Engaging rural young mothers in a technology-based intervention for depression

Digital Psychotherapies for Adults Experiencing Depressive Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression affects 5% of adults and it is a major cause of disability worldwide. Digital psychotherapies offer an accessible solution addressing this issue. This systematic review examines a spectrum of digital psychotherapies for depression, considering both their effectiveness and user perspectives.

OBJECTIVE

This review focuses on identifying (1) the most common types of digital psychotherapies, (2) clients' and practitioners' perspectives on helpful and unhelpful aspects, and (3) the effectiveness of digital psychotherapies for adults with depression.

METHODS

A mixed methods protocol was developed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search strategy used the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study Design (PICOS) framework covering 2010 to 2024 and 7 databases were searched. Overall, 13 authors extracted data, and all aspects of the review were checked by >1 reviewer to minimize biases. Quality appraisal was conducted for all studies. The clients' and therapists' perceptions on helpful and unhelpful factors were identified using qualitative narrative synthesis. Meta-analyses of depression outcomes were conducted using the standardized mean difference (calculated as Hedges g) of the postintervention change between digital psychotherapy and control groups.

RESULTS

Of 3303 initial records, 186 records (5.63%; 160 studies) were included in the review. Quantitative studies (131/160, 81.8%) with a randomized controlled trial design (88/160, 55%) were most common. The overall sample size included 70,720 participants (female: n=51,677, 73.07%; male: n=16,779, 23.73%). Digital interventions included "stand-alone" or non-human contact interventions (58/160, 36.2%), "human contact" interventions (11/160, 6.8%), and "blended" including stand-alone and human contact interventions (91/160, 56.8%). What clients and practitioners perceived as helpful in digital interventions included support with motivation and accessibility, explanation of task reminders, resources, and learning skills to manage symptoms. What was perceived as unhelpful included problems with usability and a lack of direction or explanation. A total of 80 studies with 16,072 participants were included in the meta-analysis, revealing a moderate to large effect in favor of digital psychotherapies for depression (Hedges g=-0.61, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.47; Z=-8.58; P<.001). Subgroup analyses of the studies with different intervention delivery formats and session frequency did not have a statistically significant effect on the results (P=.48 and P=.97, respectively). However, blended approaches revealed a large effect size (Hedges g=-0.793), while interventions involving human contact (Hedges g=-0.42) or no human contact (Hedges g=-0.40) had slightly smaller effect sizes.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital interventions for depression were found to be effective regardless of format and frequency. Blended interventions have larger effect size than those involving human contact or no human contact. Digital interventions were helpful especially for diverse ethnic groups and young women. Future research should focus on understanding the sources of heterogeneity based on intervention and population characteristics.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42021238462; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=238462.

Video-Delivered Family Therapy for Perinatal Women With Depressive Symptoms and Family Conflict: Feasibility, Acceptability, Safety, and Tolerability Results From a Pilot Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Although individual-level treatments exist for pregnant and postpartum women with depression, family conflict is a significant factor that can contribute to the development and severity of perinatal depressive symptoms. Yet, there is a lack of research on family therapy for perinatal women with moderate to severe depressive symptoms and family conflict. Further, research is needed on the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and tolerability of family therapies for perinatal depression that are delivered using Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant videoconferencing technology (VCT).

OBJECTIVE

This paper describes the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and tolerability of a VCT-based family therapeutic intervention, Resilience Enhancement Skills Training (REST), for perinatal women with moderate to severe depressive symptoms and moderate to high conflict with their family members.

METHODS

This paper includes data from an ongoing randomized trial that compares an experimental family therapeutic intervention (REST) to standard of care (VCT-based problem-solving individual therapy) for the treatment of moderate to severe depressive symptoms in perinatal women with moderate to high family conflict. Both interventions were delivered by masters-level therapists using VCT. A total of 83 perinatal women and their adult family members (N=166 individuals) were recruited for participation in the study. Feasibility, defined as therapist adherence to ≥80% of REST session content, was assessed in audio-recorded sessions by 2 expert raters. Acceptability was defined as ≥80% of families completing REST, including completion of ≥80% homework assignments and family report of satisfaction with REST. Completion of REST was assessed by review of therapist session notes, and satisfaction was assessed by participant completion of a web-based questionnaire. The Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition was administered to perinatal women by research assistants (blind to study group assignment) to assess safety, defined as a reduction in depressive symptoms during the treatment phase. The Family Environment Scale-Family Conflict subscale was administered by therapists to participants during the treatment phase to assess tolerability, defined as a reduction in family conflict during the treatment phase.

RESULTS

On average, the therapists achieved 90% adherence to REST session content. Of the families who started REST, 84% (32/38) of them completed REST, and on average, they completed 89% (8/9) of the homework assignments. Families reported satisfaction with REST. The results showed that REST is safe for perinatal women with moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and none discontinued due to worsened depressive symptoms. The results showed that REST is well tolerated by families, and no families discontinued due to sustained family conflict.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that REST is feasible, acceptable, safe, and tolerable for families. These findings will guide our interpretation of REST's preliminary effectiveness upon completion of outcome data collection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04741776; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04741776.

Investigating perspectives on e-health interventions to enhance maternal mental well-being: Results of a stakeholder interview

Peripartum mental disorders are highly prevalent conditions and associated with adverse outcomes for the mother, the infant and the whole family. Despite the high burden, help-seeking is low. E-mental health interventions could overcome help-seeking barriers and thus improve perinatal mental health. However, usage and adherence are rather low. This study aims to assess attitudes and needs of different stakeholder groups and to identify relevant topics to develop an intervention meeting the needs of pregnant and postpartum women and thus, increasing utilization and adherence. Therefore, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with pregnant women (n = 3), mothers (n = 4), women who have suffered from a postpartum mood disorder in the past (n = 5), gynaecologists (n = 5), and midwives (n = 5) were conducted. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic analysis. Almost half of the stakeholders reported previous experiences with e-mental health services. Anonymity, flexibility, promoting help-seeking, or bridging waiting-time for treatment as usual were regarded as the main benefits. Concerns regarding the usefulness of e-mental health interventions, absence of face-to-face contact or lack of integration into routine care were considered as barriers. With regard to the desired program content, six main topics were identified: pregnancy and puerperium, peripartum mood swings and disorders, support options, self-care, partnership, and fatherhood. Regarding preferred characteristics of e-mental health programs, stakeholders mentioned customizability, individual guidance, evaluation of user-feedback and continuous adoption, as well as a responsive and user-friendly design. Overall, online interventions for perinatal mental health were mainly considered as beneficial. Stakeholders underlined the high need for education regarding the use and effectiveness of e-mental health, to overcome concerns and obstacles and improve acceptability. Furthermore, developing customizable and individually-guided interventions were considered as promising to increase utilization of and adherence to e-mental health interventions.

A Family-Based Collaborative Care Model for Treatment of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Perinatal Women: Results from a Pilot Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND

Untreated perinatal depression and anxiety can have detrimental consequences on family function. Logistical barriers prevent many perinatal women from accessing treatment, and these barriers are compounded for women residing in rural areas. This paper describes a Family-Based Collaborative Care Model (FBCCM) that is designed to bypass barriers to increase access to care for depressed and anxious perinatal women in rural regions of the United States. The FBCCM includes the following two components: (1) a 10-session video-delivered family therapy treatment for perinatal depression and anxiety and (2) a video-delivered infant care provider training on addressing the parenting needs of depressed and anxious mothers.

OBJECTIVE

This paper describes the feasibility of implementing the FBCCM with families and infant care providers. Findings are presented on the preliminary effectiveness of the video-delivered family therapy treatment in reducing maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms, and family conflict.

METHODS

This pilot study was carried out using an implementation-effectiveness hybrid trial design without a comparison group. Changes in maternal depressive symptoms, maternal anxiety symptoms, and family conflict were measured at posttreatment, 3 months, and 6 months later.

RESULTS

On average, mothers (n=24) attended 9.79 (SD 1.02) sessions. On average, their family members (n=24) attended 9.42 (SD 1.28) sessions. A total of 31 infant care providers attended the training on addressing the parenting needs of depressed and anxious mothers. Mothers reported a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (P<.001) and anxiety symptoms (P<.001) from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. Mothers reported a significant reduction in conflict (P<.001), and their family members also reported a significant reduction in conflict (P=.007) from baseline to the 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings from this study provide support for the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the FBCCM. The findings will be used to inform a larger study of the FBCCM.

A Video-Delivered Family Therapeutic Intervention for Perinatal Women with Clinically Significant Depressive Symptoms and Family Conflict: Indicators of Feasibility and Acceptability (Preprint)

Background

Variation in family therapeutic intervention fidelity has an impact on outcomes. The use of video conferencing technology can strengthen therapist fidelity to family therapeutic interventions.

Objective

This article explores indicators of feasibility and acceptability for a video-delivered family therapeutic intervention for perinatal women with depressive symptoms and family conflict. The objectives of this article are to describe indicators of feasibility, including therapist fidelity to the intervention and technological factors that relate to implementation of the intervention, as well as indicators of acceptability for participants of the intervention.

Methods

The data included in this article are from an ongoing randomized trial of the Resilience Enhancement Skills Training (REST) video-delivered family therapeutic intervention. Participant recruitment and data collection are still underway for this clinical trial. Of the 106 participants who are currently enrolled in this study, 54 (51%) have been randomized to receive REST from May 2021 through July 2022. Currently, 2 therapists are delivering the intervention, and the training procedures for therapists are summarized herein. Therapist fidelity to the family therapeutic intervention was assessed in 67 audio recorded sessions. The training procedures were summarized for use of video conferencing technology by therapists and the 54 study participants. Knowledge of the video conferencing technology features was assessed in therapists and study participants by the number of attempts required to use the features. Participant responsiveness to the intervention was assessed by the percentage of attended sessions and percentage of complete homework assignments.

Results

To date, both therapists have demonstrated high fidelity to the family therapeutic intervention and used all video conferencing technology features on their first attempt. The current participants required 1 to 3 attempts to use 1 or more of the video conferencing technology features. About 59% (n=32) of the current participants immediately accessed the features on the first attempt. Our results show that perinatal women attended all sessions, and their family members attended 80% of the sessions. To date, participants have completed 80% of the homework assignments.

Conclusions

These early findings describe indicators of the feasibility and acceptability of the video-delivered family therapeutic intervention for use with this high priority population. Upon completion of recruitment and data collection, a subsequent article will include a mixed methods process evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of the video-delivered family therapeutic intervention.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04741776; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04741776

Feasibility of a mHealth Approach to Nutrition Counseling in an Appalachian State

West Virginia is a rural state with an aging population that may experience barriers to accessing nutritional and lifestyle counseling. This study examined feasibility of an online personalized nutrition tracking application, Good Measures (GM), with patients at seven health care clinics throughout the state. Fourteen healthcare providers and 64 patients 18 years or older with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 and access to the Internet were recruited for this 12-week feasibility study. Patient participants logged meals and exercise into the GM application via smart phone, tablet, or computer and virtually engaged with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) in one-on-one sessions. The primary endpoint was to examine feasibility of the program by usage of the application and feedback questions regarding the benefits and challenges of the application. Participants were predominately white (92%) and female (76%). Minimal improvements in weight and systolic blood pressure were found. Participant attitude survey data declined from 4-weeks to 12-weeks of the intervention. Interestingly though, patients in a rural clinic had lesser declines in attitudes than peri-urban participants. Qualitative feedback data identified participants predominately had a positive overall feeling toward the approach. Participants expressed favorability of RDN access, the variety of foods, but did give suggestions for in-person meetings and more updating of the application. Implementing a technology approach to nutrition in rural areas of West Virginia using a mobile application with RDN access may be one strategy to address public health issues such as obesity.