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Guided web app intervention for reducing symptoms of depression in postpartum women: Results of a feasibility
Pamela Franco1,2, Marcia Olhaberry2,3, Saskia Kelders4,5
1Doctoral Program in Psychotherapy, School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile.
Background:
Chile faces a significant postpartum depression prevalence and treatment gap, necessitating accessible interventions. While cognitive-behavioral internet-based interventions have proven effective in high-income countries, this field is underdeveloped in Chile. Based on the country's widespread use of digital technology, a guided 8-week cognitive-behavioral web app intervention named "Mamá, te entiendo" was developed.
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of "Mamá, te entiendo", for reducing depressive symptomatology in postpartum women.
Methods:
Sixty-five postpartum women with minor or major depression were randomly assigned to either intervention or waitlist. Primary outcomes centered on study feasibility, intervention feasibility, and acceptability. Semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample enriched the understanding of participants' experiences. Secondary outcomes included mental health variables assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up.
Results:
Chilean women displayed great interest in the intervention. 44.8 % of participants completed the intervention. Participants reported high satisfaction and engagement levels, with interviewees highlighting the value of the intervention's content, exercises, and therapist's feedback. However, preliminary efficacy analysis didn't reveal a significant interaction between group and time for outcome measures.
Discussion:
This research represents a pioneering effort in Chile to evaluate an internet-based intervention for postpartum depression symptoms. The demonstrated feasibility and acceptability highlight the potential of integrating technology-driven approaches into mental health interventions. However, the intervention did not demonstrate superiority, as both groups exhibited similar positive progress in several outcomes. Therefore, the following research phase should involve a larger and more diverse sample to assess the intervention's effectiveness, identify influencing factors, and determine the individuals who benefit the most.
