title: Antenatal group therapy improves worry and depression symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antenatal anxiety and depression occur in approximately 20% of pregnant women with potentially deleterious effects to mother and child. While effective in reducing symptoms, some pregnant women are often reluctant to take psychotropic medications. We tested the effectiveness of group therapy to provide worry and depression symptom relief.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women (N=38) in 15-28 weeks of gestation were recruited to antenatal Psychotherapy Groups using either interpersonal or mindfulness based therapy. We collected data at three times, upon intake to and at completion of the group and at four weeks postpartum. Descriptive, Chi-square, and GEE analyses were used to compare depression and worry symptoms with a matched control group of pregnant women (N=68).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Small sample size in both groups required a matched control group with no randomization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Attending group therapy significantly reduced worry and depression symptoms over pregnancy into the postpartum compared to women receiving no therapy. There was no difference in symptom reduction between different types of groups attended.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Engaging pregnant women in group therapy can significantly improve worry and depression symptoms, with lasting effects.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Marilyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baetz
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balbuena
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Nazeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muhajarine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome