce incidence of CB-PTSD diagnosis is unclear, as is whether they are effective as tertiary intervention. Educational birth plan-focused interventions during pregnancy may improve maternal health outcomes, but studies remain scarce. Conclusions An array of early psychological therapies delivered in response to traumatic childbirth, rather than universally, in the first postpartum days and weeks, may potentially buffer CB-PTSD development. Rather than one treatment being suitable for all, effective therapy should consider individual-specific factors. As additional RCTs generate critical information and guide recommendations for first-line preventive treatments for CB-PTSD, the psychiatric consequences associated with traumatic childbirth could be lessened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Dekel
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joanna E. Papadakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Beatrice Quagliarini
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jagodnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rasvitha Nandru
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Fort D, Deforges C, Messerli-Bürgy N, Michael T, Baud D, Lalor J, Rimmele U, Horsch A. Tackling childbirth-related intrusive memories with a single-session behavioural intervention involving a visuospatial task: protocol for a single-blind, waitlist-controlled randomised trial. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073874. [PMID: 37247964 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 12.3% of mothers experience childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS). However, evidence-based interventions to treat CB-PTSS are lacking. Intrusive memories (IM), a key CB-PTSS, are distressing and can trigger other PTSS by reliving the traumatic event. Emerging evidence shows that a behavioural intervention involving a visuospatial task (BI-VT) can reduce the number of IM and PTSS, supposedly by interfering with the reconsolidation of the trauma memory. This study aims to test the efficacy of a single-session BI-VT targeting IM to reduce the number of childbirth-related (CB-)IM and PTSS, in comparison to a waitlist control group (WCG). METHODS AND ANALYSIS In this multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial being undertaken at one regional and one university hospital in Switzerland, 60 participants will be allocated to the Immediate Intervention Group (IIG), receiving the immediate intervention on day 15, and 60 participants to the WCG receiving the delayed intervention on day 30. All participants will report their CB-IM during the 2 weeks preimmediate and postimmediate intervention in diaries. The IIG will additionally report their CB-IM over weeks 5 and 6 postimmediate intervention. Self-report questionnaires will assess CB-PTSS at 2 weeks preimmediate and postimmediate intervention in both groups, and at 6 weeks postimmediate intervention in the IIG. A feedback questionnaire will evaluate the intervention acceptability. The primary outcome will be group differences in the number of CB-IM between the 2 weeks preimmediate and postimmediate intervention. Secondary outcomes will be CB-PTSS at 2 and 6 weeks postimmediate intervention, the number of CB-IM at weeks 5 and 6 postimmediate intervention, and intervention acceptability. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval was granted by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Canton of Vaud (study number 202200652). Participants will provide an informed consent before study participation. Results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05381155.
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Affiliation(s)
- Déborah Fort
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Camille Deforges
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Messerli-Bürgy
- Family and Development Research Center (FADO), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Michael
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - David Baud
- Materno-Fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joan Lalor
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ulrike Rimmele
- Emotion and Memory Laboratory, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (CISA), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antje Horsch
- Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Neonatology Service, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
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