E-health Intervention for Improving Mental Health During Pregnancy Using Virtual Reality

A Randomized Controlled Low-intensity E-health Intervention by Midwives for Improving Mental Health in Pregnant Women

Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression has received considerable attention worldwide. Mental health problems in pregnant women already since early weeks of gestation may have important consequences for the fetus. Current literature recommends the use of interventions based on new technologies for the treatment of mood disorders, already during the prenatal period. Adult pregnant women (weeks 12-14 of gestation) will be recruited and screened from different primary care centres in Catalonia, Spain. Women who pass the initial mental screening will be randomly allocated to the relaxation virtual reality intervention or control group. The intervention aims to improve mental state of pregnant women during pregnancy, work through breathing, mindfulness and muscle relaxation techniques.

Background: Pregnancy-related anxiety and depression has received considerable attention worldwide. Mental health problems in pregnant women already since early weeks of gestation may have important consequences for the fetus. The necessity for more effective health care pathways, including some early interventions that reduce the overall burden of the childbearing situation, appears a key factor for a successful birth and care of the baby. The few studies focalized in interventions, are focused on delivery and post-partum, without taking into account the whole maternity process. Current literature recommends the use of interventions based on new technologies for the treatment of mood disorders, already during the prenatal period. There have been scarce well-designed intervention studies that test technological low-intensity interventions by midwives to address pregnant women's mental health, diminishing anxiety and depression during pregnancy.

Methods/design: Adult pregnant women (weeks 12-14 of gestation) will be recruited and screened from different primary care centres in Catalonia, Spain. Women who pass the initial mental screening will be randomly allocated to the relaxation virtual reality intervention or control group. The intervention aims to improve mental state of pregnant women during pregnancy, work through breathing, mindfulness and muscle relaxation techniques. Women in the control group will receive standard care offered by the public funded maternity services in Catalonia. The primary outcome measures will include the Edinburg Postnatal Depression (EPDS), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), and the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS) instruments. Secondary outcome measures will include the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R) and the Whooley and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) questions. Routinely, pregnancy monitoring measures will also be evaluated.

Discussion: This study aims to test the efficacy of a low-intensity, midwife-led e-health intervention based on new technologies to work on women's anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The hypothesis is that that low-intensity mental health intervention during pregnancy, using an e-health (virtual reality) as a support tool, will be effective in reducing of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and improving satisfaction with pregnancy follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All women who control their pregnancy in the primary care centers of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Care (ASSIR; Atención a la Salut Sexual i Reproductiva) of Mutua Terrassa, Barcelona (Spain)
• The women must present a positive value in the mental health screening performed at the beginning of the pregnancy (weeks 12-14 of gestation).
• Verbal and written literacy understanding of Spanish
• ≥18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Women with diagnosed psychiatric pathology who are already being followed by the mental health team
• Women victims of gender-based violence who tested positive in the partner violence screen