Antepartum Study on Use of Interpersonal Psychotherapy at 3 New York City Site
Condition: Depression
MeSH terms: Depression
Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 4

Summary: 
      This study will evaluate the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in treating
      pregnant women with depression.
    

Detailed description: 
      The prevalence of antepartum depression (APD) increases twofold in women with poor social
      supports, low socioeconomic status (SES), and negative life events. APD may cause low birth
      weight, premature labor, and eclampsia. APD is also one of the best predictors of postpartum
      depression (PPD), which in turn may lead to impaired emotional and cognitive development of
      the infant. Therefore, early treatment of APD is important for the well-being of both the
      woman and her infant. Forms of psychotherapy have been successful in treating depression in
      the general population, but more research is necessary to determine the safest and most
      effective means of treating depression in pregnant women. Interpersonal psychotherapy targets
      interpersonal events and relationships. Interpersonal psychotherapy adapted for ADP may be
      effective in reducing depression, preventing PPD, and improving maternal infant attachment.
      This study will compare the effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in
      pregnancy (IPT-P) with a parenting education program (PEP) in treating depressed pregnant
      women who may be affected by SES and psychosocial factors.

      Participation in this single-blind study will last through 6 months postpartum. Potential
      participants will first undergo initial screening, which will include a 90-minute interview
      with a psychiatrist and a mood assessment with an independent evaluator. Eligible
      participants will then be randomly assigned to receive 12 weeks of either IPT-P or PEP.
      Participants in both groups will attend 45-minute weekly sessions prior to delivery of their
      babies. At each visit, participants will complete questionnaires about mood, anxiety,
      mother-infant bonding, and daily function. Participants receiving IPT-P will learn ways to
      address emotional stressors associated with childbirth and will be regularly contacted by a
      therapist to discuss feelings and emotions. Participants receiving PEP will learn about the
      stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and early infant development.

      After delivery, participants will receive weekly phone calls from a therapist during the
      first 4 weeks. All participants will then return for five evaluation visits, occurring at
      Weeks 4, 8, 12, 26, and 24 postpartum. During these visits, a therapist will evaluate
      participants' moods and mother-infant attachment and will refer participants to treatment if
      needed. The first four visits will be individual evaluations and the last visit will be a
      group meeting with other mothers and their infants.
    

Intervention name(s): Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression in pregnancy; Parenting education program (PEP)
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): IPT-P will include 45-minute weekly sessions for 12 weeks. During sessions, participants will learn ways to address emotional stressors associated with childbirth.; PEP will include 45-minute weekly sessions for 12 weeks. During sessions, participants will learn about the stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and early infant development.
Other intervention name(s): psychotherapy; PEP
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Pregnancy; Antepartum Depression; Major Depression