60 Participants Needed

Smartphone App for Postpartum Support

TK
Overseen ByTamar Krishnamurti, PhD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Female
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
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 aims to determine if a smartphone app can assist new mothers in Pennsylvania with postpartum support. Researchers seek to evaluate the app's usability, its ability to meet new parents' needs, and its effectiveness in helping users understand important postpartum symptoms and positive parenting ideas. Mothers who have recently given birth and have smartphone access for at least two months can participate. Participants will use the app for eight weeks and share their experiences through surveys. As an unphased trial, this study provides new mothers the opportunity to contribute to innovative postpartum care solutions.

What prior data suggests that this smartphone app is safe for postpartum support?

Research has shown that smartphone apps for postpartum support are generally safe for new mothers. Studies have found that these apps can help mothers manage postpartum depression and anxiety without risk. Updated guidelines suggest using these apps as a safe way to support postpartum care.

In another study, participants reported that a similar app was easy to use and helpful for managing postpartum depression. This indicates that mobile apps are well-received and do not cause negative effects.

Overall, evidence suggests that using a smartphone app for postpartum support is safe and may help new mothers during this important time.12345

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for postpartum support involve in-person therapy, support groups, or medications. However, this new postpartum support app offers a unique, tech-driven approach by providing accessible mental health resources directly on a smartphone. Researchers are excited because this app can reach new mothers who might not have easy access to traditional support systems. Additionally, the app's design allows for flexible use, fitting into the busy schedules of new moms. By collecting real-time data through surveys, it also helps tailor the support to individual needs, potentially improving outcomes compared to conventional methods.

What evidence suggests that this smartphone app is effective for postpartum support?

Research shows that smartphone apps can be helpful for new mothers. For example, the Smart Mama app greatly reduced feelings of depression and anxiety after childbirth. Another study found that a similar app helped lessen symptoms of postpartum depression in mothers. However, some research suggests these apps might not significantly impact parenting skills. Overall, digital tools seem promising for aiding recovery after childbirth, especially in managing mood and stress. In this trial, all participants will access a postpartum support app to evaluate its effectiveness over an 8-week period.36789

Who Is on the Research Team?

TK

Tamar Krishnamurti, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for new mothers in Pennsylvania who are in the postpartum period. Participants will use a smartphone app designed to provide support after childbirth and must be willing to engage with it for 8 weeks while providing feedback through surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 45 years old.
Can participate in English
Has smartphone access for at least two months (study duration)
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Does not have smartphone for at least two months (study duration)
Did NOT recently deliver one or two live births at hospital recruitment site
I am either younger than 18 or older than 45.
See 1 more

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants use a postpartum support app on their smartphones for 8 weeks and answer survey questions about their experience

8 weeks
Surveys at day 10, week 4, and week 8

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in knowledge and attitudes regarding postpartum symptoms and positive parenting

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Smartphone application

Trial Overview

The study is testing a digital maternal support tool (smartphone app) to see if it's user-friendly, meets the needs of new parents, improves understanding of postpartum symptoms, and promotes positive parenting attitudes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

1

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Postpartum support appExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,820
Recruited
16,360,000+

Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11

Collaborator

Citations

Effectiveness of Smart Mama application on postpartum ...

The Smart Mama intervention significantly reduced postpartum depressive symptoms and anxiety. This study provides empirical evidence and novel ...

Smartphone Application to Support Mothers at Risk ...

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The development of the postpartum mobile support ...

The study aimed to develop the postpartum mobile support application to support postpartum mothers and to examine the effects of the use of mobile app on ...

Digital Tools to Support Postpartum Recovery

This systematic review investigates the use of digital health technologies to assess their value in helping postpartum women return to PA. ...

Effects of perinatal mobile apps for couples on psychosocial ...

These findings indicate that perinatal mobile applications may have limited impact on psychosocial and parenting outcomes in the early postpartum period.

Smartphone Application to Support Mothers at Risk ...

Effectiveness of a Smartphone Application for Mothers at High Risk for Postpartum Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial Abstract.

Comprehensively addressing postpartum maternal health

Updated ACOG guidelines have promoted the use of mobile app-based support in postpartum care [18]. This review has shown that while some peripartum apps ...

Acceptability of an mHealth App for Monitoring Perinatal and ...

This study aims to assess the acceptability of using mHealth to monitor and assess perinatal and postpartum depression and anxiety.

Consumer acceptance of using a digital technology to ...

Participants reported that MamaLift Plus is an acceptable, highly usable, and practical mobile tool to use weekly for the management of their PPD.