Preventing postnatal depression in mothers of very preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether a cognitive-behaviour therapy intervention program reduces the prevalence of depression during the first postnatal year in mothers of very preterm babies.


METHODS
Prospective, single blind, randomised, controlled study.


METHODS
Perinatal centre in Western Australia.


METHODS
One hundred and ninety-nine out of 673 English-speaking mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal unit.


METHODS
A six-session cognitive-behaviour therapy intervention program provided by a research midwife between weeks two and six after birth. Women in the control group received standard care.


METHODS
Depression and anxiety disorders occurring in the first year assessed by a clinical psychologist at structured interview using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) at 2 weeks, 2, 6 and 12 months.


RESULTS
One hundred and one women were randomised to the intervention group and 98 to the control group. Fifty-four mothers (27%) in the trial were diagnosed with minor or major depression in the 12 months following very preterm delivery, 29 (29%) in the intervention group and 25 (26%) in the control group (relative risk 1.1 [95% CI 0.80-1.5]). There were no differences in the time of onset or the duration of the episodes of depression between the groups. Overall, 74 mothers (37%) of the 199 met criteria for a diagnosis of psychological morbidity during the first year.


CONCLUSIONS
Our intervention program did not alter the prevalence of depression in these mothers. Rates of depression and stress reactions are high in these mothers.
Hagan
Ronald
R
School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Australia.
Evans
Sharon F
SF
Pope
Sherryl
S
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method