Engage & Connect: A Psychotherapy for Postpartum Depression

Launched by WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL UNIVERSITY · Oct 14, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Engage & Connect" clinical trial is studying a new type of therapy designed to help women who are experiencing postpartum depression, which is depression that can occur after having a baby. This trial will compare the new therapy, called Engage & Connect, with another supportive program that focuses on reviewing symptoms and providing education about postpartum depression. The study lasts for 9 weeks and is conducted online, so participants can join from home. Researchers want to see how this therapy affects feelings of social isolation, the ability to enjoy social interactions, and the severity of depression.

To be eligible for this trial, women must be within a year of giving birth and have a specific score indicating postpartum depression. They should either not be taking antidepressants or be on a stable dose for at least 8 weeks. It's important that participants are able to speak English and can give consent to take part in the study. However, the trial cannot include those who are currently suicidal, in ongoing therapy, or have certain serious mental health issues. If you join, you can expect to engage in a supportive program that aims to improve your mental well-being over the treatment period.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. 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:
• • 1. 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.