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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how a meal delivery program, MamaMeals, and a peer support group, MamaMatters, can reduce postpartum depression and anxiety. Researchers aim to determine if these services improve the mental health and overall well-being of new mothers experiencing food insecurity. Participants will receive either meals, both meals and social support, or be part of a control group for comparison. Pregnant women who speak English and qualify for programs like WIC or SNAP might be suitable candidates. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance support for new mothers facing food insecurity.

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 prior data suggests that these interventions are safe for postpartum women?

Research shows that the MamaMeals and MamaMatters programs are under study for their effects on postpartum depression and anxiety. While specific safety data for these programs from past studies is not available, they emphasize nutrition and social support, which are generally safe.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health. Studies have examined how certain foods can aid in managing postpartum depression and anxiety. This indicates that a healthy meal program like MamaMeals could be beneficial without major safety concerns.

Similarly, social support networks, such as those in MamaMatters, are commonly used to enhance mental health. These networks enable individuals to share experiences and advice and are typically well-received.

Since this trial is not in its early stages, major safety issues with these types of programs are unlikely. Participants can expect the trial to focus on improving well-being rather than encountering known risks from the programs themselves. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments because they offer a fresh approach to tackling postpartum depression and anxiety. Unlike standard treatments that typically involve medication and therapy, MamaMeals and MamaMatters focus on providing nutritional support and social connection. MamaMeals delivers specially designed meals to support new mothers' physical health, while MamaMatters provides a structured social support system to enhance emotional well-being. This combination is thought to address the condition more holistically, potentially offering quicker and more sustainable relief by targeting both the body and mind.

What evidence suggests that MamaMeals and MamaMatters could be effective for postpartum depression and anxiety?

Research has shown that programs like MamaMeals, which deliver healthy meals to the home, can help reduce symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. In this trial, some participants will receive only the Meals intervention. One study found that technology-based methods, including meal delivery, effectively eased these mental health issues in new mothers.

Similarly, social support groups like MamaMatters have significantly lowered depression and anxiety. In this trial, some participants will receive both interventions: MamaMeals and MamaMatters. These groups offer a space for new mothers to share experiences and connect with others, which can enhance mental well-being. Both approaches aim to support the mental health of postpartum women and show promise in improving mood and anxiety levels. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

Citations

1. bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com bmcnurs.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12912-025-03072-2

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 ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6492376/

Consequences of maternal postpartum depression Another study highlighted that depressed mothers at 3 months postpartum were more likely to exhibit an anxiety disorder than nondepressed mothers at 6 months ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2024/1/e53236/

Investigating the Effectiveness of Technology-Based Distal ... Conclusions: Technology-based distal interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety in birth mothers.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10400812/

Postpartum Depression and Maternal Care: Exploring the ... This review article aims to explore the complex effects of PPD on mothers and infants, focusing on maternal care.

5. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/391052799_Effectiveness_of_Smart_Mama_application_on_postpartum_depression_anxiety_and_maternal-infant_bonding_among_women_during_the_postnatal_period_a_randomized_controlled_trial

Effectiveness of Smart Mama application on postpartum ... Conclusion and implications The Smart Mama intervention significantly reduced postpartum depressive symptoms and anxiety. This study provides ...

6. mchb.hrsa.gov mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline | MCHB - HRSA Some common signs of postpartum depression are: Feeling sad or hopeless most of the time; Having no interest in things you used to enjoy; Not caring for ...

7. internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com internationalbreastfeedingjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13006-025-00734-4

Association between postpartum anxiety and depression and ... Postpartum anxiety and depression symptoms decreased the odds of breastfeeding practices among mothers of children under two years old in Clark County, Nevada.

8. mamamatters.com.au mamamatters.com.au/blog/thinking-beyond-sleep-training-as-a-sole-treatment-for-postpartum-depression-z2d2m

Thinking beyond sleep training as a sole treatment for ... How effective is sleep training and manipulating our babies' needs in favour of our own at helping every single case of postpartum depression ...