60 Participants Needed

Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression

NS
DP
MS
Overseen ByMaddy Schier
Age: Any Age
Sex: Female
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Must be taking: Antidepressants
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a remote therapy called Engage & Connect for new mothers with postpartum depression. The therapy aims to reduce depression by encouraging social activities with significant others, helping mothers feel happier and less isolated.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants either be off antidepressants or on a stable dose for at least 8 weeks, with no plans to change the dose in the next 10 weeks. Other psychotropic drugs are generally not allowed, except for a small amount of lorazepam.

Is psychotherapy safe for treating postpartum depression?

Psychotherapy is generally considered safe for treating postpartum depression, as it does not pose risks to breastfeeding infants and can be used as a first-line treatment without medication.12345

What makes Engage & Connect Psychotherapy unique for treating postpartum depression?

Engage & Connect Psychotherapy is unique because it is a neuroscience-informed, streamlined approach specifically designed to address postpartum depression, focusing on enhancing interpersonal connections and emotional engagement, which are crucial during the transition to parenthood.56789

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Engage & Connect Psychotherapy for postpartum depression?

Research shows that psychotherapy, including interpersonal and mother-infant focused therapies, is effective in reducing symptoms of postpartum depression. These therapies improve mother-infant interactions and are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers, making them a recommended first-line treatment.510111213

Who Is on the Research Team?

NS

Nili Solomonov, PhD

Principal Investigator

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for new mothers 4-12 weeks post-delivery who are experiencing postpartum depression, as indicated by a score of ≥10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Participants should be either off antidepressants or on a stable dose for at least 8 weeks and speak English well. Those with severe psychiatric conditions other than certain anxiety disorders or specific phobias, using certain psychotropic drugs, or undergoing ongoing psychotherapy are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Speaks English proficiently
You scored 10 or higher on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
I am able to understand and agree to the research and treatment plan.
See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

I use no more than 0.5 mg of lorazepam daily or less.
You have a history of mental health conditions other than major depression, generalized anxiety, persistent depression, or specific phobias.
I am currently in psychotherapy, but not more than once every 8 weeks.
See 1 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the Engage & Connect psychotherapy or Symptom Review and Psychoeducation intervention remotely over 9 weeks

9 weeks
Weekly remote sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Engage & Connect
Trial Overview The study is testing 'Engage & Connect,' a new type of psychotherapy designed to help reduce postpartum depression. It involves 9 weeks of remote therapy sessions aimed at decreasing feelings of social isolation and improving how social rewards are processed, along with measuring changes in the severity of depression.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Symptom Review and PsychoeducationExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Engage & ConnectExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,103
Recruited
1,157,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly counseling, are effective as a standalone treatment for postpartum depression, making them a strong first-line option.
Unlike medication, psychotherapy poses no risks to breastfeeding infants, and there is emerging evidence that it may also help prevent postpartum depression, although further research is needed.
The prevention and psychotherapeutic treatment of postpartum depression.Stuart, S., O'Hara, MW., Gorman, LL.[2016]
A group-based interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) approach significantly reduced depression scores in 17 women diagnosed with postpartum depression, showing both immediate and lasting effects over a 6-month follow-up.
The study suggests that group IPT can be an effective treatment for postpartum depression, although limitations such as small sample size and lack of a control group may affect the reliability of the findings.
Interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for the group setting in the treatment of postpartum depression.Klier, CM., Muzik, M., Rosenblum, KL., et al.[2018]
Mother-infant interaction is crucial in treating postpartum depression, as infants are highly sensitive to their mothers' emotional states, which can significantly impact their development.
The paper discusses the need for tailored psychotherapeutic approaches for young mothers and presents an integrated treatment model that focuses on both the mother and infant to effectively address postpartum depression.
[Psychotherapy for postpartum depression with a focus on mother-infant interaction].Reck, C., Weiss, R., Fuchs, T., et al.[2018]

Citations

The prevention and psychotherapeutic treatment of postpartum depression. [2016]
Interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for the group setting in the treatment of postpartum depression. [2018]
[Psychotherapy for postpartum depression with a focus on mother-infant interaction]. [2018]
Family treatment for postpartum depression: acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary clinical outcomes. [2023]
Psychotherapy for postpartum depression: a preliminary report. [2022]
Feasibility of a mindfulness-based cognitive therapy group intervention as an adjunctive treatment for postpartum depression and anxiety. [2019]
A Blended Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for the Treatment of Postpartum Depression: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]
Antepartum and postpartum depression: healthy mom, healthy baby. [2021]
Internet therapy for postpartum depression: a case illustration of emailed therapeutic assistance. [2022]
The short- and long-term effectiveness of mother-infant psychotherapy on postpartum depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2020]
Interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: a systematic review. [2022]
The development and content of an interpersonal psychotherapy group for postnatal depression. [2012]
An approach to interpersonal psychotherapy for postpartum depression: focusing on interpersonal changes. [2022]
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