Effectiveness of a Mobile Application for Postpartum Depression Self-Management: Evidence from a Randomised Controlled Trial in South Korea

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of the Happy Mother mobile app developed for self-management of postpartum depression, based on cognitive behavioural therapy. A randomized controlled trial, with a pre- and a post-test design, was conducted in South Korea. Effectiveness was analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. We confirmed that the experimental group performed significantly more health promoting behaviours than the control group (F = 5.15, p = 0.007). However, there was no significant difference in postpartum depression, knowledge of depression, maladaptive beliefs, social support, sleep quality, and stress-coping behaviours between the two groups. The experimental group’s mood score increased by 1.79 ± 2.51 points, resulting in significant differences before and after the intervention (Z = −2.81, p = 0.005). The quality of sleep score in the experimental group increased by 1.48 ± 1.70 points and was also significantly different after the intervention (Z = −3.23, p = 0.001). The activity practice rate of the experimental group significantly increased by 30.27 ± 29.27% after using the app (Z = −2.81, p = 0.005). We found the app to be effective in promoting mothers’ health behaviour and improving their depressive mood.

The effectiveness of technology‐based cognitive behavioral therapy on perinatal depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…All TB‐CBTs included multimedia elements, interactive components, and homework assignments to facilitate the therapy. Regarding the delivery of the interventions, three studies (Jannati et al, 2020; Seo et al, 2022; Sun et al, 2021) used mobile applications while the remaining 13 studies implemented a web‐based intervention. Characteristics of included studies and interventions are summarized in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.…”

“…The meta‐analysis assessing depressive symptoms at immediate post‐intervention included 15 studies (Ashford et al, 2018; Forsell et al, 2017; Jannati et al, 2020; Loughnan, Butler, et al, 2019; Loughnan, Sie, et al, 2019; Milgrom et al, 2016; Miller et al, 2020; O'Mahen et al, 2013, 2014; Pugh et al, 2016; Seo et al, 2022; Suchan, 2022; Sun et al, 2021; Van Lieshout et al, 2021). It showed a statistically significant medium effect favoring the TB‐CBT group (SMD = −0.68, 95% CI [−0.91, −0.45], Z = 5.77, p < .00001), with considerable statistical heterogeneity ( I 2 = 87%, p < .00001; Figure S4a).…”

“…Research has to be done on the existing needs of mothers in their various respective cultures before designing an effective TB-CBT intervention. This can be observed from a few studies in this review (Fonseca et al, 2020;Jannati et al, 2020;Monteiro et al, 2020;Seo et al, 2022;Sun et al, 2021), where factors such as technology literacy, convenience, and cost-effectiveness were considered when developing the intervention.…”

“…studies (Jannati et al, 2020;Seo et al, 2022;Sun et al, 2021) used mobile applications while the remaining 13 studies implemented a web-based intervention. Characteristics of included studies and interventions are summarized in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.…”

Analisis Kebutuhan Pengembangan Aplikasi Edukasi Pada Masa Nifas

“…Penggunaan mobile aplikasi tidak hanya memberikan manfaat pada pengetahuan kebutuhan fisik ibu nifas namun juga berdampak positif bagi pemenuhan kebutuhan psikologis ibu nifas. Penelitian menunjukkan penggunaan aplikasi efektif dalam mempromosikan dan meningkatkan perilaku kesehatan dan suasana hati ibu nifas yang depresi (26) . Hal ini menunjukkan, pemberian edukasi berbasis online dapat memberikan dampak positif.…”