Technology-assisted nursing for postpartum support: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim: To determine if an electronic nursing intervention during the first 6 months postpartum was effective in improving mood and decreasing stress.

Background: Unmet needs postpartum can have a negative impact on mood and parenting stress. Technology-assisted nursing care may provide needed support and reduce risk.

Design: Randomized controlled trial (RCT) with three conditions.

Methods: Enrollment began on 11 May 2017. Participants were randomized into one of three groups after completion of the baseline survey. Intervention I participants received standardized electronic messages four times/week for 6 months postpartum. Intervention II participants additionally received the option for nurse contact. Depression and parenting stress as measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Parenting Stress Index-Short form (PSI-SF) was obtained at 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months postpartum and results compared with a usual care group. Patient satisfaction and nursing factors were measured.

Results: Significantly higher satisfaction scores were found in both intervention groups as compared with control, but there were no significant changes in EPDS or PSI-SF.

Conclusion: The interventions were perceived as helpful and not burdensome. Better nurse-sensitive outcome measures are needed to adequately assess effectiveness.

Impact: Postpartum women report unmet needs for support and education. The interventions were perceived as being helpful but did not significantly reduce depressive symptoms or parenting stress. Nurses can use this research to inform development of innovative approaches to support postpartum women.

Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02843022.

Keywords: depression; nurse-sensitive; nursing; parenting stress; postpartum; technology.

© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figures

Figure 1.

Phase 3: Trial design

Figure 2.

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score over time after the birth

Figure 3:

Total parenting stress over time by group designation

Figure 4.

Satisfaction score