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The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India

05-03-2024 | Risk Pregnancy | Original Article

The Efficacy of Therapist-Guided Internet-Based Psychotherapy for Treating Mild to Moderate Depression and Anxiety Among Women Hospitalized with High-Risk Pregnancies

Authors: Shirin Shahrokhi, Zahra Basirat, Shahnaz Barat, Farzan Kheirkhah, Elizabeth O’Connor, Seyyedeh Mahboubeh Mirtabar, Hemmat Gholinia, Mahbobeh Faramarzi

Published in: The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India

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Abstract

Background

Despite ample evidence of high depression rates among women with high-risk pregnancies, there is limited information available regarding the effectiveness of Internet-based psychotherapies in this population. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of internet-based psychotherapy in treating depression and anxiety in pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies admitted to the hospital.

Methods

In a quasi-experimental study, 60 inpatient women with high-risk pregnancies exhibiting mild to moderate depression were allocated to either the experimental (n = 30) or control (n = 30) group. The experimental group received medical therapy with Internet-based Synchronous Individualized Therapy for six sessions, each lasting 50–60 min, conducted over six weeks. The control group solely received medical therapy. All participants completed questionnaires, including the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, at both baseline and the post-trial stage (6 weeks after the study commencement).

Results

The mean scores for depression and anxiety in both groups were elevated (experimental group: M = 11.36, SD = 4.84; M = 13.82, SD = 4.78; control group: M = 11.4, SD = 4.8; M = 13.6, SD = 4.6). Symptom severity decreased more significantly in the group receiving internet psychotherapy in addition to medical treatment than in the control group, with medium effect sizes observed for depression symptoms (η2 = 0.145, P = 0.003) and anxiety symptoms (η2 = 0.238, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the reduction in anxiety and depression scores in the internet psychotherapy group was notably more significant than in the control group, with a moderate effect size (η2 = 0.177, P = 0.041).

Conclusion

Augmenting medical therapy with therapist-guided internet-based psychotherapy may effectively reduce depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in pregnant women experiencing high-risk pregnancies and comorbid depression. These findings suggest that hospitalized, depressed pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies should be offered internet-based psychotherapy as an adjunctive treatment option.
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Metadata
Title
The Efficacy of Therapist-Guided Internet-Based Psychotherapy for Treating Mild to Moderate Depression and Anxiety Among Women Hospitalized with High-Risk Pregnancies
Authors
Shirin Shahrokhi
Zahra Basirat
Shahnaz Barat
Farzan Kheirkhah
Elizabeth O’Connor
Seyyedeh Mahboubeh Mirtabar
Hemmat Gholinia
Mahbobeh Faramarzi
Publication date
05-03-2024
Publisher
Springer India
Published in
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India
Print ISSN: 0971-9202
Electronic ISSN: 0975-6434
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-024-01946-0