The DOI matches its Crossref record; 104 of the 111 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 111 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.
Complementary and alternative medicine therapies for perinatal depression
Open accessAbstract
Complementary and alternative medicine therapies are increasingly sought out by people with psychiatric disorders. In this chapter, we review the evidence for several commonly used CAM therapies (i.e. omega-3 fatty acids, folate, S-adenosyl-methionine, St John's Wort, bright light therapy, exercise, massage, and acupuncture) in the treatment of perinatal depression. A number of these treatments may be reasonable to consider for women during pregnancy or postpartum, but the safety and efficacy of these relative to standard treatments must still be systematically determined. Evidence-based use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies treatments for perinatal depression is discussed. Adequately powered systematic studies are necessary to determine the role of complementary and alternative medicine therapies in the treatment of perinatal depression.
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Claims the paper makes
72 Not checked yet · 9 Own interpretation · 1 Own result
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“they are best studied as an augmentation treatment [23-25] rather than monotherapy [26].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [23] Su, 2003, Omega-3 fatty acids in major depressive disorder. A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Eur Neuropsychopharmacol source
- Not checked yetcites [24] Nemets, 2002, Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder, Am J Psychiatry source
- Not checked yetcites [25] Kumar, 1984, A prospective study of emotional disorders in childbearing women, Br J Psychiatry source
- Not checked yetcites [26] Freeman, 2006, Omega-3 fatty acids: evidence basis for treatment and future research in psychiatry, J Clin Psychiatry source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Untreated depression during pregnancy poses risks to the mother and baby, including obstetrical and neonatal complications [3-8].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [3] Bodnar, 2009, Prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain, and the likelihood of major depressive disorder during pregnancy, J Clin Psychiatry source
- Not checked yetcites [4] Britton, 2011, Infant temperament and maternal anxiety and depressed mood in the early postpartum period, Women Health source
- Not checked yetcites [5] Chung, 2001, Antepartum depressive symptomatology is associated with adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes, Psychosom Med source
- Not checked yetcites [6] Cripe, 2011, Risk of preterm delivery and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in relation to maternal co-morbid mood and migraine disorders during pregnancy, Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol source
- Not checked yetcites [7] Grote, 2010, A meta-analysis of depression during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and intrauterine growth restriction, Arch Gen Psychiatry source
- Not checked yetcites [8] Jablensky, 2005, Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal complications in a population cohort of women with schizophrenia and major affective disorders, Am J Psychiatry source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
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In the paper
“increased risk of developmental delay and lower IQ scores [12]”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [12] Lindahl, 2005, Prevalence of suicidality during pregnancy and the postpartum, Arch Womens Ment Health source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
In the paper
“In a recent UK study, more than a quarter of women reported use of a CAM during pregnancy [14].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [14] Wu, 2007, Use of complementary and alternative medicine among women with depression: results of a national survey, Psychiatr Serv source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials demonstrate a statistically significant antidepressant benefit of omega-3 fatty acids in mood disorders overall”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [23] Su, 2003, Omega-3 fatty acids in major depressive disorder. A preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Eur Neuropsychopharmacol source
- Not checked yetcites [24] Nemets, 2002, Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder, Am J Psychiatry source
- Not checked yetcites [25] Kumar, 1984, A prospective study of emotional disorders in childbearing women, Br J Psychiatry source
boosteddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
In the paper
“In one small prospective observational study women who were (N=33) treated with hypericum while breastfeeding their infants, increased rates of adverse events in infants were reported, such as colic, drowsiness, and lethargy, compared to infants of matched depressed and non-depressed controls [61].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ST. JOHN’S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [61] Lee, 2003, The safety of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) during breastfeeding, J Clin Psychiatry source
plaindirectn = 33- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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In the paper
“Limited data in 54 human pregnancies indicated no increased risk of major malformations or prematurity rate for infants born to women taking St. John’s Wort during pregnancy and matched controls [59].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ST. JOHN’S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [59] Moretti, 2009, Evaluating the safety of St. John's Wort in human pregnancy, Reprod Toxicol source
hedged- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Most, but not all [62], studies demonstrate that bright light therapy is an efficacious, first-line treatment for both seasonal and non-seasonal MDD [63,64].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [63] Eastman, 1998, Bright light treatment of winter depression: a placebo-controlled trial, Arch Gen Psychiatry source
- Not checked yetcites [64] Golden, 2005, The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence, Am J Psychiatry source
boosteddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Other studies have provided promising preliminary data regarding feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy in perinatal depression [36,37].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [36] Freeman, 2006, An open trial of omega-3 fatty acids for depression in pregnancy, Acta Neuropsychiatr source
- Not checked yetcites [37] Kendrick, 2008, A longitudinal study of blood folate levels and depressive symptoms among young women in the Southampton Women's Survey, J Epidemiol Community Health source
hedgedconditional- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“There have been no studies published on the efficacy of folate monotherapy or augmentation therapy for perinatal depression.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > FOLATE
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
- Probably not a substantial claim. 11
- It may state two separate claims as one. 23
In the paper
“In general, women use CAM treatments more frequently than men, and are also more likely to suffer from disorders such as MDD and anxiety disorders, for which CAM treatments are commonly pursued [15].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [15] Barnes, 2009, Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007, Natl Health Stat Report
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“maternal suicide accounts for up to 20% of postnatal deaths in depressed women [13].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [13] Bishop, 2011, The use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), Complement Ther Med source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
In the paper
“attachment insecurity [11]”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [11] Deave, 2008, The impact of maternal depression in pregnancy on early child development, BJOG source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
In the paper
“In general, women use CAM treatments more frequently than men, and are also more likely to suffer from disorders such as MDD and anxiety disorders, for which CAM treatments are commonly pursued [15].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [15] Barnes, 2009, Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults and children: United States, 2007, Natl Health Stat Report
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Despite the growing prevalence of CAM use, the number of adequately powered, well-designed randomized clinical trials of CAM treatments is limited.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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Probably not a substantial claim.
In the paper
“Depression during pregnancy is a major risk factor for postnatal depression [9].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [9] Gotlib, 1991, Prospective investigation of postpartum depression: factors involved in onset and recovery, J Abnorm Psychol source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids with well-established health benefits and particular benefits for obstetrical outcomes and infant development [17,18].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [17] McGregor, 2001, The omega-3 story: nutritional prevention of preterm birth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes, Obstet Gynecol Surv source
- Not checked yetcites [18] Koletzko, 2008, The roles of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnancy, lactation and infancy: review of current knowledge and consensus recommendations, J Perinat Med source
boosteddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“including difficult infant and childhood temperament [10]”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > Abstract
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [10] Forman, 2007, Effective treatment for postpartum depression is not sufficient to improve the developing mother-child relationship, Dev Psychopathol source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
In the paper
“Omega-3 fatty acids are among the most commonly used CAM treatments in the United States (U.S.) [16].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [16] Hibbeln, 2007, Maternal seafood consumption in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood (ALSPAC study): an observational cohort study, Lancet source
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
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Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
In the paper
“Folate has been studied in a placebo-controlled trial an adjunctive treatment to fluoxetine, with significantly greater improvement in the folate group, a difference most pronounced in women [43].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > FOLATE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [43] Papakostas, 2012, l-Methylfolate as adjunctive therapy for SSRI-resistant major depression: results of two randomized, double-blind, parallel-sequential trials, Am J Psychiatry source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“St. John’s Wort, at a daily dosage of 300-1200mg, had an advantage over placebo and efficacy similar to tricyclic or SSRI antidepressants, with better efficacy than the standard antidepressant in a subgroup of patients with mild to moderate depression [55].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ST. JOHN’S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [55] Murphy, 2005, Interaction of St John's Wort with oral contraceptives: effects on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, ovarian activity and breakthrough bleeding, Contraception source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Several placebo-controlled RCTs and two meta-analyses found SAMe, studied in doses of 200-1600mg per day, significantly more efficacious than placebo and equivalent to tricyclic antidepressants, in the treatment of depression, while a couple of studies report it equivalent to placebo [48-50].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > S-ADENOSYL L-METHIONINE (SAMe)
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [48] Bressa, 1994, S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) as antidepressant: meta-analysis of clinical studies, Acta Neurol Scand Suppl source
- Not checked yetcites [49] Hardy, 2002
- Not checked yetcites [50] Papakostas, 2010, S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) augmentation of serotonin reuptake inhibitors for antidepressant nonresponders with major depressive disorder: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, Am J Psychiatry source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
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It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“There were fewer very preterm births (<34 weeks’ gestation) in the DHA group compared with the control group but more post-term births requiring obstetric intervention in the DHA group compared with the control group.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [34] Su, 2008, Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder during pregnancy: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, J Clin Psychiatry source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“depressive symptoms, measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 6 weeks and 6 months postnatally did not differ between groups, nor did neurodevelopmental outcomes of their offspring differ at 18 months age [34].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [34] Su, 2008, Omega-3 fatty acids for major depressive disorder during pregnancy: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, J Clin Psychiatry source
plainn = 2,399- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“It appears to be excreted into breast milk at undetectable to low levels, comparable to other antidepressants and its bioactive components at or below the limit of quantification in infant plasma [60].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ST. JOHN’S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [60] Klier, 2006, St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) and breastfeeding: plasma and breast milk concentrations of hyperforin for 5 mothers and 2 infants, J Clin Psychiatry source
hedged- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Bright light therapy is generally well tolerated, although there is a risk of induction of mania in individuals with bipolar disorder [64,65].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY
What the sources say
plainconditional- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Few studies have investigated the safety of St. John’s Wort during the perinatal period, and no published RCTs have evaluated efficacy or safety in perinatal depression.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ST. JOHN’S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“improvement was found with 15mg per day but not the 7.5 mg per day dose [44].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > FOLATE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [44] Inskip, 2009, Women's compliance with nutrition and lifestyle recommendations before pregnancy: general population cohort study, BMJ source
plaindirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Current evidence may support the use of 1-9 g supplement of EPA + DHA daily for patients with mood disorders, though use of greater than 3 g daily should be monitored by a physician due to the risk of bleeding [27].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [27] Golding, 2009, High levels of depressive symptoms in pregnancy with low omega-3 fatty acid intake from fish, Epidemiology source
hedgedconditional- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“Results from the individual studies were mixed with a more robust effect seen in patients with mild to moderate depressive symptoms and less evidence of effectiveness in severe MDD.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ST. JOHN’S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM)
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [54] Roder, 2004, Meta-analysis of effectiveness and tolerability of treatment of mild to moderate depression with St. John's Wort [in German], Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr
- Not checked yetcites [55] Murphy, 2005, Interaction of St John's Wort with oral contraceptives: effects on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, ovarian activity and breakthrough bleeding, Contraception source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“A smaller study of electroacupuncture compared to sham acupuncture for the treatment of postnatal depression demonstrated that both treatments were associated with improvement in depression symptoms, with no between-group difference in outcome measures [97].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ACUPUNCTURE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [97] Chung, 2012, Randomized non-invasive sham-controlled pilot trial of electroacupuncture for postpartum depression, J Affect Disord source
boosted- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“An 8-week “Mother and Baby” program, including exercise, was associated with lower EPDS scores in the intervention group at study end, but between-group significance was lost at follow up one month later [80].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > EXERCISE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [80] Norman, 2010, An exercise and education program improves well-being of new mothers: a randomized controlled trial, Phys Ther source
plaincorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“In participants who received at least three weeks of bright light therapy, depression scores improved by a mean of 49%; among participants who completed at least five weeks, scores improved by 59%. No significant side effects were reported, except treatment-related nausea.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [66] Oren, 2002, An open trial of morning light therapy for treatment of antepartum depression, Am J Psychiatry source
plaincorrelationaln = 16- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Bright light therapy produced a significantly greater antidepressant response than dim light, with significant differences at the end of the extension phase. One participant who received bright light therapy experienced hypomania, which resolved upon reduction of the duration of daily light exposure.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [67] Epperson, 2004, Randomized clinical trial of bright light therapy for antepartum depression: preliminary findings, J Clin Psychiatry source
plaindirectn = 10- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Additionally, establishing a truly blinded placebo condition for acupuncture research is challenging.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ACUPUNCTURE
plain- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
None of the sources cited for this claim have been checked yet.
In the paper
“epidemiological data suggest that regular exercise is associated with decreased risk of depressive symptoms [72], although not all trials have consistently demonstrated benefit [73].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > EXERCISE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [72] Strawbridge, 2002, Physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults, Am J Epidemiol source
- Not checked yetcites [73] Chalder, 2012, A pragmatic randomised controlled trial to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a physical activity intervention as a treatment for depression: the treating depression with physical activity (TREAD) trial, Health Technol Assess source
hedgedcorrelational- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
A conclusion the paper draws from its own results — it cites no other source for it, so there is none to check. The quote shows it is in the paper.
In the paper
“Because acupuncture is often practiced in the context of other cultural practices, it is difficult to assess through the lens of Western medicine, as diagnostic and symptom assessments may not be standardized across studies and acupuncture techniques may vary across sites and studies.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ACUPUNCTURE
hedgeddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Support for its neuroendocrine effects include demonstration of message to decrease salivary and urinary cortisol levels and increase urinary serotonin and dopamine levels over the therapy period [84].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > MASSAGE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [84] Field, 2005, Cortisol decreases and serotonin and dopamine increase following massage therapy, Int J Neurosci source
boosteddirect- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: unclear — It is unclear whether the paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“bright light was associated with a greater reduction of depressive symptoms, with 81.3% of women receiving bright light experiencing ≥50% reduction in symptoms as compared to 45.5% who received placebo dim light. The treatment was tolerated well, without adverse effects reported [68].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [68] Wirz-Justice, 2011, A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of light therapy for antepartum depression, J Clin Psychiatry source
plaincorrelationaln = 27- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Some acupuncture points have been reported to hasten cervical ripening at term and advance labour and delivery [94].”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > ACUPUNCTURE
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [94] Gaudet, 2008, Effectiveness of acupuncture for the initiation of labour at term: a pilot randomized controlled trial, J Obstet Gynaecol Can source
hedgedconditional- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: fails — The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
Probably not a substantial claim. The paper’s conclusions may not depend on it. It may state two separate claims as one.
In the paper
“Both groups experienced significant improvement from baseline, without differences in response.”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > BRIGHT LIGHT THERAPY
What the sources say
- Not checked yetcites [69] Corral, 2007, Morning light therapy for postpartum depression, Arch Womens Ment Health source
plainn = 15- Asserted: passes — The authors put it forward as true.
- Checkable: passes — It can be checked against evidence.
- Load-bearing: passes — The paper’s conclusions depend on it.
- Based: passes — The paper gives a reason why it holds.
It may state two separate claims as one.
The paper relies on this without support.
Omega-3 supplements are well tolerated by perinatal women and free of significant mercury or other contaminants.
“Omega-3 fatty acid supplements have been well tolerated by perinatal women and appear free of significant levels of mercury or other contaminants.”
The paper relies on this without support.
SAMe is generally well tolerated with infrequent mild side effects.
“SAMe is generally well tolerated, with infrequently reported side effects that include mild gastrointestinal symptoms, sweating, dizziness, irritability and anxiety.”
The paper relies on this without support.
St John's Wort may interact with oral contraceptives, reducing oestrogen plasma concentration and effectiveness.
“St. John’s Wort may interact with medications including oral contraceptives, reducing oestrogen plasma concentration and effectiveness.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Mood episodes are highly prevalent during pregnancy and the postpartum in the course of bipolar disorder, even if not previously diagnosed.
“Considering the high prevalence of mood episodes during pregnancy and the postpartum in the course of bipolar disorder, even if not previously diagnosed”
The paper relies on this without support.
Women often discontinue antidepressant treatment during attempts to conceive or during pregnancy.
“women often discontinue antidepressant treatment during attempts to conceive or during pregnancy.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids by perinatal women in the United States and United Kingdom is deficient.
“dietary intake by perinatal women in the U.S. and U.K. has been noted as deficient”
The paper relies on this without support.
Exercise is integral to optimal health in pregnancy and to prevention of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, which are more common in people with MDD than in the general population.
“Exercise is integral to optimal health in pregnancy, as well as in the prevention of heart disease, obesity and diabetes, comorbid conditions that those with MDD are more likely than the general population to develop.”
The paper relies on this without support.
St John's Wort contains high concentrations of hyperforin, which induces CYP3A4 and inhibits a membrane-bound transporter that facilitates transport across the intestinal lumen and the blood-brain barrier.
“St. John’s Wort contains high concentrations of the bioactive component hyperforin which induces the cytochrome P450 system (CYP3A4) and inhibits a membrane-bound transporter that facilitates transport across the intestinal lumen and the blood-brain barrier.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The MTHFR enzyme is affected by a polymorphism common in patients with depression that impairs transformation to L-methylfolate and is associated with MDD.
“however this enzyme is affected by a polymorphism common in patients with depression which impairs transformation to L-methylfolate and is associated with MDD.”
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Reasons for use of these approaches include motivation to have greater control over childbearing experiences and concerns about the risks to their infants from using pharmaceuticals to treat depression.46,47,49”
From Perinatal Depression: Challenges and Opportunities (2021) · cites this paper as [49]
In the citing paper
“However, concerns have been raised about the use of these approaches for which the evidence for full efficacy and safety remains limited.49”
From Perinatal Depression: Challenges and Opportunities (2021) · cites this paper as [49]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Rated minor: it would not touch a result — a value no result rests on, a p-value that stays on the same side of the significance level, or a conflict that is clerical, resolved elsewhere in the paper, or outside its own findings.
In the paper
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
“we have reviewed the following seven CAM therapies”
§ Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies for Perinatal Depression > COMPLIMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
“omega-3 fatty acids, folate, S-adenosyl-methionine, St. John’s Wort, bright light therapy, exercise, massage and acupuncture.”
Citations
Cites
Molecular Mechanisms of Depression: Perspectives on New Treatment Strategies
Lang, U. E., & Borgwardt, S. (2013) · Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1159/000350094 · Cited by 8,526
Yatham, L. N., & Malhi, G. S. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med/9780199562305.001.0001 · Cited by 3,515
Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review of Prevalence and Incidence
Gavin, N. I., Gaynes, B. N., Lohr, K. N., Meltzer-Brody, S., Gartlehner, G., & Swinson, T. (2005) · Obstetrics & Gynecology · doi:10.1097/01.aog.0000183597.31630.db · Cited by 3,282
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Adults and Children: United States, 2007
Barnes, P. M., Bloom, B. E., & Nahin, R. L. (2008) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e623942009-001 · Cited by 3,144
Grote, N. K., Bridge, J. A., Gavin, A. R., Melville, J. L., Iyengar, S., & Katon, W. J. (2010) · Archives of General Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.111 · Cited by 1,882
(1994) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.151.7.979 · Cited by 1,485 · cited 1×
“The lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is about twice as high in women as compared to men [1].”
BackgroundEFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, N. (2010) · EFSA Journal · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1461 · Cited by 1,353
Lawlor, D. A., & Hopker, S. W. (2001) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.322.7289.763 · Cited by 995
Hibbeln, J. R., Davis, J. M., Steer, C., Emmett, P., Rogers, I., Williams, C., & Golding, J. (2007) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(07)60277-3 · Cited by 987
A Prospective Study of Emotional Disorders in Childbearing Women
Kumar, R., & Robson, K. M. (1984) · British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.144.1.35 · Cited by 980
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Stewart, D. E., & Vigod, S. (2016) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmcp1607649 · Cited by 500
Postpartum psychiatric disorders
Meltzer-Brody, S., Howard, L. M., Bergink, V., Vigod, S., Jones, I., Munk-Olsen, T., Honikman, S., & Milgrom, J. (2018) · Nature Reviews Disease Primers · doi:10.1038/nrdp.2018.22 · Cited by 357
Perinatal Depression: Challenges and Opportunities
Dagher, R. K., Bruckheim, H. E., Colpe, L. J., Edwards, E., & White, D. B. (2021) · Journal of Women's Health · doi:10.1089/jwh.2020.8862 · Cited by 285
“However, concerns have been raised about the use of these approaches for which the evidence for full efficacy and safety remains limited.(49) Additional research involving more rigorous study designs with larger, diverse samples compared to more conventional psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies and research to unders…”
BackgroundPerinatal Depression: An Update and Overview
Stuart-Parrigon, K. L., & Stuart, S. P. (2014) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0468-6 · Cited by 178
“3 Please see Deligiannidis and Freeman (2014) “Complementary and alternative treatments for perinatal depression” for a detailed description of these therapies [45].”
BackgroundPearlstein, T. B. (2015) · Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology · doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2015.04.004 · Cited by 149
Metadata
- Authors
- Deligiannidis, K. M., & Freeman, M. P.
- Affiliations
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (US)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Deligiannidis, Kristina M.
- Venue
- Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-01
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 85-95
- ISSN
- 1521-6934 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3992885
- OpenAlex
- W1968107818
- Cited by
- 124
- References
- 111
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 39 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 6
- FWCI
- 8.50
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- eScholarship@UMassChan (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (UL1TR000161)
- National Institute of Mental Health (K23MH097794)
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects
- Keywords
- perinatal depression, complementary and alternative medicine, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, S-adenosylmethionine, Hypericum perforatum, bright light therapy, physical activity, massage, acupuncture, pregnancy, postpartum depression, treatment efficacy and safety
- MeSH terms
- Complementary Therapies, Depression, Female, Folic Acid, Humans, Massage, Mothers, Phototherapy, Pregnancy, S-Adenosylmethionine, Exercise, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Acupuncture Therapy, Depression, Postpartum, Dietary Supplements, Hypericum, Peripartum Period
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.
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