Anxiety & Depression Association of America

Engage & Connect: A Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression

Purpose

This randomized controlled trial compares a novel psychotherapy, Engage & Connect, with a Symptom Review and Psychoeducation intervention, tailored to reduce postpartum depression. The study includes 9-weeks interventions, delivered remotely. It will examine changes in social isolation, processing of social rewards and depression severity over 9 weeks of treatment.

Condition

Postpartum Depression

Eligibility

Eligible Ages: All ages
Eligible Genders: Female
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Inclusion Criteria

Up to 1 year post-delivery 2. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 10. 3. Off antidepressants or on a stable dose of an antidepressant for 8 weeks and do not intend to change the dose in the next 10 weeks. 4. Capacity to provide consent for research assessment and treatment. 5. Speaks English proficiently

Exclusion Criteria

Intent or plan to attempt suicide in the near future 2. Ongoing psychotherapy (no more than once every 8 weeks or during the duration of the intervention) 3. Active substance abuse or dependence 4. Severe fetal anomalies, stillbirth or infant death at time of enrollment for index pregnancy 5. History or presence of psychiatric diagnoses other than major depressive disorder without psychotic features, generalized anxiety disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or specific phobia. 6. Use of psychotropic drugs or cholinesterase inhibitors other than use of ≤ 0.5 mg of lorazepam daily up to seven times per week.

Study Design

Phase: N/A
Study Type: Interventional
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

Arm	Description	Assigned Intervention
Experimental Engage & Connect		Behavioral: Engage & Connect (E&C) Engage & Connect, is a remotely-delivered extension of Engage psychotherapy. It is aimed to increase engagement in rewarding social activities and in turn, reduce postpartum depression. In each session, the therapist will work with the patient to develop "action plans" to pursue rewarding social activities of their choice with the goal of reducing social isolation.
Experimental Symptom Review and Psychoeducation		Behavioral: Symptom Review and Psychoeducation (SRP) SPR is a remotely-delivered intervention aimed to increase knowledge of postpartum depression and monitor mental health changes. In each session, the therapist will review the participant's symptoms and discuss information related to postpartum depression and changes after birth.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status: Recruiting
Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Study Contact

Nili Solomonov, PhD
844 999 8746
nis2051@med.cornell.edu

Detailed Description

Postpartum depression is linked with decreased motivation to seek rewarding activities and enjoyment of pleasurable experiences. Social isolation and low perceived social support predict persistence of postpartum depression. Engagement in rewarding social activities with significant others may increase motivation and enjoyment, motivating utilization of a therapy that addresses social isolation and reward response. The investigators developed Engage & Connect (E&C), a 9-week psychotherapy program that focuses on increasing meaningful social activities with significant others. This study will be a pilot Randomized Controlled Trial that will compare the 9-week E&C course for mothers with postpartum depression with a Symptom Review and Psychoeducation condition (SRP) for mothers with postpartum depression.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.