Date of Award
2018
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not, “Is electronically-delivered cognitive therapy effective in producing remission from clinical depression in postpartum women by 15 weeks after start of treatment?”
STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
DATA SOURCES: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found via the use of PubMed and Embase.
OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: The outcome measured was active or remissive diagnosis of postpartum depression. This was measured using either the SCID-IV to determine DSM-IV diagnosis or the Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale.
RESULTS: Three randomized controlled trials were included and analyzed in this review. The study by Milgrom et al showed a statistically significant increase (p = 0.001) in remission from clinical postpartum depression among patients receiving electronic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) through a program named MumMoodBooster compared to patients receiving treatment as usual, with a numbers needed to treat (NNT) of 2. The second study by Pugh et al demonstrated initial data with a p-value of 0.08, and follow up data showing a statistically significant increase (p <0.01) in remission from clinical postpartum depression among patients receiving electronic CBT via a website called Maternal Depression Online compared to wait list control patients, with an NNT of 5. The third study by O’Mahen et al showed a statistically significant increase (p <0.001) in recovery from psotpartum depression among patients receiving electronic CBT through a program named Netmums compared to treatment as usual, with a NNT of 6.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of these randomized controlled trials indicate that electronicallydelivered cognitive therapy is an effective treatment option for postpartum depression.
Recommended Citation
Cotellese, Christina M., "Is Electronically-Delivered Cognitive Therapy Effective in Producing Remission from Clinical Depression in Postpartum Women by 15 Weeks After Start of Treatment?" (2018). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 352.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/352