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Cited by 88Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumDigital Mental Health InterventionsPersonality Disorders and Psychopathology

The Effect of Telephone-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Postnatal Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ngai, Fei-Wan, Wong, Paul Wai-Ching, Leung, Kwok-Yin, Chau, Pui-Hing, Chung, Ka-Fai·2015·Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
DOI 10.1159/000430449
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Abstract

Background: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective interventions for postnatal depression. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of CBT delivered via telephone for newborn mothers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of telephone-based CBT for postnatal depression at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Methods: A multisite randomized controlled trial was conducted in the postnatal units at 3 regional hospitals in Hong Kong. A total of 397 women with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥10 on the second or third day postpartum were randomized to receive telephone-based CBT (n = 197) or standard care (n = 200). Primary outcome was the total EPDS score. A cutoff score of 9/10 on the EPDS was used to define women at risk of postnatal depression. Results: Telephone-based CBT was associated with significantly lower depressive symptoms compared with standard care, when assessed at 6 weeks postpartum in the subgroups of mothers with minor depression (EPDS 10-12; difference = 1.90, 95% CI: 0.72-3.08; p = 0.002) and major depression (EPDS ≥13; difference = 5.00, 95% CI: 3.12-6.88; p < 0.001). The effect was sustained at 6 months postpartum in the subgroup with minor depression (difference = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.09-2.32; p = 0.034) but not significant in the subgroup with major depression (difference = 1.69, 95% CI: -0.10-3.47; p = 0.064). The proportion of women who satisfied our definition of postnatal depression was significantly lower in the intervention group at 6 weeks (difference = 23.3%, 95% CI: 13.7-33.0%; p < 0.001) and 6 months postpartum (difference = 11.4%, 95% CI: 1.9-20.8%; p = 0.019). Conclusions: Telephone-based CBT produced a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than standard care during the postpartum period.

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Crossref · 10.1159/000430449

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Authors
Ngai, F.-W., Wong, P. W.-C., Leung, K.-Y., Chau, P.-H., & Chung, K.-F.
Affiliations
  • University of Hong Kong (HK)
  • Hospital Authority (HK)
ORCID
Venue
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2015
Volume
84
Issue
5
Pages
294-303
ISSN
  • 0033-3190 (ISSN-L)
  • 1423-0348
DOI
10.1159/000430449
OpenAlex
W1642446990
Cited by
88
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3
FWCI
6.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • The HKU Scholars Hub (University of Hong Kong) (submittedVersion)
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
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Disorders and Psychopathology
Keywords
postpartum depression, telemedicine, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, maternal mental health, minor depression, major depressive disorder, postpartum care
MeSH terms
Adult, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Hong Kong, Humans, Telephone, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Telemedicine, Depression, Postpartum, Young Adult

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