scholarly journals Effectiveness of Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Training on Maternal Perinatal Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaoyao Sun ◽  
Yanyan Li ◽  
Juan Wang ◽  
Qingyi Chen ◽  
Alessandra N Bazzano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perinatal Depression ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Group Time ◽  
Attention Control Group

BACKGROUND Despite potential for benefit, mindfulness remains an emergent area in perinatal mental health care, and evidence of smartphone-based mindfulness training for perinatal depression is especially limited. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone-based mindfulness training intervention during pregnancy on perinatal depression and other mental health problems with a randomized controlled design. METHODS Pregnant adult women who were potentially at risk of perinatal depression were recruited from an obstetrics clinic and randomized to a self-guided 8-week smartphone-based mindfulness training during pregnancy group or attention control group. Mental health indicators were surveyed over five time points through the postpartum period by online self-assessment. The assessor who collected the follow-up data was blind to the assignment. The primary outcome was depression as measured by symptoms, and secondary outcomes were anxiety, stress, affect, sleep, fatigue, memory, and fear. RESULTS A total of 168 participants were randomly allocated to the mindfulness training (n=84) or attention control (n=84) group. The overall dropout rate was 34.5%, and 52.4% of the participants completed the intervention. Mindfulness training participants reported significant improvement of depression (group × time interaction χ<sup>2</sup><sub>4</sub>=16.2, <i>P</i>=.003) and secondary outcomes (χ<sup>2</sup><sub>4</sub>=13.1, <i>P</i>=.01 for anxiety; χ<sup>2</sup><sub>4</sub>=8.4, <i>P</i>=.04 for positive affect) compared to attention control group participants. Medium between-group effect sizes were found on depression and positive affect at postintervention, and on anxiety in late pregnancy (Cohen d=0.47, –0.49, and 0.46, respectively). Mindfulness training participants reported a decreased risk of positive depressive symptom (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] score&gt;9) compared to attention control participants postintervention (odds ratio [OR] 0.391, 95% CI 0.164-0.930) and significantly higher depression symptom remission with different EPDS reduction scores from preintervention to postintervention (OR 3.471-27.986). Parity did not show a significant moderating effect; however, for nulliparous women, mindfulness training participants had significantly improved depression symptoms compared to nulliparous attention control group participants (group × time interaction χ<sup>2</sup><sub>4</sub>=18.1, <i>P</i>=.001). CONCLUSIONS Smartphone-based mindfulness training is an effective intervention in improving maternal perinatal depression for those who are potentially at risk of perinatal depression in early pregnancy. Nulliparous women are a promising subgroup who may benefit more from mindfulness training. CLINICALTRIAL Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900028521; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=33474

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Training on Maternal Perinatal Depression: Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/23410 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e23410
Author(s):  
Yaoyao Sun ◽  
Yanyan Li ◽  
Juan Wang ◽  
Qingyi Chen ◽  
Alessandra N Bazzano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perinatal Depression ◽  
Mindfulness Training ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Group Time ◽  
Attention Control Group

Background Despite potential for benefit, mindfulness remains an emergent area in perinatal mental health care, and evidence of smartphone-based mindfulness training for perinatal depression is especially limited. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone-based mindfulness training intervention during pregnancy on perinatal depression and other mental health problems with a randomized controlled design. Methods Pregnant adult women who were potentially at risk of perinatal depression were recruited from an obstetrics clinic and randomized to a self-guided 8-week smartphone-based mindfulness training during pregnancy group or attention control group. Mental health indicators were surveyed over five time points through the postpartum period by online self-assessment. The assessor who collected the follow-up data was blind to the assignment. The primary outcome was depression as measured by symptoms, and secondary outcomes were anxiety, stress, affect, sleep, fatigue, memory, and fear. Results A total of 168 participants were randomly allocated to the mindfulness training (n=84) or attention control (n=84) group. The overall dropout rate was 34.5%, and 52.4% of the participants completed the intervention. Mindfulness training participants reported significant improvement of depression (group × time interaction χ24=16.2, P=.003) and secondary outcomes (χ24=13.1, P=.01 for anxiety; χ24=8.4, P=.04 for positive affect) compared to attention control group participants. Medium between-group effect sizes were found on depression and positive affect at postintervention, and on anxiety in late pregnancy (Cohen d=0.47, –0.49, and 0.46, respectively). Mindfulness training participants reported a decreased risk of positive depressive symptom (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] score>9) compared to attention control participants postintervention (odds ratio [OR] 0.391, 95% CI 0.164-0.930) and significantly higher depression symptom remission with different EPDS reduction scores from preintervention to postintervention (OR 3.471-27.986). Parity did not show a significant moderating effect; however, for nulliparous women, mindfulness training participants had significantly improved depression symptoms compared to nulliparous attention control group participants (group × time interaction χ24=18.1, P=.001). Conclusions Smartphone-based mindfulness training is an effective intervention in improving maternal perinatal depression for those who are potentially at risk of perinatal depression in early pregnancy. Nulliparous women are a promising subgroup who may benefit more from mindfulness training. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900028521; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=33474

scholarly journals Supporting Family Caregivers With Technology for Dementia Home Care: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristine N Williams ◽  
Yelena Perkhounkova ◽  
Clarissa A Shaw ◽  
Maria Hein ◽  
Eric D Vidoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Available Technology ◽  
Attention Control Group

Abstract Background and Objectives The number of persons living with dementia (PLWD) in the United States will reach 16 million by 2050. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia challenge family caregivers and contribute to negative caregiver outcomes such as burden and depression. Available technology can support the delivery of effective interventions to families providing dementia care at home. The Supporting Family Caregivers with Technology for Dementia Home Care (FamTechCare) randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a telehealth intervention on caregiver outcomes. Research Design and Methods The FamTechCare intervention provides tailored dementia-care strategies to in-home caregivers based on video recordings caregivers submit of challenging care situations. An expert team reviews the videos and provides individualized interventions weekly for the experimental group. In the telephone-support attention control group, caregivers receive feedback from an interventionist via the telephone based on caregiver retrospective recall of care challenges. Effects of the intervention on caregiver outcomes, including burden, depression, sleep disturbance, competence, desire to institutionalize the PLWD, and caregiver reaction to behavioral symptoms were evaluated by fitting linear mixed regression models to changes in the outcomes measured at 1 and 3 months. Results FamTechCare caregivers (n = 42) had greater reductions in depression (p = .012) and gains in competence (p = .033) after 3 months compared to the attention control group (n = 41). Living in rural areas was associated with a reduction in depression for FamTechCare caregivers (p = .002). Higher level of education was associated with greater improvements or lesser declines in burden, competence, and reaction to behavioral symptoms for both the FamTechCare and attention control caregivers. Discussion and Implications This research demonstrated benefits of using available technology to link families to dementia care experts using video-recording technology. It provides a foundation for future research testing telehealth interventions, tailored based on rich contextual data to support families, including those in rural or remote locations.

scholarly journals A randomized controlled clinical trial of the effect of supportive counseling on mental health in Iranian mothers of premature infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Seiiedi-Biarag ◽  
Mojgan Mirghafourvand ◽  
Khalil Esmaeilpour ◽  
Shirin Hasanpour
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Premature Infants ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Postpartum Bonding ◽  
Supportive Counseling

Abstract Background Premature birth can affect maternal mental health. Considering that the mental health disorder in mothers may play a vital role in the growth and development of their children, therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of supportive counseling on mental health (primary outcome), mother-child bonding and infant anthropometric indices (secondary outcomes) in mothers of premature infants. Methods This randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 66 mothers with hospitalized neonates in the NICU of Alzahra hospital in Tabriz- Iran. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups of intervention (n = 34) and control (n = 32) through a block randomization method. The intervention group received 6 sessions of supportive counseling (45–60 minutes each session) by the researcher, and the control group received routine care. Questionnaires of Goldberg General Health and the postpartum bonding were completed before the intervention (first 72 hours postpartum) and 8 weeks postpartum. Also, the anthropometric index of newborns were measured at the same time. Results There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics. After the intervention, based on ANCOVA with adjusting the baseline score, mean score of mental health (AMD: -9.8; 95% Confident Interval (95% CI): -12.5 to -7.1; P < 0.001) and postpartum bonding (AMD: -10.0; 95% CI: -0.6 to 13.9; P < 0.001) in the counseling group was significantly lower than those of the control group; however, in terms of weight (P = 0.536), height (P = 0.429) and head circumference (P = 0.129), there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions Supportive counseling may improve mental health and postpartum bonding in mothers of premature infants. Thus, it may be recommendable for health care providers to offer it to mothers. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20120718010324N45. Date of registration: October 29, 2018.

Testing the Effects of the Shamiri Intervention and its Components on Anxiety, Depression, Wellbeing, and Academic Functioning in Kenyan Adolescents: Study Protocol for a Five-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine E. Venturo-Conerly ◽  
Tom L Osborn ◽  
Akash R Wasil ◽  
Huong Le ◽  
Emily Corrigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Over Time

Background: Treatments for youth mental disorders are a public health priority, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where treatment options remain limited due to high cost, elevated stigma, and lack of trained mental health professionals. Brief, accessible, and non-stigmatizing community-based interventions delivered by lay-providers may help address treatment needs in SSA. One such intervention, the Shamiri Intervention, consisting of three elements (growth mindset, gratitude, and value affirmation) has been tested in randomized controlled trials with school-going Kenyan adolescents. This three-element Shamiri Intervention has been shown to significantly reduce depression and anxiety symptoms and improve social support and academic performance relative to a control group. In this trial, we aim to investigate the effects of each element of the Shamiri Intervention.Methods: In this five-arm randomized controlled trial, we will test each of the intervention components (growth mindset, gratitude, and value affirmation) against the full Shamiri Intervention and against a study-skills control intervention. Students (Nplanned=1288) at participating secondary schools who are interested in participating in this universal intervention will be randomized in equal numbers into the five groups. The students will meet in groups of 8-15 students led by local high school graduate lay-providers. These lay-providers will receive 10 hours of training, plus expert supervision once a week throughout the intervention delivery. Multi-level models will be used to compare trajectories over time of the primary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, academic performance, and wellness) and secondary outcomes in each intervention group to the control group. Multi-level models will also be used to compare trajectories over time of the primary outcomes (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, academic performance, and wellness) and secondary outcomes of those in the single-element interventions compared to the full Shamiri Intervention. Finally, effect sizes (calculated as mean gain scores) will be used to compare all groups on all measures. Discussion: This trial will shed light on the mechanisms and outcomes targeted by each individual intervention, helping prioritize which mental health interventions are most important to disseminate.

Testing the Effectiveness of a Strengths-Based Intervention Targeting All 24 Strengths: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412093744
Author(s):  
Lobna Chérif ◽  
Valerie M. Wood ◽  
Christian Watier
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Character Strength ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Experimental Group

This study assessed the effectiveness of a strengths-based randomized controlled trial focused on fostering all 24 character strengths in a group of 75 participants from a University in Tunisia. Participants randomly assigned to the challenge condition (n = 40) received an email each day for 24 days, that highlighted a particular strength of the day including why the strength is valuable, how to implement the strength behaviourally, and a motto related to that strength. Those in the control condition (n = 35) simply received emails containing the motto for each strength daily for 24 days. We assessed all participants’ levels of happiness before the experiment (T0), the day following the experiment (T1), and one-month following the experiment (T2). Results from a 2 (group) X 3 (time) split plot ANOVA revealed a significant group-by-time interaction, such that at T2 the experimental group had greater happiness scores than the control group. These findings provide some evidence that even “minimalist” interventions (involving the receipt of emails encouraging character-strength development), might be effective for promoting gains in happiness even one month after the intervention.

scholarly journals StudiCare mindfulness—study protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating an internet- and mobile-based intervention for college students with no and “on demand” guidance

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Küchler ◽  
Dana Schultchen ◽  
Olga Pollatos ◽  
Morten Moshagen ◽  
David D. Ebert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cognitive Fusion ◽  
On Demand ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Background College is an exciting but also challenging time with an increased risk for mental health issues. Only a minority of the college students concerned get professional help, a problem that might be improvable by internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs). However, adherence of IMIs is a concern. While guidance might be a solution, it is resource-intensive, derailing potential implementation on population level. The first aim of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy of the IMI StudiCare Mindfulness (StudiCare-M) for college students with “on demand” and no guidance. The second aim is to examine potential moderators and mediators, contributing to the questions of “how” and “for whom” such interventions work. Methods In this three-armed randomized controlled trial, both an unguided and “guidance on demand” (GoD) condition of StudiCare-M are compared to a waitlist control group. StudiCare-M is based on principles of acceptance and commitment therapy and stress management and consists of 7 modules plus two booster sessions. Participants in the GoD condition may ask their e-coach for support whenever needed. A total of 387 college students with moderate to low mindfulness are recruited at 15+ cooperating universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland via circular emails. Assessments take place before as well as 1, 2, and 6 months after randomization. The primary outcome is mindfulness. Secondary outcomes include stress, depression, anxiety, interoception, presenteeism, wellbeing, intervention satisfaction, adherence, and potential side effects. Among examined moderators and mediators are sociodemographic variables, pre-treatment symptomatology, treatment expectancy, self-efficacy, cognitive fusion, emotion regulation, and alexithymia. All data will be analyzed according to intention-to-treat (ITT) principles. Discussion Providing effective interventions to help college students become more resilient can make a valuable contribution to the health and functionality of future society. If effective under the condition of minimal or no guidance, StudiCare-M offers a low-threshold potentially resource-efficient possibility to enhance college student mental health on a population level. Moderation- and mediation analyses will deliver further insights for optimization of target groups and intervention content. Trial registration WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform via the German Clinical Studies Trial Register DRKS00014774. Registered on 18 May 2018.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF A SIMULATION-BASED EMPATHY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM WITH MINDFULNESS ON SOCIAL WORKERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S297-S298
Author(s):  
Areum Han ◽  
Taehee Kim
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Stress ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Attention Control Group

Abstract Empathy enhancement programs and mindfulness-based practices may reduce care practitioners’ burnout and stress while increasing satisfaction, caring efficacy, and well-being. No study has been conducted to measure the effectiveness of a simulation-based empathy enhancement program combined with mindfulness practice on professionals working with older adults living alone. This study, therefore, assessed the effectiveness of a simulation-based empathy enhancement program with a brief mindfulness practice session on social workers working with older adults living alone. This study was a quasi-experimental study involving 105 social workers in South Korea. The experimental group received a simulation-based empathy enhancement program with mindfulness practice, and the attention control group watched a 30-minute-long educational video about empathy. Data were collected prior to the intervention and at two weeks after the intervention using self-reported questionnaires measuring empathy, caring efficacy, psychosocial stress, compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. The experimental group had significantly lower levels of psychosocial stress compared to the attention control group. Both groups showed significant improvements in empathy but in different empathy measures. Also, the experimental group only showed significantly lower levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress after the intervention while the attention control group only showed significant improvements in compassion satisfaction and caring efficacy. Although between-group differences were found in psychosocial stress only, pre-and post-test differences in different outcome measures from experimental and attention control groups indicate limited but possible effectiveness of each of the empathy enhancement programs on people in caring professionals.

scholarly journals “THE LAST THING I HAVE TIME FOR IS HEALTHY LIVING!” DEBRIEFING ATTENTION CONTROL GROUP PARTICIPANTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 223-224
Author(s):  
F Epps ◽  
P C Griffiths ◽  
J R Nocera ◽  
M Kovaleva ◽  
K Hepburn
Keyword(s):  
Attention Control ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Living ◽  
Attention Control Group

Economic evaluations of Internet interventions for mental health: a systematic review

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (16) ◽  
pp. 3357-3376 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Donker ◽  
M. Blankers ◽  
E. Hedman ◽  
B. Ljótsson ◽  
K. Petrie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Economic Evaluations ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Internet Interventions

Background.Internet interventions are assumed to be cost-effective. However, it is unclear how strong this evidence is, and what the quality of this evidence is.Method.A comprehensive literature search (1990–2014) in Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, NHS Economic Evaluations Database, NHS Health Technology Assessment Database, Office of Health Economics Evaluations Database, Compendex and Inspec was conducted. We included economic evaluations alongside randomized controlled trials of Internet interventions for a range of mental health symptoms compared to a control group, consisting of a psychological or pharmaceutical intervention, treatment-as-usual (TAU), wait-list or an attention control group.Results.Of the 6587 abstracts identified, 16 papers met the inclusion criteria. Nine studies featured a societal perspective. Results demonstrated that guided Internet interventions for depression, anxiety, smoking cessation and alcohol consumption had favourable probabilities of being more cost-effective when compared to wait-list, TAU, group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBGT), attention control, telephone counselling or unguided Internet CBT. Unguided Internet interventions for suicide prevention, depression and smoking cessation demonstrated cost-effectiveness compared to TAU or attention control. In general, results from cost-utility analyses using more generic health outcomes (quality of life) were less favourable for unguided Internet interventions. Most studies adhered reasonably to economic guidelines.Conclusions.Results of guided Internet interventions being cost-effective are promising with most studies adhering to publication standards, but more economic evaluations are needed in order to determine cost-effectiveness of Internet interventions compared to the most cost-effective treatment currently available.

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