Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-dh8gc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T07:38:54.561Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Intervening to reduce depression after birth: A systematic review of the randomized trials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2004

Judith Lumley ,
Marie-Paule Austin  and
Creina Mitchell
Judith Lumley
Affiliation:
La Trobe University
Marie-Paule Austin
Affiliation:
University of New South Wales
Creina Mitchell
Affiliation:
La Trobe University
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials of nonpharmaceutical and nonhormonal interventions to reduce postnatal depression was carried out to summarize the effectiveness of interventions grouped in terms of the nature and timing of the intervention and whether the trial population was universal, selective, or indicated.

Keywords

DepressionPostnatal careRandomized controlled trialReview literatureMaternal welfare
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , April 2004 , pp. 128 - 144
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Altman DG. 1998; Confidence intervals for the number needed to treat. BMJ. 317: 1309– 1312.Google Scholar
Appleby L, Warner R, Whitton A, Faragher B. 1997; A controlled study of fluoxetine and cognitive-behavioural counselling in the treatment of postnatal depression. BMJ. 314: 932– 936.Google Scholar
Armstrong KL, Fraser JA, Dadds MR, Morris J. 1999; A randomized controlled trial of nurse home visiting to vulnerable families with newborns. J Paediatr Child Health. 35: 237– 244.Google Scholar
Armstrong KL, Fraser JA, Dadds MR, Morris J. 2000; Promoting secure attachment, maternal mood and child health in a vulnerable population: A randomised controlled trial. J Paediatr Child Health. 36: 555– 562.Google Scholar
Austin M-P, Lumley J. 2003; Antenatal screening for postnatal depression: A systematic review. Acta Pyschiatr Scand. 107: 10– 17.Google Scholar
Barnett B, Lockhart K, Bernard D, Manicavasager V, Dudley M. 1999; Mood disorders among mothers of infants admitted to a mothercraft hospital. J Paediatr Child Health. 29: 270– 275.Google Scholar
Beck CT. 2001; Predictors of postpartum depression: An update. Nurs Res. 50: 275– 285.Google Scholar
Biro MA, Waldenström U, Pannifex J. 2000; Team midwifery care in a tertiary level obstetric service: A randomized controlled trial. Birth. 27: 174– 176.Google Scholar
Biro MA, Pannifex J, Tippett C, Merriel R, Brown S, Waldenström U. 1999: Collaborative Pregnancy Care/Team Midwifery Project. Final evaluation report, Commonwealth Birthing Services Program—Victoria; 38.
Boath E, Henshaw C. 2001; The treatment of postnatal depression: A comprehensive literature review. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 18: 215– 248.Google Scholar
Borenstein M, Rothstein H. 1999. Comprehensive meta-analysis. A computer program for research synthesis. Englewood, NJ: Biostat;
Brown S, Lumley J. 1998; Maternal health after childbirth: Results of an Australian population-based survey. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 105: 156– 161.Google Scholar
Brown S, Lumley J. 2000; Physical health problems after childbirth and maternal depression at six to seven months postpartum. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 107: 1194– 1201.Google Scholar
Brugha TS, Wheatley S, Taub NA, et al. 2000; Pragmatic randomised trial of an antenatal intervention to prevent post-natal depression by reducing psychosocial risk factors. Psychol Med. 30: 1273– 1281.Google Scholar
Brugha TS, Sharp HM, Cooper SA, et al. 1998; The Leicester 500 Project. Social support and the development of postnatal depressive symptoms, a prospective cohort survey. Psychol Med. 28: 63– 79.Google Scholar
Buist A, Westley D, Hill C. 1998; Antenatal prevention of postnatal depression. Arch Womens Mental Health. 1: 1– 7.Google Scholar
Carter AS, Garrity-Rokous FE, Chazan-Cohen R, Little C, Briggs-Gowan MJ. 2001; Maternal depression and co-morbidity: Predicting early parenting, attachment security and toddler social-emotional problems and competencies. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 40: 18– 26.Google Scholar
Chabrol H, Teissedre F, Saint-Jean M, et al. 2002; Dépistage, prevention et traitement des depressions du post-partum: Une é tude contrôlée chez 859 sujets. L'Encéphale. XXVIII: 65– 70.Google Scholar
Chabrol H, Teissedre F, Saint-Jean M, et al. 2002; Prevention and treatment of post-partum depression. A controlled randomized study on women at risk. Psychol Med. 32: 1039– 1047.Google Scholar
Chen C-H, Tseng Y-F, Chou F-H, Wang S-Y. 2000; Effects of group support intervention in postnatally distressed women. A controlled study in Taiwan. J Psychosom Res. 49: 395– 399.Google Scholar
Civic D, Holt VL. Maternal depressive symptoms and child behavior problems in a nationally representative normal birthweight sample. Maternal Child Health J. 4: 215– 221.
Cooper PJ, Tomlinson M, Swartz L, et al. 1999; Post-partum depression and the mother-infant relationship in a South African peri-urban settlement. Br J Psychiatry. 75: 554– 558.Google Scholar
Cooper PJ, Landman M, Tomlinson M, et al. 2002; Impact of a mother-infant intervention in an indigent peri-urban South African context: Pilot study. Br J Psychiatry. 180: 76– 81.Google Scholar
Cooper P, Murray L, Wilson A, Romaniuk H. 2003; Controlled trial of the short- and long-term effect of psychological treatment of post-partum depression. I. Impact on maternal mood. Br J Psychiatry. 182: 412– 419.Google Scholar
Cox JL. 1989; Postnatal depression: A serious and neglected postpartum complication. Baillieres Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 3: 839– 855.Google Scholar
Cox JL, Murray D, Chapman G. 1993; A controlled study of the onset, duration and prevalence of postnatal depression. Br J Psychiatry. 163: 27– 31.Google Scholar
Dennis C-L, Kavanagh J. 2002. Psychosocial interventions for preventing postpartum depression [protocol]. In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, Oxford: Update Software.
Dennis C-L. 2003; The effect of peer support in postpartum depression: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Can J Psychiatry. 48: 115– 124.Google Scholar
Department of Human Services, Victoria. 1997. Maternal and child health program. Annual Report 1995-96. Melbourne: Department of Human Services;
Donner A, Klar N. 2000. Design and analysis of cluster randomisation trials in health research. London: Arnold;
Elliott SA, Leverton TJ, Sanjack M, et al. 2000; Promoting mental health after childbirth: A controlled trial of primary prevention of postnatal depression. Br J Clin Psychol. 39: 223– 241.Google Scholar
Elliott SA. 1989; Psychological strategies in the prevention and treatment of postnatal depression. Baillieres Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 3: 879– 903.Google Scholar
Evins GG, Theofrastus JP, Galvin S. 2000; Postpartum depression: A comparison of screening and routine clinical evaluation. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 182: 1080– 1082.Google Scholar
Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Thorpe K. 1996; Changes in depression during and following pregnancy. ALSPAC Study Team. Study of pregnancy and children. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 10: 279– 293.Google Scholar
Field T, Grizzle N, Scafidi F, Schanberg S. 1996; Massage and relaxation therapies” effects on depressed adolescent mothers. Adolescence. 31: 903– 911.Google Scholar
Fleming AS, Klein E, Corter C. 1992; The effects of a social support group on depression, maternal attitudes and behaviour in new mothers. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 33: 685– 698.Google Scholar
Glazener C, Abdella M, Stroud P, et al. 1995; Postnatal maternal morbidity: Extent, causes, prevention and treatment. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 102: 282– 287.Google Scholar
Gordon NP, Walton D, McAdam E, et al. Effects of providing hospital-based doulas in health maintenance organization hospitals. Obstet Gynecol. 1999; 3: 422– 426.Google Scholar
Gordon RE, Gordon KK, Englewood N. 1959; Social factors in the prediction and treatment of emotional disorders of pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 77: 1074– 1083.Google Scholar
Gordon RE, Gordon KK. 1960; Social factors in prevention of postpartum emotional problems. Obstet Gynecol. 15: 433– 437.Google Scholar
Gordon RE, Kapostins EE, Gordon KK. 1965; Factors in postpartum emotional adjustments. Obstet Gynecol. 25: 158– 166.Google Scholar
Granger AC, Underwood MR. 2001; Review of the role of progesterone in the management of postnatal mood disorders. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol. 22: 49– 55.Google Scholar
Green JM, Murray D. 1994: The use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in research to explore the relationship between antenatal and postnatal dysphoria. In: Cox J, Holden J, editors. Perinatal psychiatry: Use and misuse of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. London: Gaskell [Royal College of Psychiatrists]; 180– 198.
Gunn J, Lumley J, Chondros P, Young D. 1998; Does an early postnatal check-up improve maternal health: Results from a randomised trial in Australian general practice. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 105: 991– 997.Google Scholar
Gunn J, Lumley J, Young D. 1996; Visits to general practitioners in the first six months of life.J Paediatr Child Health. 32: 310– 315.Google Scholar
Gunn J, Lumley J, Young D. 1998, The role of the general practitioner in postnatal care: A survey from Australian general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 48, 1570– 74.Google Scholar
Harris B, Oretti R, Lazarus J. 2002; Randomised trial of thyroxine to prevent postnatal depression in thyroid-antibody-positive women. Br J Psychiatry. 180: 327– 330.Google Scholar
Hay DF, Pawlby S, Sharp D, et al. 2001; Intellectual problems shown by 11-year-old children whose mothers had postnatal depression. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 42: 871– 889.Google Scholar
Hayes BA, Muller R, Bradley BS. 2001; Perinatal depression: A randomised controlled trial of an antenatal education intervention for primiparas. Birth. 28: 28– 35.Google Scholar
Heinicke CM, Fineman NR, Ruth G, et al. 1999; Relationship-based intervention with at-risk mothers: Outcome in the first year of life. Infant Mental Health J. 20: 349– 374.Google Scholar
Hiscock H, Wake M. 2002; Randomised controlled trial of behavioural infant sleep intervention to improve infant sleep and maternal mood. BMJ. 324: 1062– 1065.Google Scholar
Hobfoil SE, Ritter C, Lavin J, Hulsizer MR. 1995; Depression prevalence and incidence among inner-city pregnant and postpartum women. J Consult Clin Psychol. 63: 445– 453.Google Scholar
Hodnett ED. 2002. Support during pregnancy for women at increased risk of low birthweight babies. (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, Oxford: Update Software.
Hodnett ED. 2002. Caregiver support for women during childbirth. (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, Oxford: Update Software.
Hodnett ED, Lowe NK, Hannah ME, et al. 2002; Effectiveness of nurses as providers of birth support in North American Hospitals. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 288: 1373– 1381.Google Scholar
Hoffbrand S, Howard L, Crawley H. 2002. Antidepressant treatment for postnatal depression. (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, Oxford: Update Software.
Hoffman Y. 1992. The effects of a supportive intervention during and delivery on the postpartum psychological adaptation of first-time mothers. PhD thesis. Case Western Reserve University;
Holden JM, Sagovsky R, 1989; Cox JL. Counselling in a general practice setting: Controlled study of health visitor intervention in treatment of postnatal depression. BMJ. 298: 223– 226.Google Scholar
Honey KL, Bennet P, Morgan M. 2002; A brief psycho-educational group intervention for postnatal depression. Br J Clin Psychol. 41: 405– 409.Google Scholar
Horowitz JA, Bell M, Trybulski J, et al. 2001; Promoting responsiveness between mothers with depressive symptoms and their infants. J Nurs Scholarship. 33: 323– 339.Google Scholar
Lavender T, Walkinshaw SA. 1998; Can midwives reduce postpartum psychological morbidity? A randomised trial. Birth. 25: 215– 219.Google Scholar
Lawrie TA, Herxheimer A, Dalton K. 2002. Oestrogens and progestogens for preventing and treating postnatal depression. (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, Oxford: Update Software.
Leverton TJ, Elliott SA. 1989: Transition to parenthood groups: A preventive intervention for postnatal depression? In: Van Hall EV, Everaerd W, editors. The free woman: Women's health in the 1990s. Carnforth: The Parthenon Publishing Group; 479– 486.
Llorente AM, Jensen CL, Voigt RG, Fraley JK, Beretta MC, Heird WC. 2003; Effect of maternal docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on postpartum depression and information processing. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 188: 1348– 1353.Google Scholar
Marks MN, Siddle K, Warwick C. 2003; Can we prevent postnatal depression? A randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of continuity of midwife care on rates of postnatal depression in high risk women. J Maternal Fetal Med. 13: 119– 127.Google Scholar
MacArthur C, Knox EG. 1991. Health after childbirth: An investigation of long term health problems beginning after childbirth. London: HMSO;
MacArthur C, Winter H, Bick D, et al. 2002; Effects of redesigned community postnatal care on women's health 4 months after birth: A cluster randomised trial. Lancet. 359: 378– 385.Google Scholar
McIntosh J. 1993; Postpartum depression: Women's help-seeking behaviour and perceptions of cause. J Adv Nurs. 18: 178– 184.Google Scholar
McLennan JD, Offord DR. 2002; Should postpartum depression be targeted to improve child mental health? J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 41: 28– 35.Google Scholar
Meager I, Milgrom J. 1996; Group treatment for postpartum depression: A pilot study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 30: 852– 860.Google Scholar
Misri S, Kostaras X, Fox D, Kostaras D. 2000; The impact of partner support in the treatment of postpartum depression. Can J Psychiatry. 45: 554– 558.Google Scholar
Morrell CJ, Spiby H, Stewart P, Walters S, Morgan A. 2000; Costs and effectiveness of community postnatal support workers: Randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 321: 593– 598.Google Scholar
Morrell CJ, Spiby H, Stewart P, Walters S, Morgan A. 2000; Costs and benefits of community postnatal support workers: A randomised controlled trial. Health Technol Assess. 4: 6.Google Scholar
Mrazek PJ, Haggerty RJ, editors. 1994: Reducing the risks for mental disorders: Frontiers for preventive research. Washington DC: National Academy Press; 19– 30.
Murray L, Cooper PJ, Wilson A, Romaniuk H. 2003; Controlled trial of the short and long-term effect of psychological treatment of post-partum depression. II. Impact on the mother-child relationship and child outcomes. Br J Psychiatry. 182: 420– 427.Google Scholar
Murray DM. 1998. Design and analysis of group-randomized trials. New York: OUP;
Murray D, Cox JL, Chapman G, Jones P. 1995; Childbirth: Life event or start of a long term difficulty? Further data from the Stoke-on-Trent controlled study of postnatal depression. Br J Psychiatry. 166: 595– 600.Google Scholar
Murray L, Sinclair D, Cooper P, et al. 1999; The socioemotional development of 5-year-old children of postnatally depressed mothers. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 40: 1259– 1271.Google Scholar
Murray L, Woolgar M, Cooper P, Hipwell A. 2001; Cognitive vulnerability to depression in 5-year-old children of depressed mothers. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 42: 891– 899.Google Scholar
Nikodem VC, Nolte AG, Wolman W, Gulmezoglu M, Hofmeyr GJ. 1998; Companionship by a lay labor supporter to modify the clinical birth environment: Long-term effects on mother and child. Curationis. 21: 8– 12.Google Scholar
O'Hara MW, Swain AM. 1996; Rates and risks of postpartum depression—a meta-analysis. Int Rev Psychiatry. 8: 37– 54.Google Scholar
O'Hara MW, Stuart S, Gorman LL, Wenzel A. 2000; Efficacy of interpersonal therapy for postpartum depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 57: 1039– 1045.Google Scholar
Onazawa K, Glover V, Adams D, Modi N, Kumar RC. 2001; Infant massage improves mother-infant interaction for mothers with postnatal depression. J Affect Disord. 63: 201– 207.
Patel V, Rodrigues M, DeSouza N. 2002; Gender, poverty and postnatal depression: A study of mothers in Goa, India. Am J Psychiatry. 159: 43– 47.Google Scholar
Priest S, Henderson J, Evans SF, Hagan R. 2003; Stress debriefing after childbirth: A randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 178: 542– 545.Google Scholar
Ray KL, Hodnett ED. 2003. Caregiver support for postpartum depression. (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, Oxford: Update Software.
Reid M, Glazener C, Murray G, Taylor GS. 2002; A two-centred pragmatic randomised controlled trial of two interventions of postnatal support. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 109: 1164– 1170.Google Scholar
Shields N, Reid M, Cheyne H, et al. 1997; Impact of midwife-managed care in the postnatal period: An exploration of psychosocial outcomes. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 15: 91– 108.Google Scholar
Small R, Brown S, Lumley J, Astbury J. 1994; Missing voices: What women say and do about depression after childbirth. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 12: 89– 103.Google Scholar
Small R, Lumley J, Donohue L, Potter A, Waldenström U. 2000; Randomised controlled trial of midwife led debriefing to reduce maternal depression after operative childbirth. BMJ. 321: 1043– 1047.Google Scholar
Spinelli MG, Endicott J. 2003; Controlled clinical trial of interpersonal psychotherapy versus parenting education program for depressed pregnant women. Am J Psychiatry. 160: 555– 562.Google Scholar
Stamp GE. 1997. Postnatal depression: Prevalence, prediction and preventive intervention by randomised trial. PhD thesis, Wollongong, University of Wollongong,
Stamp GE, Williams AS, Crowther C. 1995; Evaluation of antenatal and postnatal support to overcome postnatal depression. A randomised controlled trial. Birth. 22: 138– 143.Google Scholar
Stuart S, Couser G, Schilder K, O'Hara MW, Gorman L. 1998; Postpartum anxiety and depression: Onset and co-morbidity in a community sample. J Nerv Ment Dis. 186: 420– 424.Google Scholar
Turnbull D, Holmes A, Shields N, et al. 1996; Randomised controlled trial of efficacy of midwife-managed care. Lancet. 348: 213– 218.Google Scholar
Waldenström U, Brennecke S, Brown S, et al. 2000: Team midwife care. Final report to the Commonwealth Birthing Services Program—Victoria; 30.
Waldenström U, McLachlan H, Forster D, Brennecke S, Brown S. 2001; Team midwife care: Maternal and infant outcomes. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 41: 257– 264.Google Scholar
Webster J, Linnane J, Roberts J, et al. 2003; IDentify, Educate, and Alert (IDEA) trial: An intervention to reduce postnatal depression. BJOG. 100: 842– 846.Google Scholar
Wheatley SL, Brugha TS. 1999; ‘Just because I like it doesn't mean it has to work’: Personal experiences of an antenatal psychosocial intervention designed to prevent postnatal depression. Int J Ment Health Promot. 1: 26– 31.Google Scholar
Wheatley SL, Culverwell A, Brugha TS, Shapiro DA. 2000; Preparing for parenthood: Background and development of a risk modifying intervention to prevent postnatal depression. Arch Womens Mental Health. 3: 81– 90.Google Scholar
Wickberg B, Hwang CP. 1996; Counselling of postnatal depression: A controlled study on a population based Swedish sample. J Affect Disord. 39: 209– 216.Google Scholar
Wisner KL, Perel JM, Peindl KS, et al. Prevention of recurrent postpartum depression: A randomised clinical trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2001; 62: 82– 86.Google Scholar
Wolf AW, De Andraca I, Lozoff B. Maternal depression in three Latin American samples. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2002; 37: 169– 176.Google Scholar
Wolman WL, Chalmers B, Hofmeyr J, Nikodem VC. Postpartum depression and companionship in the clinical birth environment. A randomised controlled study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993; 168: 1388– 1393.Google Scholar
Zlotnick C, Johnson SL, Miller I, Pearlstein T, Howard M. Postpartum depression in women receiving public assistance: Pilot study of an interpersonal-therapy-oriented group intervention. Am J Psychiatry. 2001; 158: 638– 640.Google Scholar