Meals + Social Support for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

(MWB Trial)

Overseen By Christine Garner, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Disqualifiers: Type 1 diabetes, Severe food allergy, Eating disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

84 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment MamaMatters, MamaMeals for postpartum depression and anxiety?

Research shows that social support can help reduce postpartum depression symptoms, and the MamaMatters, MamaMeals treatment includes social support as a key component. Additionally, studies indicate that addressing modifiable factors like social support can improve postpartum depressive symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the treatment MamaMatters, MamaMeals different from other treatments for postpartum depression and anxiety?

MamaMatters, MamaMeals is unique because it combines meal support with social support, which can help reduce postpartum depression and anxiety by addressing both nutritional needs and the emotional benefits of social interaction. This approach is different from traditional treatments that may focus solely on medication or therapy. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This project aims to understand the local feasibility and acceptability of MamaMeals (a home-delivered nutritious, postpartum meal delivery program) and MamaMatters (a moderated social media-based peer support group) among peripartum women who are eligible for federal supplemental nutrition assistance programs such as The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The investigators will conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) of these two interventions among postpartum individuals. Analyses will be performed to determine the relative risk of postpartum depressive or anxiety symptoms (primary outcome) and overall well-being and maternal/infant health (secondary/exploratory outcomes) between groups. Findings from this pilot intervention study will inform a future, large RCT exploring the effectiveness of MamaMeals and/or MamaMatters on reducing postpartum mental health symptoms and cardiovascular morbidity among individuals with food insecurity during and after pregnancy.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking women aged 18 or older who are 20-40 weeks pregnant, experiencing food insecurity, or qualify for Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, TANF. It's not for those hospitalized for mental health in the past year, with an active eating disorder, history of social media banishment, postpartum psychosis, type 1 diabetes or severe dietary restrictions.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 20 and 40 weeks pregnant.

Screen positive for food insecurity or qualify for any of the following governmental assistance programs Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, TANF

Exclusion Criteria

Active eating disorder (self-reported)

I do not have severe food allergies or conditions like IBD, celiac, kidney disease, or a history of major gut surgery.

I have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive the MamaMeals and/or MamaMatters interventions to assess feasibility and acceptability

12 weeks

Regular check-ins via social media and meal delivery

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for postpartum depressive or anxiety symptoms and overall well-being

4 weeks

Extension

Wait-list control group receives MamaMeals between 16-20 weeks postpartum

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• MamaMatters
• MamaMeals

Trial Overview The study tests MamaMeals (nutritious meal delivery) and MamaMatters (social support group) against a control group to see if they reduce symptoms of postpartum depression/anxiety and improve well-being and maternal/infant health among women with financial struggles related to food during/post-pregnancy.

Participant Groups

Group I: Dual interventions Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Receive both interventions: MamaMeals and MamaMatters Interventions

Group II: Meals intervention only Active Control 2 Interventions

MamaMeals

Group III: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Wait-list control (received MamaMeals between 16-20 weeks postpartum) (after primary data collection time point)

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

107

Recruited

11,500+

Findings from Research

Adolescent mothers (ages 17 to 24) in a pilot study reported high satisfaction with a mobile phone-based peer support intervention aimed at preventing postpartum depression, with 100% stating they would recommend it to a friend.

Participants felt they received valuable emotional, informational, and appraisal support from their peer mentors, highlighting the importance of trust, empathy, and social skills in the effectiveness of peer support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adolescent Mothers' Perceptions of a Mobile Phone-Based Peer Support Intervention. Chyzzy, B., Nelson, LE., Stinson, J., et al.[2021]

A study involving 42 high-risk mothers for postpartum depression showed that those receiving telephone-based peer support had significantly lower depressive symptoms at both 4 and 8 weeks compared to those receiving standard care.

The majority of mothers in the peer support group reported high satisfaction with the intervention, indicating that this approach could be a promising and acceptable method for reducing postpartum depression symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of peer support on postpartum depression: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Dennis, CL.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Postpartum depression effects on early interactions, parenting, and safety practices: a review. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prenatal social support, postnatal social support, and postpartum depression. [2022]

3. Austria pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modifiable factors associated with changes in postpartum depressive symptoms. [2016]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Associations of Breastfeeding and Postnatal Experiences With Postpartum Depression Among Mothers of Hospitalized Infants in Tertiary Hospitals. [2022]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychosocial and psychological interventions for prevention of postnatal depression: systematic review. [2022]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship between social support and post-discharge mental health symptoms in mothers of preterm infants. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Postpartum Women With Depressive Symptoms Manage Sleep Disruption and Fatigue. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adolescent Mothers' Perceptions of a Mobile Phone-Based Peer Support Intervention. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of peer support on postpartum depression: a pilot randomized controlled trial. [2022]

10. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Addressing the needs of new mothers in a multi-cultural setting: an evaluation of home visiting support for new mothers - Mom to Mom (Negev). [2019]