Internet-based behavioral activation treatment for postnatal depression (Netmums): a randomized controlled trial
Internet-based behavioral activation treatment for postnatal depression (Netmums): a randomized controlled trial
Background: Despite the high prevalence of postnatal depression (PND), few women seek help. The internet may increase timely access to treatment. We report a randomized controlled trial of a minimal intervention internet Behavioral Activation (iBA) treatment modified to address postnatal specific concerns (Postnatal-iBA).
Methods: Women (n=910) recruited via a popular UK parenting site, Netmums.com, scoring above 12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were randomly assigned to receive either Postnatal-iBA delivered or treatment-as-usual (TAU). We investigated the feasibility (recruitment, trial and treatment adherence) and effectiveness (depression status EPDS >12) of the intervention.
Results: Recruitment was excellent; 1261 women, 961 of whom met inclusion criteria, signed up to the trial within two 2-week recruitment periods. Thirty-eight percent (343/910) of women completed the 15-week outcome assessment. Of those who completed 15-week assessment, fewer exceeded the depression cutoff in the Postnatal-iBA group (n=66/181) compared to TAU (n=91/162). Assuming all non-respondents remained depressed, the Postnatal-iBA effect was reduced.
Limitations: The study suffered from high attrition and future trials need to consider strategies for improving outcome completion. Some women reported struggles "keeping up" with the treatment.
Conclusions: A minimal support, widely accessible internet Behavioral Activation program for PND is feasible to deliver to community populations when embedded within popular parenting sites. For women who provide outcome data, postnatal-iBA offers promise as an effective treatment for PND. The addition of support may reduce women's struggles to keep pace with the treatment.
postnatal depression, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, online cbt, depression, randomized controlled trial
O'Mahen, Heather A.
1738063f-7935-48a0-ad8e-0d8955b53b48
Woodford, Joanne
809c68d1-94cf-4115-bda8-dac7464788b8
McGinley, Julie
3768c7e9-957f-451c-bb80-031b680d99db
Warren, Fiona C.
bab70ba8-cbd5-4419-a9b2-9b0d716d068e
Richards, David A.
dea0c511-c589-425c-9d67-45346bc65a85
Lynch, Thomas R.
29e90123-0aef-46c8-b320-1617fb48bb20
Taylor, Rod S.
82254133-e8df-4e13-98d2-a556868d4d26
O'Mahen, Heather A.
1738063f-7935-48a0-ad8e-0d8955b53b48
Woodford, Joanne
809c68d1-94cf-4115-bda8-dac7464788b8
McGinley, Julie
3768c7e9-957f-451c-bb80-031b680d99db
Warren, Fiona C.
bab70ba8-cbd5-4419-a9b2-9b0d716d068e
Richards, David A.
dea0c511-c589-425c-9d67-45346bc65a85
Lynch, Thomas R.
29e90123-0aef-46c8-b320-1617fb48bb20
Taylor, Rod S.
82254133-e8df-4e13-98d2-a556868d4d26
O'Mahen, Heather A., Woodford, Joanne, McGinley, Julie, Warren, Fiona C., Richards, David A., Lynch, Thomas R. and Taylor, Rod S.
(2013)
Internet-based behavioral activation treatment for postnatal depression (Netmums): a randomized controlled trial.
Journal of Affective Disorders.
(doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.03.005i).
(PMID:23602514)
Abstract
Background: Despite the high prevalence of postnatal depression (PND), few women seek help. The internet may increase timely access to treatment. We report a randomized controlled trial of a minimal intervention internet Behavioral Activation (iBA) treatment modified to address postnatal specific concerns (Postnatal-iBA).
Methods: Women (n=910) recruited via a popular UK parenting site, Netmums.com, scoring above 12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were randomly assigned to receive either Postnatal-iBA delivered or treatment-as-usual (TAU). We investigated the feasibility (recruitment, trial and treatment adherence) and effectiveness (depression status EPDS >12) of the intervention.
Results: Recruitment was excellent; 1261 women, 961 of whom met inclusion criteria, signed up to the trial within two 2-week recruitment periods. Thirty-eight percent (343/910) of women completed the 15-week outcome assessment. Of those who completed 15-week assessment, fewer exceeded the depression cutoff in the Postnatal-iBA group (n=66/181) compared to TAU (n=91/162). Assuming all non-respondents remained depressed, the Postnatal-iBA effect was reduced.
Limitations: The study suffered from high attrition and future trials need to consider strategies for improving outcome completion. Some women reported struggles "keeping up" with the treatment.
Conclusions: A minimal support, widely accessible internet Behavioral Activation program for PND is feasible to deliver to community populations when embedded within popular parenting sites. For women who provide outcome data, postnatal-iBA offers promise as an effective treatment for PND. The addition of support may reduce women's struggles to keep pace with the treatment.
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Accepted/In Press date: 7 March 2013
e-pub ahead of print date: 17 April 2013
Keywords:
postnatal depression, cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, online cbt, depression, randomized controlled trial
Organisations:
Psychology
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 351074
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/351074
ISSN: 0165-0327
PURE UUID: f88c06c3-6b5d-465c-afc9-151fba1e8776
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Date deposited: 15 Apr 2013 12:56
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:32
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Contributors
Author:
Heather A. O'Mahen
Author:
Joanne Woodford
Author:
Julie McGinley
Author:
Fiona C. Warren
Author:
David A. Richards
Author:
Rod S. Taylor
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