A Group Videoconference Intervention for Reducing Perinatal Depressive Symptoms: A Telehealth Pilot Study

Introduction: Perinatal depression occurs in 12% to 18% of childbearing women. Telehealth is a promising platform for delivering perinatal mental health care, particularly during a pandemic when in-person services have been significantly curtailed. However, there is little research to document the feasibility of telehealth to address perinatal depression. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary results of an 8-week facilitated group videoconference intervention. Methods: The study enrolled pregnant and postpartum women into an 8-week group mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral intervention, delivered via videoconference platform. Women receiving care at outpatient clinics who either screened positive for perinatal depression symptoms or had risk factors predictive of perinatal depression were invited to participate. Women attended weekly one-hour group sessions using their own electronic device and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at several time points. Session attendance and survey completion rates were evaluated. Results: A total of 47 women enrolled (8 postpartum; 39 prenatal) into groups of 4 to 6. Twenty-four (51.1%) women were currently experiencing mild to moderate perinatal depression symptoms (EPDS score of 10-20), whereas 23 (48.9%) women had EPDS scores less than 10 but were at high risk for developing perinatal depression due to health history and significant life events. Seventy percent of women attended at least 5 of the 8 sessions. Trajectories of EPDS measures were promising (ie, downward among those with current perinatal depression symptoms and stable among those at high risk for developing perinatal depression). Discussion: These observational results are promising, suggesting further study of effectiveness for women with symptoms of perinatal depression, as well as for women at high risk for developing perinatal depression. Randomized trials could evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, compared with standard of care approaches. Telehealth interventions can be tailored to meet the needs of different communities, and increase access to care, regardless of where women live or inability to receive in-person services.