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Cited by 35Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumDigital Mental Health InterventionsMobile Health and mHealth Applications

Technology-Based Approaches for Supporting Perinatal Mental Health

Open access
Novick, Andrew M., Kwitowski, Melissa, Dempsey, Jack, Cooke, Danielle L., Dempsey, Allison G.·2022·Current Psychiatry Reports
DOI 10.1007/s11920-022-01349-wPMC PMC9307714
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Abstract

Purpose of Review: This review explores advances in the utilization of technology to address perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). Specifically, we sought to assess the range of technologies available, their application to PMADs, and evidence supporting use. Recent Findings: We identified a variety of technologies with promising capacity for direct intervention, prevention, and augmentation of clinical care for PMADs. These included wearable technology, electronic consultation, virtual and augmented reality, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, and predictive analytics using machine learning. Available evidence for these technologies in PMADs was almost uniformly positive. However, evidence for use in PMADs was limited compared to that in general mental health populations. Summary: Proper attention to PMADs has been severely limited by issues of accessibility, affordability, and patient acceptance. Increased use of technology has the potential to address all three of these barriers by facilitating modes of communication, data collection, and patient experience. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review surveys technology-based options for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, covering mHealth, wearables, internet-based CBT, virtual reality, eConsultation, and machine-learning prediction. It finds mostly encouraging but limited PMAD-specific evidence, with access, affordability, and patient acceptance as persistent barriers.

Key findings

  • mHealth tools using peer support and psychoeducation show preliminary acceptability and effectiveness for mild perinatal mood symptoms, but studies are largely restricted to mothers without prior mental health histories, mild-to-moderate depression, healthy infants, and a single language.
  • In a small postpartum depression RCT (N = 43), 79% of 21 women receiving a 6-session internet-based CBT plus telephone coaching no longer met depression criteria at 12 weeks, versus 18% of 22 women receiving treatment as usual; 86% of the treatment group completed all sessions. A systematic review of 8 studies found therapist-supported I-CBT improved stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
  • Wearable studies: among 36 pregnant women with elevated depression scores, more severe symptoms were linked to a smaller daily travel radius, and a prior day’s worse symptoms predicted a smaller radius the next day; mild symptoms showed increased activity over 8 weeks while severe symptoms showed the opposite. In postpartum mothers of preterm infants, higher daytime wrist actigraphy activity correlated with lower postpartum depression symptoms.
  • VRET had a 3% rejection rate versus 25% for traditional exposure therapy, and 70% preferred VRET; however, a c-section preoperative anxiety RCT was inconclusive (p = 0.08, underpowered). Psychiatric eConsults led primary care practitioners to no longer feel a need to refer after 30% of consultations, and machine learning predicted postpartum depression and postpartum psychiatric admission with strong psychometric accuracy.

Methods

  • Design: narrative review assessing the range of technologies available for PMADs, their application, and supporting evidence.
  • Data: published literature on technology-based mental health approaches, including studies in perinatal and general psychiatric populations; no primary data collection.
  • Analysis: narrative synthesis of findings across technology categories; no formal meta-analysis or systematic search protocol is described.

Limitations

  • The paper states that PMAD-specific evidence is limited compared with general mental health populations, and that studies suffer from limited replicability, small samples, few RCTs, non-generalizable clinical populations, and lack of diversity.
  • The paper notes that many I-CBT research versions are not publicly available, wearable data are not always sensitive or specific and should not replace skilled evaluation, research-specific apps/algorithms are not easily accessible, and EMR integration is cumbersome.
  • The paper also states that perinatal eConsult literature is scarce, the c-section VRET trial was underpowered, and no predictive-analytics study has yet used these approaches to establish a preventive intervention. Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it does not provide a systematic search strategy, quality appraisal, or quantitative pooling.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s11920-022-01349-w

Cites

71 of 71 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

39 of 78 cited sources checked · 13 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Premisecitation

    Many expectant parents routinely use app-based tools to access health information during pregnancy.

    “Many expectant parents routinely use app-based tools as a way of accessing relevant health information during pregnancy [13, 14].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [13] Dalton JA, Rodger D, Wilmore M, Humphreys S, Skuse A, Roberts CT, et al. The Health-e Babies App for antenatal education: feasibility for socially disadvantaged women. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(5): e0194337. source
    • cites [14] Lau Y, Htun TP, Wong SN, Tam WSW, Klainin-Yobas P. Therapist-supported internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among postpartum women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(4): e138. source

      The Introduction (page not provided) says that 90% of the postpartum women discussed used the Internet to search for health-related information. It does not establish that expectant parents routinely used apps for that purpose during pregnancy; the References section only lists a study about interest in health-related apps. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Interpretationcitation

    Wearable technology can provide information about a patient's behavior and biological function outside appointments, giving clinicians data that can assist in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prevention.

    “Wearable technology can provide information about a patient’s behavior and biological function outside of their appointments, and thus allow the clinician access to data that can assist in diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prevention [33, 34].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [33] Insel TR. Digital phenotyping: technology for a new science of behavior. JAMA. 2017;318(13):1215. source
    • cites [34] Onnela J-P, Rauch SL. Harnessing smartphone-based digital phenotyping to enhance behavioral and mental health. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2016;41(7):1691–6. source

      The introduction and “Origins of the Technology” describe collecting behavioral data in natural settings using smartphones and other personal digital devices, with potential uses in diagnosis and treatment. “Making Sense of Smartphone Data” discusses mobility, metabolic expenditure, and tremors, while “The Challenge of Psychiatry” proposes alerts that could enable timely intervention. The source focuses on smartphone-based digital phenotyping rather than establishing the claim specifically for wearable technology, and it presents these clinical uses as possibilities. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • Rests on an assumption: Mental health clinicians typically have few objective measures and rely on subjective reports that are vulnerable to bias and inaccuracy.
  • Interpretationcitation

    Because PMADs are prevalent, additional screening during the prenatal period provides an enhanced window for early detection and intervention of psychological distress.

    “Given the known prevalence of PMADs, additional screening during the prenatal period is an enhanced window of time to engage in early detection and intervention of psychological distress [10].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [10] Nishi D, Imamura K, Watanabe K, Obikane E, Sasaki N, Yasuma N, et al. Internet-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for prevention of depression during pregnancy and in the post partum (iPDP): a protocol for a large-scale randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2020;10(5): e036482. source

      The Introduction reports the prevalence of antenatal and postpartum depression and says prevention during pregnancy is important. The Methods and analysis > Outcomes section describes screening measures used in the proposed trial, but the paper does not establish that additional prenatal screening improves early detection or intervention for psychological distress; the Introduction instead notes the difficulty of screening all high-risk pregnant women. No page numbers are available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Many studies of wearable technology use apps and algorithms designed by or for the research team that are not easily available to the average clinician and patient.

    “Furthermore, many of the studies on wearable technology use apps and algorithms were specifically designed by/for the research team and are not easily available to the average clinician and patient [40, 41].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [40] Carr O, Saunders KEA, Tsanas A, Bilderbeck AC, Palmius N, Geddes JR, et al. Variability in phase and amplitude of diurnal rhythms is related to variation of mood in bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Sci Rep. 2018;8. source

      The Introduction (page unavailable) says this study used a bespoke smartphone app, and Methods describes an extension of an existing rhythm-analysis method. The paper supports this study as an example, but does not establish that many studies use such tools or that its app and algorithms are not easily available to clinicians and patients. (LLM, conf=0.83)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [41] Tazawa Y, Liang K-C, Yoshimura M, Kitazawa M, Kaise Y, Takamiya A, et al. Evaluating depression with multimodal wristband-type waearable device: screening and assessing patient severity utilizing machine-learning. Heliyon. 2020;6(2). source

      The Conclusion says this study used machine learning with wristband data and that its models may not be suitable for immediate psychiatric clinical use. That supports the point for this study's algorithms, but the paper does not establish that many studies use research-specific apps and algorithms unavailable to typical clinicians or patients. The Introduction also says comparable wearable devices are commercially available. (LLM, conf=0.82)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Interpretationcitation

    Providing transdiagnostic psychoeducation regardless of symptom presentation helps normalize common peripartum experiences that might otherwise leave parents feeling isolated or misunderstood.

    “Furthermore, the ability to provide transdiagnostic psychoeducation to users regardless of symptom presentation serves to normalize common peripartum experiences that may otherwise leave parents feeling isolated or misunderstood [11].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [11] Loughnan SA, Newby JM, Haskelberg H, Mahoney A, Kladnitski N, Smith J, et al. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (I-CBT) for perinatal anxiety and depression versus treatment as usual: study protocol for two randomised controlled trials. Trials. 2018;19(1):56. source

      The Background says transdiagnostic iCBT can educate perinatal women about anxiety and depression symptoms regardless of whether they meet clinical levels. Methods > Procedures describes psychoeducational courses built around common pregnancy and postpartum experiences. Neither section says this education normalizes those experiences or reduces feelings of isolation or being misunderstood; the paper is a study protocol, not evidence of that effect. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims. 41
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 21

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Perinatal mental health care faces additional barriers beyond access, including obstetric provider training gaps, inadequate screening tools, limited referral awareness or resources, limited inclusion of partners' mental health, ethnic and socioeconomic differences in identification, and a shortage of specialized community providers.

    “Beyond issues with access, other challenges in perinatal mental health include lack of training and experience in screening and diagnosis for obstetric providers, insufficient screening tools, lack of awareness or resources for referrals, limited inclusion of partner’s mental health, ethnic and socio-economic differences in identification, and lack of specialized community providers [7].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] Howard LM, Khalifeh H. Perinatal mental health: a review of progress and challenges. World Psychiatry. 2020;19(3):313–27. source

      The paper’s ‘Case identification in universal/ primary care services’ section discusses the need for trained staff, uncertainty about screening tools, and limited access to treatment. Its ‘Assessment and treatment’ and ‘Community and outpatient’ sections discuss referral pathways, specialist-service capacity, practitioners without perinatal training, and the recent expansion of partner assessments. These passages do not establish a specific obstetric-provider training gap, lack of referral awareness, or ethnic and socioeconomic differences in identification; the claim presents those points more definitively than the source does. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    mHealth technologies that provide platforms for peer interaction and support and psychoeducation have been shown to be acceptable and effective in improving mood symptoms in women during the perinatal period.

    “Specifically, mHealth technologies that provide platforms for peer interaction and support and psychoeducation have been shown to be both acceptable and effective in improving mood symptoms in women during the perinatal period [25–29].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim4 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [25] Shorey S, Chee CYI, Ng ED, Lau Y, Dennis CL, Chan YH. Evaluation of a technology-based peer-support intervention program for preventing postnatal depression (part 1): randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(8): e12410. source

      The Methods (Intervention; page not provided) describe technology-mediated peer support, and the Results report significantly lower postnatal-depression scores at three months among at-risk postpartum mothers. Our copy does not establish that the program provided psychoeducation or was acceptable to participants; it also does not test women across the broader perinatal period. (LLM, conf=0.87)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [26] Shorey S, Ng YP, Danbjørg DB, Dennis CL, Morelius E. Effectiveness of the ‘Home-but not Alone’ mobile health application educational programme on parental outcomes: a randomized controlled trial, study protocol. J Adv Nurs. 2017;73(1):253–64. source
    • cites [27] Baumel A, Tinkelman A, Mathur N, Kane JM. Digital peer-support platform (7Cups) as an adjunct treatment for women with postpartum depression: feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018;6(2): e38. source

      The Methods (Description of 7Cups; page unavailable) describe peer support and psychoeducation, and the Results (Usability and Acceptability; page unavailable) report that participants found the platform acceptable. The Results (Efficacy) report reduced depression scores, but the Discussion (Principal Findings) says the improvement over treatment as usual was not statistically significant and only suggests a possible added benefit. Thus, the claim overstates established effectiveness and extends a study of women with postpartum depression to the broader perinatal period. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [28] Fealy S, Chan S, Wynne O, Dowse E, Ebert L, Ho R, et al. The Support for New Mums Project: a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to test a postnatal psychoeducation smartphone application. J Adv Nurs. 2019;75(6):1347–59. source

      The Discussion says mHealth apps may improve psychological and psychosocial well-being for first-time mothers, and reports that women find pregnancy apps helpful for information and support. But this paper is a pilot-trial protocol: its ‘What this paper adds?’ section says acceptability will be assessed, and its Limitations section cautions that a pilot cannot establish intervention effects. The cited passages do not establish that apps offering peer interaction and psychoeducation have been shown to improve perinatal mood symptoms. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [29] Sawyer A, Kaim A, Le HN, McDonald D, Mittinty M, Lynch J, et al. The effectiveness of an app-based nurse-moderated program for new mothers with depression and parenting problems (eMums Plus): pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(6): e13689. source

      The Qualitative Assessment of the Intervention by Mothers reports that most users found the app components helpful and easy to use, supporting acceptability. But the Conclusions state that the eMums intervention did not reduce depressive symptoms, so this paper does not support the attributed effectiveness in improving mood symptoms. (LLM, conf=0.91)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Overall, mHealth approaches to perinatal mental health care allow patients to access and review information about PMADs and may decrease stigma and improve the likelihood that patients seek treatment.

    “Overall, mHealth approaches to perinatal mental health care allow patients to access and review information about PMADs and may serve to decrease stigma and improve likelihood that patients will seek out treatment [32].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] Zhang R, Nicholas J, Knapp AA, Graham AK, Gray E, Kwasny MJ, et al. Clinically meaningful use of mental health apps and its effects on depression: mixed methods study. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(12): e15644. source

      The Introduction says mental health apps can deliver psychoeducation, supporting the general point that patients can access mental health information. The paper does not address perinatal mental health or PMADs, and the passages found do not support the proposed effects on stigma or treatment-seeking. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In a study of 36 pregnant women with elevated depression scores, more severe depressive symptoms were associated with a contracted travel radius; a prior day's report of more severe symptoms corresponded with decreased travel radius the next day.

    “More severe depressive symptoms were associated with a contracted travel radius; specifically, a prior day’s report of more severe symptoms corresponded with decrease travel radius the subsequent day.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Faherty LJ, Hantsoo L, Appleby D, Sammel MD, Bennett IM, Wiebe DJ. Movement patterns in women at risk for perinatal depression: use of a mood-monitoring mobile application in pregnancy. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2017;24(4):746–53. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The study highlights travel radius alongside physical activity as a relevant measurement for postpartum depression and suggests that decreased physical activity over time could signal more severe perinatal depressive symptoms.

    “This study emphasizes the importance of travel radius in addition to physical activity as a relevant measurement for postpartum depression, and also suggests that decreased physical activity over a period of time could be a signal for more severe perinatal depressive symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Faherty LJ, Hantsoo L, Appleby D, Sammel MD, Bennett IM, Wiebe DJ. Movement patterns in women at risk for perinatal depression: use of a mood-monitoring mobile application in pregnancy. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2017;24(4):746–53. source

      The Abstract reports that travel radius was more strongly associated with mood than mobility, and the Discussion says mobility decreased over time among women with more severe depressive symptoms. However, this study followed women during pregnancy, so its findings do not directly establish travel radius as a measure for postpartum depression. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Reviews have concluded that actigraphy captures significant differences in physical activity and sleep parameters between individuals with psychiatric disorders and healthy controls, and that these measures change with successful treatment.

    “These reviews have concluded that, across studies, actigraphy is able to capture significant differences in physical activity and sleep parameters in individuals with psychiatric disorders compared to healthy controls, and these measures change with successful treatment [35–37].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [35] Tazawa Y, Wada M, Mitsukura Y, Takamiya A, Kitazawa M, Yoshimura M, et al. Actigraphy for evaluation of mood disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2019;253:257–69. source
    • cites [36] De Crescenzo F, Economou A, Sharpley AL, Gormez A, Quested DJ. Actigraphic features of bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev. 2017;33:58–69. source
    • cites [37] Reinertsen E, Clifford GD. A review of physiological and behavioral monitoring with digital sensors for neuropsychiatric illnesses. Physiol Meas. 2018;39(5):05TR1. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Studies of mHealth for perinatal mood symptoms have been largely limited to mothers without prior mental health histories, those with only mild to moderate depressive symptoms, those with healthy infants, and a single language, which limits generalizability.

    “These studies have been largely limited to mothers without prior mental health histories, those with only mild to moderate depressive symptoms, those with healthy infants, and in a single language, limiting the generalizability of this research.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim4 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [25] Shorey S, Chee CYI, Ng ED, Lau Y, Dennis CL, Chan YH. Evaluation of a technology-based peer-support intervention program for preventing postnatal depression (part 1): randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(8): e12410. source

      The Methods > Participants passage shows that this trial required English-speaking mothers with healthy infants and excluded mothers with an existing psychiatric illness. The Discussion > Limitations passage identifies its single-language recruitment as a limitation. But the paper does not establish that mHealth studies generally had all these restrictions, and its eligibility criterion of an EPDS score of at least 9 does not limit participants to mild or moderate symptoms. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [26] Shorey S, Ng YP, Danbjørg DB, Dennis CL, Morelius E. Effectiveness of the ‘Home-but not Alone’ mobile health application educational programme on parental outcomes: a randomized controlled trial, study protocol. J Adv Nurs. 2017;73(1):253–64. source
    • cites [27] Baumel A, Tinkelman A, Mathur N, Kane JM. Digital peer-support platform (7Cups) as an adjunct treatment for women with postpartum depression: feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018;6(2): e38. source

      The Methods (Participants; page unavailable) required participants to speak English, supporting the single-language limitation for this study. But the Results (Participants; page unavailable) say most participants had a prior history of mental illness. The paper does not establish that mHealth studies generally excluded such mothers or were limited to mild-to-moderate symptoms or mothers with healthy infants. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [28] Fealy S, Chan S, Wynne O, Dowse E, Ebert L, Ho R, et al. The Support for New Mums Project: a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to test a postnatal psychoeducation smartphone application. J Adv Nurs. 2019;75(6):1347–59. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [29] Sawyer A, Kaim A, Le HN, McDonald D, Mittinty M, Lynch J, et al. The effectiveness of an app-based nurse-moderated program for new mothers with depression and parenting problems (eMums Plus): pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(6): e13689. source

      The Introduction (page unavailable) describes this trial as addressing mild-to-moderate postnatal depression, and Participants, Recruitment, and Randomization (page unavailable) requires English literacy and reports that mothers with high distress were referred elsewhere. The paper does not establish that mHealth studies generally excluded mothers with prior mental health histories or infants with health problems, or that these restrictions characterize the wider research literature. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In a study of postpartum mothers with preterm infants, wrist actigraphy showed that higher daytime activity correlated with decreased postpartum depression symptoms, suggesting the importance of physical activity and circadian activity rhythms, which are often disrupted in PMADs.

    “In another study of postpartum mothers with preterm infants, wrist actigraphy demonstrated that higher levels of daytime activity correlated with decreased symptoms of postpartum depression, suggesting not only the importance of physical activity on its own, but also circadian activity rhythms, which are frequently disrupted in PMADs [39].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [39] Obeysekare JL, Cohen ZL, Coles ME, Pearlstein TB, Monzon C, Flynn EE, et al. Delayed sleep timing and circadian rhythms in pregnancy and transdiagnostic symptoms associated with postpartum depression. Transl Psychiatry. 2020;10. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 2 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Many currently available mobile peripartum apps have significant limitations, including poor accessibility, limited usability, lack of inclusivity of women of color, and inadequate evidence-based maternal health information, which may contribute to suboptimal use and engagement.

    “Further still, many currently available mobile peripartum apps suffer a number of significant limitations, including lack of accessibility, limited usability, lack of inclusivity of women of color, and inadequate evidence-based maternal health information, all of which may contribute to suboptimal use and engagement [12, 30, 31].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [12] Dol J, Richardson B, Murphy GT, Aston M, McMillan D, Campbell-Yeo M. Impact of mobile health interventions during the perinatal period on maternal psychosocial outcomes: a systematic review. JBI Evidence Synthesis. 2020;18(1):30–55. source
    • cites [30] Tucker L, Villagomez AC, Krishnamurti T. Comprehensively addressing postpartum maternal health: a content and image review of commercially available mobile health apps. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21(1):1–11. source
    • cites [31] Hussain-Shamsy N, Shah A, Vigod SN, Zaheer J, Seto E. Mobile health for perinatal depression and anxiety: scoping review. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(4): e17011. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In the same study, women with mild symptoms showed increased physical activity over the 8-week period, while women with more severe symptoms showed the opposite pattern.

    “Additionally, while women with mild symptoms demonstrated increased physical activity over the 8-week period, women with more severe symptoms demonstrated the opposite.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] Faherty LJ, Hantsoo L, Appleby D, Sammel MD, Bennett IM, Wiebe DJ. Movement patterns in women at risk for perinatal depression: use of a mood-monitoring mobile application in pregnancy. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2017;24(4):746–53. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The flexibility of digital platforms creates opportunities for prevention, early symptom detection, and facilitation of various treatment options.

    “The flexibility inherent in digital platform modalities represent opportunities for prevention, early symptom detection, and facilitation of various treatment options [8].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] Müller M, Matthies LM, Goetz M, Abele H, Brucker SY, Bauer A, et al. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an electronic mindfulness-based intervention (eMBI) on maternal mental health during pregnancy: the mindmom study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial. Trials. 2020;21(1):933. source

      The Methods describe digitally transmitted screening questionnaires for detecting maternal distress, and the Discussion presents the mindmom app as a promising way to deliver mindfulness-based help and potentially prevent postnatal depression (pages not provided). The paper supports these opportunities in antenatal mental health care, but does not establish the broader claim that digital platforms facilitate various treatment options. (LLM, conf=0.84)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles County launched a Reproductive Psychiatry eConsultation Pilot Project in which 59 psychiatrists received specific training in reproductive psychiatry and psychopharmacology.

    “Here the Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles County launched a Reproductive Psychiatry eConsultation Pilot Project in which 59 psychiatrists received specific training in reproductive psychiatry and psychopharmacology.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [59] Dossett EC, Benitez C, Garcia N. Perinatal mental health in community psychiatry: a reproductive psychiatry eConsult pilot project. PS. 2019;70(11):1075–6. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Studies using VRET to treat preoperative anxiety related to other surgical procedures have found improvements in both preoperative anxiety and postoperative satisfaction.

    “Studies using VRET to treat preoperative anxiety related to other surgical procedures have found that both preoperative anxiety and post-operative satisfaction were improved [49, 50].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [49] Bekelis K, Calnan D, Simmons N, MacKenzie TA, Kakoulides G. Effect of an immersive preoperative virtual reality experience on patient reported outcomes: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. 2017;265(6):1068–73. source
    • cites [50] Koo C-H, Park J-W, Ryu J-H, Han S-H. The effect of virtual reality on preoperative anxiety: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Med. 2020;9(10):3151. source

      The Results (§3.2; page unavailable) report significantly lower preoperative anxiety in the VR group overall, with a significant effect in pediatric patients but not adults. The Results (§3.3; page unavailable) found no significant improvement in postoperative satisfaction, so the claim that both outcomes improved is not supported. (LLM, conf=0.90)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Wearable data can provide important biological information about a patient's wellness and has potential for use in biofeedback interventions, which have been demonstrated to reduce mental health symptoms in the perinatal period.

    “Not only can this provide important biological information about a patient’s wellness, but it also has the potential for use in biofeedback interventions that have been demonstrated to be successful interventions to reduce mental health symptoms in the perinatal period [72–74].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [72] Kudo N, Shinohara H, Kodama H. Heart rate variability biofeedback intervention for reduction of psychological stress during the early postpartum period. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2014;39(3–4):203–11. source
    • cites [73] Beckham AJ, Greene TB, Meltzer-Brody S. A pilot study of heart rate variability biofeedback therapy in the treatment of perinatal depression on a specialized perinatal psychiatry inpatient unit. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2013;16(1):59–65. source

      The Methods describe an earlobe pulse sensor that provides real-time heart-rhythm feedback, and the Results report significantly reduced anxiety scores after biofeedback sessions. However, the device was a desktop system, not evidence about wearable data generally. The Conclusion calls the findings promising and says a controlled study is needed, so describing biofeedback as a demonstrated successful intervention overstates this pilot study. (LLM, conf=0.86)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [74] Herbell K, Zauszniewski JA. Reducing psychological stress in peripartum women with heart rate variability biofeedback: a systematic review. J Holist Nurs. 2019;37(3):273–85. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Because the program was separate from the electronic medical record, many individuals found using the platform cumbersome and time consuming.

    “Because the program was separate from the EMR, many individuals found using the platform cumbersome and time consuming.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [59] Dossett EC, Benitez C, Garcia N. Perinatal mental health in community psychiatry: a reproductive psychiatry eConsult pilot project. PS. 2019;70(11):1075–6. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    According to feedback from primary care practitioners, decreased psychiatric eConsult utilization might be because psychiatric issues are perceived as more nuanced and lack associated lab values, imaging, or objective measurements that facilitate consultation without face-to-face evaluation.

    “According to feedback from primary care practitioners (PCPs), this decreased utilization might be due to the fact that psychiatric issues are perceived as being more “nuanced” with lack of associated lab values, imaging or objective measurements that can facilitate consultation in the absence of face-to-face evaluation [56].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [56] Hensel JM, Yang R, Rai M, Taylor VH. Optimizing electronic consultation between primary care providers and psychiatrists: mixed-methods study. J Med Internet Res. 2018;20(4): e124. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    eConsultation has many advantages of an integrative health model, allowing care to be delivered within the patient's current setting and reducing potential stigma and non-adherence associated with outside specialist visits.

    “Furthermore, eConsultation has many of the advantages of an integrative health model, allowing care to be delivered within the patient’s current setting, and thus reducing the potential stigma and non-adherence that can occur with the need for outside visits to a specialist [52].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [52] Lowenstein M, Bamgbose O, Gleason N, Feldman MD. Psychiatric consultation at your fingertips: descriptive analysis of electronic consultation from primary care to psychiatry. J Med Internet Res. 2017;19(8): e279. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In that trial, 86% of women in the treatment condition completed all sessions and reported satisfaction with the program.

    “Furthermore, 86% of the women in treatment condition completed all session, and reported satisfaction with the program [43].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Milgrom J, Danaher BG, Gemmill AW, Holt C, Holt CJ, Seeley JR, et al. Internet cognitive behavioral therapy for women with postnatal depression: a randomized controlled trial of MumMoodBooster. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(3): e4993. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In a small randomized controlled trial (N=43) of a 6-session I-CBT intervention for postpartum women with diagnosed depression, after 12 weeks 79% of the 21 women in the treatment group no longer met diagnostic criteria for depression, compared with 18% of the 22 women receiving treatment as usual.

    “In one small (N = 43) randomized control trial of a 6-session I-CBT intervention with women in the postpartum period with diagnosed depression, delivery of an internet-based intervention, supported with low-intensity coaching via telephone, showed that after 12 weeks 79% of the 21 women who received the treatment no longer met diagnostic criteria for depression whereas only 18% of the 22 women who”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] Milgrom J, Danaher BG, Gemmill AW, Holt C, Holt CJ, Seeley JR, et al. Internet cognitive behavioral therapy for women with postnatal depression: a randomized controlled trial of MumMoodBooster. J Med Internet Res. 2016;18(3): e4993. source

      Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Research on mHealth-based care approaches has shown improved outcomes during pregnancy and the postpartum period, although not specifically for perinatal mental health.

    “Research on utilization of mHealth-based care approaches have demonstrated improved outcomes during both pregnancy and in the postpartum period, though not specific to perinatal mental health [18].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Lee Y, Cho S. Technology-supported interventions for pregnant women: a systematic review. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. 2019;37(10):501–12. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    There has been little research devoted specifically to the use of wearables in PMADs.

    “Similar to mHealth interventions, there has been little research devoted specifically to the use of wearables with PMADs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Emerging evidence provides preliminary support that mHealth interventions can prevent PMADs and relieve mild symptoms.

    “Emerging evidence has provided preliminary support for the efficacy of mHealth interventions in both preventing PMADs and relieving mild symptoms [17••].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17••]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Currently, there is little published literature about the use of eConsultation specific to perinatal mental health.

    “Currently, there is little published literature about the use of eConsultation that is specific to perinatal mental health.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Many of the I-CBT derivations mentioned in research studies are not necessarily available to the public at this time, preventing more evidence-based adoption.

    “However, many of the derivations of I-CBT mentioned in research studies are not necessarily available to the public at this time, preventing more evidence-based adoption.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Findingnone given

    The current status of technology research in PMADs does not lend itself to easily implementable evidence-based recommendations for the average mental health clinician.

    “Unfortunately, the current status of technology research in PMADS does not lend itself to easily implementable evidence-based recommendations for the average mental health clinician.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In a randomized controlled trial applying VRET to preoperative anxiety surrounding Cesarean section, results were inconclusive; they trended toward significance (p = 0.08), and the authors noted the analysis was underpowered.

    “When VRET was applied to preoperative anxiety surrounding the c-section procedure in a randomized controlled trial, however, the results were inconclusive. Specifically, results trended towards significance (p = 0.08) with the authors noting that the analysis was underpowered [51•].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [51•]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    This is still an emerging area establishing feasibility of concept; to date, no research study has used these predictive approaches to establish a preventive intervention.

    “Still, this is an emerging area that still establishing feasibility of concept—to date, no research study has utilized these predictive approaches to establish a preventive intervention.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Interventions are perhaps the most well researched and evaluated category of technology integration.

    “Interventions are perhaps the most well researched and evaluated.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends ongoing care and regular screening for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

    “Although the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends ongoing care and regular screenings for PMADs to address these concerns [4, 5]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [4] Earls MF, Yogman MW, Mattson G, Rafferty J. Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice. Pediatrics. 2019;143(1): e20183259. source
    • cites [5] Presidential task force on redefining the pospartum visit committee on obstetric practice. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing Postpartum Care. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018;131(5):e140-e50. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The shift toward digital platform use presents opportunities to implement novel approaches that supplement traditional health care.

    “This represents a drastic shift from just several years ago and presents opportunities for implementation of novel approaches to supplement traditional health care [16].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] Firth J, Torous J, Nicholas J, Carney R, Pratap A, Rosenbaum S, et al. The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depressive symptoms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry. 2017;16(3):287–98. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Mobile health technologies allow widespread access to tools that support prevention of PMADs and promote symptom awareness and quicker access to services.

    “Mobile health (mHealth) technologies allow for widespread access to tools that support efforts to prevent development of PMADS and promote awareness of symptoms and quicker access to services when they are needed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Wearable data are not necessarily always sensitive and specific to mental health disorders and should never replace skilled evaluation.

    “Like any clinical measurement, data from wearables is not necessarily always sensitive and specific to mental health disorders, and thus should never be a replacement for skilled evaluation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Commonly available technology such as phones and activity monitors can improve access to preventive services and enable remote monitoring of symptoms for detection and progress monitoring of PMADs.

    “As summarized thus far, common technology to which most patients have access (phones, activity monitors) can allow for improved access to preventive services and remote monitoring of symptoms for both detection and progress-monitoring of PMADS.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    In the perinatal period, mHealth can provide social connection through web forums or clinician-hosted virtual support groups, mobile self-screening and psychoeducation about symptoms and support, and interactive platforms for sharing coping, symptoms, and behaviors with providers.

    “In the perinatal period, mHealth may be used to provide social connection through web-based social forums or clinician-hosted virtual support groups, mobile phone apps for screening for self-screening for symptoms and to provide psychoeducation about symptoms and how to obtain support, or interactive platforms to briefly share information about coping, symptoms, and behaviors with providers [17••]”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [17••]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Greater use of technology could address access, cost, and acceptance barriers by enabling new modes of communication, data collection, and patient experience.

    “Increased use of technology has the potential to address all three of these barriers by facilitating modes of communication, data collection, and patient experience.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Recent ACOG guidelines have highlighted the use of technology and mobile app-based tools in optimizing postpartum care within and outside the clinic.

    “Recent ACOG guidelines have highlighted the use of technology and mobile app-based tools in optimizing postpartum care within and outside of the clinic [5].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [5] Presidential task force on redefining the pospartum visit committee on obstetric practice. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing Postpartum Care. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018;131(5):e140-e50. source

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the United States, 27% of metropolitan counties lack a psychiatrist and 19% lack a psychologist, while 65% of non-metropolitan counties lack a psychiatrist and 47% lack a psychologist.

    “with 27% and 19% of metropolitan counties lacking a psychiatrist or a psychologist, respectively [6••]. This lack is more pronounced in rural areas, increasing to 65% and 47% of non-metropolitan counties lacking a psychiatrist or psychologist, respectively [6••].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [6••]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Many patients require more individualized care than mHealth can provide, making other technology-based approaches involving symptom monitoring and direct intervention more appropriate.

    “However, many patients require more individualized care approaches that are more appropriate for other technology-based approaches to mental health care delivery that involve both symptom monitoring and direct intervention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Many patients with PMADs require more individualized care than mHealth subclinical interventions can provide.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Wearable technology can potentially avoid the need for in-office appointments through remote data communication and can help detect and monitor perinatal mental health and wellness through ongoing collection of proxy indicators such as reduced movement, social engagement, and sleep.

    “Not only can such technology potentially help avoid the need for in-office appointments via remote communication of data, it can help in the detection and progress-monitoring of mental health and wellness during the perinatal period through ongoing collection of data that are proxy indicators for declining mental health (e.g., reduced movement/activity, social engagement, and sleep).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Wearable data such as reduced movement, social engagement, and sleep are proxy indicators for declining mental health.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    An extensive literature describes the utility of wearables in psychiatric disorders outside the perinatal period, suggesting potential for application to PMADs.

    “However, there is now an extensive literature describing the utility of wearables in psychiatric disorders outside the perinatal period which in turn suggest its potential for application to PMADs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    eConsultation allows rapid access to specialist expertise, avoiding the often-long wait times of direct referral and the difficulties of coordinating phone time between busy practitioners.

    “This allows for rapid access to specialist expertise, avoiding the often-long wait times of direct referral as well as the difficulties of coordinating phone time between two busy practitioners.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The World Health Organization recently recognized the potential of technology-based interventions to reduce health disparities and encouraged prioritization of development, evaluation, and implementation of technology-based approaches to perinatal mental health care to promote equitable, accessible, and affordable evidence-based care.

    “The World Health Organization recently recognized the potential of technology-based interventions in reducing health disparities, and encouraged the prioritization of the development, evaluation, implementation of technology-based approaches to perinatal mental health care promote equitable, accessible, and affordable evidence-based care [70].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [70] Organization WH. WHO guideline: recommendations on digital interventions for health system strengthening: World Health Organization. 2019.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Machine learning using health care records can predict postpartum depression and need for postpartum psychiatric admission with impressive psychometric accuracy.

    “ML utilizing health care records can predict postpartum depression as well as need for postpartum psychiatric admission with impressive psychometric accuracy [61–63, 64•, 65–67].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [61–63, 64•, 65–67]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Traditional exposure therapy can have substantial time, cost, and risk, and has a 25% rejection rate when introduced as a treatment option.

    “Specifically, traditional exposure therapy can have substantial time, cost, and risk associated with it (e.g., driving on a busy highway with the patient), and has a 25% rejection rate when introduced as a treatment option [45].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [45] Garcia-Palacios A, Botella C, Hoffman H, Fabregat S. Comparing acceptance and refusal rates of virtual reality exposure vs. in vivo exposure by patients with specific phobias. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007;10(5):722–4. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Under new Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services billing guidelines, time spent communicating using eConsultation would likely count toward the total billable time of the encounter if done on the same day.

    “Though it should be noted that under new Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services billing guidelines, time taken to communicate using eConsultation would likely count towards to total billable time of the encounter, so long as it was done on the same day [60].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [60] Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2020. https://www.cms.gov/medicaremedicare-fee-service-paymentphysicianfeeschedpfs-federal-regulation-notices/cms-1734-f

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Internet-delivered interventions, compared with traditional face-to-face modalities, offer opportunities to expand access and maintain engagement, reduce costs to patients and medical systems, and enhance privacy.

    “Utilization of internet-delivered interventions in comparison to traditional face-to-face modalities, represent opportunities to (a) expand access and maintain engagement in mental health services; (b) reduce costs to patients and medical systems; and (c) and enhance privacy [9••, 10, 11].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [9••, 10, 11]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Approximately 32% of all deliveries in the United States are via Cesarean section.

    “Approximately 32% of all deliveries in the US are via Cesarean-section c-section [46].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [46] Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Osterman MJK, Driscoll AK. Births: final data for 2018. Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2019;68(13):1–47.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Further research is required, but there is promise that VRET for preoperative anxiety surrounding Cesarean section may reduce the odds of developing PMADs after surgery.

    “Thus, at this time, further research is required on this topic, but there is promise that use of VRET to treat preoperative anxiety surrounding c-section may be able to reduce the odds of post-surgical development of PMADs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Technology in perinatal mental health has the potential to improve the lives of infants, mothers, partners, and families by improving accessibility to specialized care, enhancing preventative care, and facilitating clinician-patient communication.

    “Technology in perinatal mental health has the potential to improve the lives of infants, mothers, partners, and families through improving accessibility to specialized care, enhancing preventative care, and facilitating clinician-patient communication.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy treatments for PMADs, accessible at home through mobile devices or computers, allow clinicians to provide evidence-based interventions without relying solely on traditional face-to-face therapy sessions.

    “Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT) treatments for PMADS, which patients may access in their homes through mobile devices or computers, allow clinicians to provide evidence-based interventions for PMADs without relying on a solely face-to-face traditional therapy session.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Studies of technology in mental health care suffer from limited replicability and methodological concerns, including non-generalizable clinical populations, small sample sizes, relatively few randomized controlled trials, and lack of diversity.

    “Studies suffer from limited replicability and methodological concerns (non-generalizable clinical populations utilized, small sample sizes, relatively few RCTs, lack of diversity, etc.), but emerging research is promising and exciting.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    VRET has a rejection rate of only 3%, and 70% of participants expressed a preference for VRET over exposure therapy.

    “In contrast, VRET has a rejection rate of only 3% and in comparing preference for the two treatment options, 70% of participants expressed a preference for VRET over ET [45].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [45] Garcia-Palacios A, Botella C, Hoffman H, Fabregat S. Comparing acceptance and refusal rates of virtual reality exposure vs. in vivo exposure by patients with specific phobias. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007;10(5):722–4. source

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationnone given

    Use of technology in mental health has the potential to provide creative and novel solutions to traditional limitations, including improving access to care, identification, early intervention, and treatment.

    “The use of technology in addressing mental health has the exciting potential for creative and novel solutions to traditional limitations, including improving access to care, identification, early intervention, and treatment (for a summary, see Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The overarching conclusion of this literature is that eConsultation is associated with improved access to specialist care and is perceived positively by both patients and providers.

    “The overarching conclusion of this literature is that eConsultation is associated with improved access to specialist care and is perceived positively by both patients and providers [53•, 54, 55].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [53•, 54, 55]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    I-CBT tools, whether services or smartphone apps, represent options for individuals with limited access to therapy.

    “Finally, I-CBT tools (either services or smartphone apps) represent options for individuals for whom access to therapy is limited.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This points to both the need for and appropriateness of eConsultation for PMADs when the consulting practitioner requires expertise on psychotropic safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding but otherwise feels comfortable with management.

    “This points to both the need and appropriateness of eConsultation for PMADs in which the consulting practitioner requires expertise on psychotropic safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding but otherwise feels comfortable with management.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
56 of 56

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Mental health clinicians typically have few objective measures and rely on subjective reports that are vulnerable to bias and inaccuracy.

    “Specifically, the mental health clinician usually has very few objective measures at their disposal for diagnosis and management, relying on subjective reports that are vulnerable to bias and inaccuracy as the patient attempts to describe their symptoms over the past weeks and months.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Many patients with PMADs require more individualized care than mHealth subclinical interventions can provide.

    “However, many patients require more individualized care approaches that are more appropriate for other technology-based approaches to mental health care delivery that involve both symptom monitoring and direct intervention.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Wearable data such as reduced movement, social engagement, and sleep are proxy indicators for declining mental health.

    “it can help in the detection and progress-monitoring of mental health and wellness during the perinatal period through ongoing collection of data that are proxy indicators for declining mental health (e.g., reduced movement/activity, social engagement, and sleep).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Actigraphy has high face validity for psychiatric disorders.

    “Actigraphy has a high-degree of relevant face-value for psychiatric disorders and is also easy to measure and interpret using currently available technology.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Preoperative anxiety may be the mechanism underlying the relationship between Cesarean section and PMADs.

    “and evidence exists suggesting that preoperative anxiety may be the mechanism underlying this relationship.”
5 of 5

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

3 of the 74 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Dol J, Richardson B, Murphy GT, Aston M, McMillan D, Campbell-Yeo M. Impact of mobile health interventions during the perinatal period on maternal psychosocial outcomes: a systematic review. JBI Evid Synth. 2020;18(1):30–55. · DOI · Paper page
  2. Hussain-Shamsy N, Shah A, Vigod SN, Zaheer J, Seto E. Mobile health for perinatal depression and anxiety: scoping review. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(4): e17011. · DOI · Paper page

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Novick, A. M., Kwitowski, M., Dempsey, J., Cooke, D. L., & Dempsey, A. G.
Affiliations
University of Colorado Anschutz (US)
Corresponding author
Dempsey, Allison G.
ORCID
Venue
Current Psychiatry Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2022-07-23
Volume
24
Issue
9
Pages
419-429
ISSN
  • 1523-3812 (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-1645
DOI
10.1007/s11920-022-01349-w
PMC
PMC9307714
OpenAlex
W4286685037
Cited by
35
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 4
FWCI
1.34
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Current Psychiatry Reports (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
Keywords
perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, digital mental health interventions, wearable devices, e-consultation, virtual reality, augmented reality, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy, machine learning prediction, patient acceptance of technology
MeSH terms
Anxiety Disorders, Female, Humans, Mental Health, Pregnancy, Technology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mood Disorders

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

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