A Text Messaging Intervention to Reduce Perinatal Depression Risk

Description

Development and preliminary testing of a text messaging intervention that will reduce the risk of a major depressive episode and worsening depressive symptoms in perinatal individuals. The system will screen pregnant individuals, send tailored text messages with links to enhanced content, and will include a peer chat function.This accessible text platform will leverage both the ease of use inherent in text messages and the power of enhanced content drawn evidence from based behavioral interventions (Interpersonal Therapy).

Conditions

Major Depressive Episode

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Development and preliminary testing of a text messaging intervention that will reduce the risk of a major depressive episode and worsening depressive symptoms in perinatal individuals. The system will screen pregnant individuals, send tailored text messages with links to enhanced content, and will include a peer chat function.This accessible text platform will leverage both the ease of use inherent in text messages and the power of enhanced content drawn evidence from based behavioral interventions (Interpersonal Therapy).

A Text Messaging Intervention to Reduce Perinatal Depression Risk

A Text Messaging Intervention to Reduce Perinatal Depression Risk

Condition
Major Depressive Episode
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Worcester

UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, 01655

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * English speaking
  • * "At risk" as determined by an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of at least 9, or an average score \>3 on the 6-item Medical Outcomes Social Support Survey or history of depression in pregnancy or postpartum depression
  • * At least age 16
  • * Are willing and able to provide informed consent
  • * Are willing to use a smart phone to receive texts
  • * In a major depressive episode
  • * Planning on terminating pregnancy
  • * Have panic disorder or substance use disorder
  • * Currently in behavioral health care treatment
  • * Blind individuals
  • * Permanently living in an institutional setting

Ages Eligible for Study

16 Years to 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Massachusetts, Worcester,

Kimberly Yonkers, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, UMass Chan Medical School

Study Record Dates

2025-12-01