title: [Effectiveness of a manualized cognitive-behavioural intervention for postnatal depression].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Important guidelines recommend cognitive-behavioural interventions for postnatal depression but in the clinical practice they are not really diffused. This study describes the results and effectiveness of a structured cognitive-behavioural intervention implemented in a public mental health department.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 54 depressed women drawn from a community screening programme for postnatal depression in Bergamo province. Intervention was conducted on group and individual basis following a cognitive-behavioural programme of 10-15 weeks duration, including at least one partner session and adhered to a structured manual. Baseline and post intervention measures of depression and health were collected through validated rating scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following treatment, a significant improvement was demostrated on Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Short Form-12. The improvements were manteined after a 12 mounths follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are encouraging and suggest that brief and structured cognitive behavioral interventions can be effective as a treatment for depression in postnatal period and routinely implemented in the clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Salute Mentale, Azienda Ospedaliera di Treviglio, Bergamo. danielle.piecentini@tin.it
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: Fiorino
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mirabella
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leveni
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Primerano
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cattaneo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biffi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rozzoni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arcaini
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gigantesco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans